Pensioner, 69, left with blood pouring down her face after being knocked to the ground by a seagull in her garden

 A pensioner was left with blood pouring down her face after she was knocked to the ground by a seagull in her garden.

Rhiannon Fennell was knocked to the ground in the brutal strike, says she thought a ‘brick had fallen’ on her head

The 69-year-old, who moved from Africa to Prestatyn, North Wales, says the seagulls she has to face are more of a threat than the continent’s ‘dangerous animals’.

With blood pouring down her face, she was at first left baffled about what could have happened.

But as she picked herself off the floor, she realised that she had been pecked on the head by one of the birds nesting in the chimney pot of the house next door.

Rhiannon Fennell was left bloodied (pictured) after a savage bird swooped down from her roof and attacked her in her garden

The 69-year-old, from Prestatyn, north Wales, was knocked to the ground in the brutal strike, says she thought a ‘brick had fallen’ on her head

Despite initially being confused – she soon realised she had been pecked on the head by one of the birds nesting in the chimney pot of the house next door

She said: ‘I went out through the back door to go to the shed and as soon as I stepped foot outside, the seagull swept down and hit me over the head. 

‘I thought a brick had fallen on my head as I was knocked to the ground.

‘It was quite vicious really, it pecked on my head and I couldn’t see because the blood had run down my face and over my glasses. 

‘I lived in Africa for thirty years where they have all sorts of dangerous animals and I was never attacked. Now I’m living in Prestatyn and I get attacked by a seagull!’

Mrs Fennell, who has lived in Prestatyn for 26 years, says the problem has gotten worse in recent years with seemingly more seagulls nesting further inland. 

With a few cuts and bruises, she says she has now recovered from the terrifying experience.

But Mrs Fennell, who lives next door to young children, wants to warn others, especially parents, to be vigilant – especially at a time when seagulls can be extra protective of their chicks.

Speaking to the Rhyl Journal, she added that people should go out with hard hats or umbrellas because of the ‘vandal’ birds.

Mrs Fennell, who has lived in Prestatyn for 26 years, says the problem has gotten worse in recent years with seemingly more seagulls nesting further inland

Speaking to the Rhyl Journal , she added that people should go out with hard hats or umbrellas because of the ‘vandal’ birds. Pictured: Prestatyn seafront

She continued: ‘When I got inside I washed away the blood and put some antiseptic cream on it and took some painkillers. 

‘It seems the gulls are more aggressive at this time of the year because they’re protecting their chicks. 

‘The gulls have been nesting on the roof for years, but the problem seems to be getting worse. 

‘I just hope people take care with their children as these birds can do some damage.’