In Calgary’s northeast community of Coventry, residents have shared their space with some rowdy new neighbours.
No, the Trailer Park Boys have not moved in.
In fact, the new neighbours would have Julian spilling his rum and coke from fearful running, and Bubbles wouldn’t need his glasses to see this trouble coming!
Local residents are like darting squirrels whenever they walk outdoors with nesting hawks on patrol protecting their nests.
Osama Sofan, who lives next to the tree where the hawks have nested, told Global News that the community is on alert whenever they step outside, constantly wary of the hawks circling above.
“If anyone moves, the hawk squeaks and dives on them,” he said.
While the image of people running to their cars to avoid being swooped by an angry bird is a bit comical, the hawks genuinely do some damage, as you can see to the right.
Several incidents of hawk attacks in the area have been reported on social media, with some residents suffering minor injuries to their heads and necks.
Even the local mail carrier, Terry White, hasn’t been spared from the hawks’ aggressive behaviour. “I had him swoop me on Friday,” White shared.
Despite calls from some residents to relocate the nest or remove the hawks altogether, others advocate leaving the birds undisturbed.
“They’re protecting their young,” said local Jayna Pattison.
“They’re doing what they’re supposed to do and then we get people who are interfering with that.”
Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services says this behaviour is typical during nesting season when hawks aggressively defend their nests and young.
“If you encounter a raptor like a hawk,” advises Fish and Wildlife, “keep a respectful distance, especially around their nests. If young birds fall out of nests, it’s best to leave them alone as their parents will defend them aggressively.”
However, when their nest is in your front yard, keeping that distance can be a challenge.
However, since we have taken up so much space that hawks are now being forced to find unusually busy nesting spots, navigating these spots with some care is really the best we can do to allow them to thrive.
Even if they’re far from ‘neighbourly.”
Keeping children and pets supervised and maintaining a safe distance from the nest areas is key for residents.
With some caution, coexisting is likely possible in this case.
So, if you find yourself ducking and weaving on your way to the car, it might be the newest hawk-dodging workout trend sweeping Coventry.
Stay nimble out there, folks! And don’t spill your drinks!
