Story Archive

What Would Hedwig Do?

Pat Rendle likes having hawks nesting near her Calgary, Alta., Canada, home. “The parents taking care of them, teaching them how to hunt. It’s just amazing,” she said. One thing, though: “Anyone in uniform is a target.” That includes mail carrier Rick Tobin, who has taken to carrying a tennis racket to fend off the raptors. “I know he doesn’t want to hurt me,” Tobin said. “He wants to scare me.” But a few years ago, a carrier in another community resorted to a bicycle helmet to protect himself from birds, and a hawk attacked him and broke it. Canada Post said it had modified service “due to a health and safety issue.” The birds were expected to leave soon for Argentina. (AC/Calgary Herald) ...Canadian winters: more effective than a tennis racket.