“Avoid confrontation”: UCF police advise students to give a nesting hawk her space

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — It’s not unusual for a bird to nest during spring, but it’s not everyday that that bird is a hawk whose nest is in the middle of a college campus courtyard.

The nest was spotted near a walkway at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

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The school put up a sign in the area warning passersby of the importance of giving mom her space.

“Please be advised that there is a hawk’s nest inside the atrium. A mother hawk will do its best to protect its nest! Please walk around the open area to avoid confrontation with the hawk.”

The UCF Police Department took to Twitter to spread news of the nest.

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“We’re flattered that a momma hawk chose to build her nest at @rosencollege!” the agency wrote in a tweet. “Hawks will do whatever it takes to protect their nest, so we’ve roped off the area around it to protect those walking by. Be careful and help us in sending well wishes to this momma and her babies!”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it receives reports of hawks diving at people each spring and summer in both urban and suburban areas.

“Most of these events occur during the nesting season and near an active nest where there are chicks or eggs,” FWC’s website said. “The birds view those people as threats to the nest and the babies.”

The agency said the birds will typically dive toward people but not make contact.

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“There have been injuries from these birds when they do make contact,” FWC said. “Reports show that the birds may dive at people as far as 150 feet away from their nests.”

All of Florida’s birds of prey are protected by federal and state law.

FWC offers these tips to avoid a confrontation:

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• Avoid areas near a nest if possible. If you must go through the area, carry an open umbrella or wear a hard hat.

• Temporarily erect a shade structure to obstruct a bird’s view of people and pets.

• Planting shrubbery can also provide cover for pets and birds visiting feeders.

• Sometimes air horns can be used to deter birds that start to dive.

• During the non-breeding season, trim branches to eliminate perches and help resolve recurring issues.

• Eliminate attractants that may attract prey such as rodents into your yard.

• Such items include unsecured garbage, fallen bird seed and pet food.

See photos of the nest below:

See a map of the college below:

Cox Media Group