Posted with permission from the Hamilton Spectator
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Jul 16, 2013
Don’t turn your back on the bird unless you want a peck of trouble
ByBill Dunphy
Hamilton's Waterfront Trail has long been known as a great spot for strolling, biking and blading — but along one stretch, it's also a great spot for close encounters with angry birds.
An unknown number of female red-winged blackbirds are nesting in a stand of scrub brush and alder on the beach side of the trail near Kinsmen Park, and the lone male who's staked out that territory is being kept very busy scaring away a steady stream of two-legged intruders.
From his perch, the bird will emit a series of warning clucks, sending out the alarm to his mates — and to his potential target. As soon as the victim's back is to the bird, he attacks, swooping down in a dive bombing run that often falls just shy of actual contact with his victim's head.
"He's been doing this since June," said Stoney Creek's Brad Jerome as he prepared to run the gauntlet.
Jerome, who walks or jogs the trail almost daily, said the bird staked out the same turf last year.
Neighbourhood children have posted a warning sign on a bench at one end, and chalked dire warnings on the trail itself at the other.
"The evil bird will peck you!" is accompanied by a drawing of a bird descending on a cowering girl.
This is likely the birds' second brood of the season, so the attacks should taper off in a couple of weeks once the babies leave their nests.
bdunphy@thespec.com
905-526-3262 | @BillAtTheSpec
Check out the pictures added in the article;
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/3893633-waterfront-trail-walkers-playing-angry-birds-for-real/
_______________________________________________
Jul 16, 2013
Don’t turn your back on the bird unless you want a peck of trouble
ByBill Dunphy
Hamilton's Waterfront Trail has long been known as a great spot for strolling, biking and blading — but along one stretch, it's also a great spot for close encounters with angry birds.
An unknown number of female red-winged blackbirds are nesting in a stand of scrub brush and alder on the beach side of the trail near Kinsmen Park, and the lone male who's staked out that territory is being kept very busy scaring away a steady stream of two-legged intruders.
From his perch, the bird will emit a series of warning clucks, sending out the alarm to his mates — and to his potential target. As soon as the victim's back is to the bird, he attacks, swooping down in a dive bombing run that often falls just shy of actual contact with his victim's head.
"He's been doing this since June," said Stoney Creek's Brad Jerome as he prepared to run the gauntlet.
Jerome, who walks or jogs the trail almost daily, said the bird staked out the same turf last year.
Neighbourhood children have posted a warning sign on a bench at one end, and chalked dire warnings on the trail itself at the other.
"The evil bird will peck you!" is accompanied by a drawing of a bird descending on a cowering girl.
This is likely the birds' second brood of the season, so the attacks should taper off in a couple of weeks once the babies leave their nests.
bdunphy@thespec.com
905-526-3262 | @BillAtTheSpec
Check out the pictures added in the article;
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/3893633-waterfront-trail-walkers-playing-angry-birds-for-real/