Flamstead: Warning after boy attacked by village hawk

The parish council confirmed that the appointed falconer was "making excellent progress" to legally and humanely trap the hawk following warnings it could be "euthanised".

The Harris Hawk has attacked more than 50 villagers. (Image: Submitted) Despite this, encounters are becoming more frequent and the bird of prey is now aiming for women and children.

On March 30, Dylan, 11, was walking back home from the village's recreation ground when he saw the hawk flying overhead.

He started to run as it was getting lower but it still managed to scratch his head with its claws.

His mother Nicola, said: "I fear it would have been worse had he not been running as it would have been able to get a better grip.

"Dylan was shaken up as until this point it was only attacking adults and he spends a lot of time playing out with friends in the village.

"One of the great things about Flamstead is kids being able to play outside safely especially as the weather is better now, we don’t want them scared or hurt."

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Villager Jess Ann McLaughlin also shared an incident where the hawk swooped on her and a boy while they walked back from school.

The Harris Hawk (top right) has been spotted looming over the village school. (Image: Submitted) Later the same day, another boy she was looking after was clawed as he played football.

One resident who wished to remain anonymous feared the bird had become "more aggressive in the last few days."

"It has started swooping down at children and that whatever they’re doing to catch it needs to be scaled up because the current plan is not working," they added.

Residents are advised not to feed the Harris Hawk.