Purdue suggests pedestrian precautions during hawk nesting season
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University officials advise pedestrians to take precautions when traveling in identified red-tailed hawk nesting areas, such as Purdue Village and Discovery Park.
The beginning of spring routinely triggers more aggressive behavior as hawks begin mating and nesting on campus. Pedestrians are encouraged to exercise caution, remain aware of their surroundings and carry an umbrella as a precautionary measure.
"An open umbrella acts as both a deterrent to, and shield against, hawks," said Gary Evans, director of grounds. "It is important to be alert and take particular care in nesting areas."
Some red-tailed hawks that have demonstrated aggressive behavior during previous nesting seasons have been relocated, but hawks tend to return to the same area each spring to nest. Some have been recently sighted in the Purdue Village and Discovery Park areas.
Using a management plan specifically developed for this protected species, the Purdue grounds department is proactively working to deter red-tailed hawks from building nests on campus and encouraging them to move to a new location in hopes of minimizing aggressive behaviors.
For more information, contact the grounds department at 765-494-3087.
Writer: Jeanne Norberg, 765-494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu
Sources: Gary Evans, 765-494-0139, gkevans@purdue.edu
Judy Loven, Indiana state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services 765-494-6229, loven@purdue.edu