Endangered hawks back nesting on NMSU campus

A hawk species under federal protection is nesting at New Mexico State University for a fourth year in a row, reigniting concern about safety for the public and the birds.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that Swainson’s hawks have returned as students begin a new semester this week.

NMSU business management professor David Boje recently obtained a grant to buy 40 umbrellas that have been placed in containers in the vicinity of the nest.

Spray-painted signs advise people walking through the area to use an umbrella and then return it to a receptacle.

Officials say 13 people have recently reported being injured by swooping hawks.

Experts say the hawks could remain for as long as another month before migrating to Argentina for the winter.
(Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com)