Give us peace... diving dove has posties in a flap
POSTIES are used to signs warning “Beware of the Dog” – but in one sleepy village they risk being dive-bombed by a dove.
The over-friendly bird is so tame he swoops on the heads of anyone venturing into a tiny road he regards as his territory.
He sees the close of eight bungalows in Long Stratton, Norfolk, as his personal fiefdom and goes particularly potty when visitors enter any front gardens.
The collared dove, nicknamed Ringo by some locals and Harold by others, first appeared last spring and has since become a fixture.
Postman Neil Davies got in such a flap at Ringo’s antics that some householders installed mailboxes at the end of their paths to save him from having to leave the pavement.
Yesterday Royal Mail colleague Alison Preston was covering Neil’s round and allowed Ringo to ride on her head while she delivered the letters in St Michael’s Road.
Alison, 51, said: “I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s very friendly – though some of the neighbours don’t like him and nor does Neil.
“He’ll come right up to you and sit on your head if you let him. When I’ve done all the letters he follows me down the road to see me off.”
Residents hope that Ringo will soon find a lady friend and stop being so attached to humans.
One said: “I hope he finds a partner because doves mate for life. Then perhaps he’ll be settled.”
Resident Joan Angier, 71, said: “When he first appeared he was young and skinny but he got fed and became so tame.
“He’s a lovely bird and we all love him around here. I just think the postman has a phobia of him.”
Neighbour Adrian Trowbridge, 72, said Ringo has even flown into his living room and sat on the TV.
Adrian said: “He’s a friendly bird but he just has that annoying habit of sitting on your shoulder or head.
“As for the postman, I have heard of them being put off by dogs – but never by a dove.”
Most of the villagers agree that Ringo is a distinguished resident with his black collar, grey plumage and distinctive red eyes.
Collared doves are originally from Asia but are now a common sight in British gardens after spreading rapidly across Europe in the 1950s.
Royal Mail spokesman Henry Perry said: “While this all seems fun we take dog, bird and animal attacks very seriously. Animals have caused very serious injuries to our staff.”
ADOVE has been dive-bombing visitors to Long Stratton, Norfolk – so much for the bird of peace. Or as we must put it from now on: unleash the doves of war!