Police have been called to a Moray beauty spot following claims that hunters have been “intimidating” nature lovers amid an ongoing wildfowling row.
Birdwatcher Claudia Matheson says that shooters at Findhorn Bay deliberately discharged their firearms over her head in such a way that pellets “rained down” on her.
She had been observing flocks of migrating geese when the alleged incident happened on Monday, and called the police.
Mrs Matheson, who has previously called for shooting to be outlawed at the nature reserve, believes she was the victim of a “clear act of intimidation”.
She tracked down and confronted the men who had fired their guns, but they fled the vicinity before officers arrived.
Mrs Matheson said: “Since that happened I’ve heard about other people having similar problems but not reporting it.
“I was so angry and surprised by it, I had a high-visibility vest on so there’s no way I wasn’t seen.
“I think they were trying to send a message that I shouldn’t have been there.”
The Friends of Findhorn Bay group has been fighting for a ban on wildfowling at the coastal spot – saying the practice conflicts with its status as a nature haven.
Last month, Moray Council tasked the committee in charge of the reserve with finding a compromise between the hunters and the protesters.
The authority says it will only move forward with a bylaw to regulate the pastime if it knows its terms will not be contested by either side.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation has previously conceded that the “number and behaviour” of wildfowlers at the bay had become a cause for concern.
The hunting group previously banjaxed a voluntary agreement which limited shooting at certain parts of the bay, by claiming it was “unnecessarily restrictive” and encouraging members to ignore it.
But the organisation has pledged to help find a solution to the divisive wrangle, and said it would support a bylaw regulating the practice.
A police spokeswoman yesterday confirmed the force was aware of the recent incident, and said that “suitable advice” had been provided at the scene.
