School principal warns families after student attacked by hawk

A student was attacked by a hawk while walking in the Radisson neighbourhood of Winnipeg, the principal of Transcona Collegiate said in a letter to parents last week.

The note said a hawk was nesting in the area of McMeans Avenue West and Hoka Street and struck a student in the head Thursday afternoon.

“We just wanted to make you and our students aware as a precautionary measure… this does not happen often and there is no reason to fear birds/hawks,” the May 23 letter said.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS A nest that appears to be devoid of activity is located near the area where a Transcona Collegiate student was walking and was struck in the head by a hawk. — MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

A nest that appears to be devoid of activity is located near the area where a Transcona Collegiate student was walking and was struck in the head by a hawk.

“Some hawk species may be more aggressive than others during the breeding season and will swoop down to protect their nests when perceived threatened. This aggressive behaviour should be limited to the time when the young are in the nest.”

A spokesman for the River East Transcona School Division had no further information on the incident Monday afternoon.

Since January, Manitoba Conservation has received five reports of falcon incidents in Winnipeg, four of which involved the site of Thursday’s attack, a provincial spokesperson said in an email. In 2023, 10 falcon incidents were reported in Winnipeg.

The spokesperson said Manitoba Conservation is in the process of putting up signs to warn residents in the area, as the removal of falcons, their nestlings and nests is prohibited by law.