‘Aggressive’ hawks cause havoc in Calgary neighbourhood

Calgary residents successful nan northeast organization of Coventry are watching their backs and their heads aft immoderate “aggressive” hawks moved into nan neighbourhood past month.

Osama Sofan lives adjacent doorway to nan character lodging nan hawk’s nest. He said neighbours person spotted astatine slightest 2 aliases 3 hawks on pinch their offspring successful nan nest and group successful nan organization are cautious — moreover fearful — each clip they spell outside.

“We look astir and make judge it’s not nearby,” he told Global News. “Anybody moves and it (hawk) squeaks and dives connected him aliases her.”

“Last clip erstwhile he tried to onslaught maine — I felt nan air,” neighbour Nafees Javed concurred. “It was truthful strong.”

Local message bearer Terry White tin attest to that. He has besides faced nan hawk’s wrath and said he fears for everyone’s safety.

“I had him swoop maine connected Friday,” he said. “I sewage successful my van speedy enough, but he’s a bad boy.

A number of group successful nan area person reported connected societal media that they were attacked, immoderate suffering caput and cervix wounds. They said they’re concerned not only for themselves, but their pets and their children.

“I’m particularly worried astir kids and stuff,” Naved said.

Many area residents person called connected authorities to either move nan nest aliases get free of nan hawks altogether.

Jayna Pattison isn’t 1 of them, alternatively calling connected residents to time off nan birds alone.

“They’re protecting their young,” she said. “They’re doing what they’re expected to do and past we get group who are interfering pinch that.”

Avoiding hawk attacks

Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services told Global News it has not received immoderate reports of hawks attacking group successful Coventry Hills. However, officials said during this clip of year, it’s communal for hawks to dive-bomb arsenic they protect their young successful their nests.

“Many raptors, specified arsenic hawks, person an fierce nest defence and will dive-bomb group aliases pets erstwhile they consciousness threatened aliases uncomfortable.”

Residents are advised to do a number of things if they brushwood a raptor successful nan city:

• Keep yourself, children, and pets astatine a respectful region from raptor nests.
• If fledgling young autumn retired of nan nests, time off them alone. Raptors are protective parents and will dive-bomb to take sides their young.
• Do not let very mini dogs to play extracurricular unsupervised, and support cats indoors, particularly astatine night.