Barred Owls Dive-Bomb Park Visitors

0:00Bard owls are back at it in Point Defiance Park, dive bombing joggers and hikers along five mile drive near the outer loop. It's nesting season, and these birds are fiercely protecting their young with territorial swoops. Park officials confirmed it in a social media post this Tuesday, calling it totally natural behavior. Park guide and bird expert Alex Holmes says, this ramps up every spring, especially with Bard owls more than great horn ones. They see runners as threats, and go low to scare them off. Hikers have reported it on trail sites too, dating back to early April. Folks are sharing wild stories. Like a volunteer whose hat got snatched mid run by an owl, had to switch his morning route. Bird photographer James Crandell hears about it constantly from neighbors, mostly targeting joggers and hats, though he's yet to catch it himself. Breeding peaks in March and April when eggs are laid, making them extra aggressive. Those advises giving them wide berth, tuning into their warning hisses and shrieks, and

1:01yeah, slap on a hat for head protection, maybe pack spares. So if you're hitting those part paths, stay sharp, respect the owl's space, and you'll dodge the drama while letting nature do its thing. That's your update from Vancouver News Today, powered by AI.