TWITCHERS have been flocking to a village after a spate of attacks on dog walkers revealed the nesting location of a pair of rare birds.

The male and female eagle owls are thought to have settled outside Dunsop Bridge, in the Trough of Bowland, a year ago.

However, bird watchers only became aware of them when they hatched three chicks and began to protect their nest by swooping on people out walking their dogs.

Lancashire County Council and the police then closed the footpath between Foot Holme and Whitendale Farm, which passed near the owl's nest.

Word quickly spread via websites and the village has been inundated with twitchers from across the country hoping to catch a glimpse of the birds.

Police are making daily visits to check on the safety of the birds - and the bird watchers.

PC Nick Mattock, eastern division wildlife officer, said: "This is territorial behaviour from the parents, who see dogs as a threat to their young.

"The chicks have now left the nest and are pottering about on their own so the protective zone for the parents has grown.

"We have been asking dog walkers not to bring their animals up here. The problem has been that the location got out on internet forums and more people have been coming down, so there have been more attacks."

Eagle owls are not native to England but more and more sightings are being recorded. The Dunsop Bridge birds are thought to have escaped from captivity as one has a leather strap on its leg.

Walker Kelly Leonard, from Bolton, had brought dogs Blue, Fudge and Oryx with her to see the owls. The 27-year-old teacher said: "We felt a sense of trepidation coming up here. It's just a shame we couldn't see anything after climbing to the top of the hill!"

Despite the fact adult birds are knee-high to a human in height and have a two-metre wing span, the black and brown owls are well camouflaged against the surrounding shrubs and heather.

Twitchers have had to carry binoculars and telescopes up the three-mile path to see the birds.

Enthusiast David Yates, from Preston, said: "It has been well worth the walk. There has been talk of trying to remove the birds because they are a nuisance but if someone stepped in your back garden you would have a word with them. It's just nature."

The rise in visitors to Dunsop Bridge has been of little benefit to the village's only eating establishment.

Owner of Puddleduck's Cafe, Trevor Rutherford said: "The twitchers are dedicated and tend to bring their own sandwiches.

"It has cause quite a stir though and we have had quite a few people in saying the birds have flown at them from behind."

PC Mattock said the path could be closed until October. He said: "We are trying to ensure the safety of the birds, keep the public out of harm and stop the illegal use of vehicles. People have been driving up to the site and it is a private road. Anyone using a car risks having their vehicle seized."