Swainsons Hawk- Page 1

Issue of Swainsons Hawks on NMSU campus

Cherish Vigil
New Mexico State University
English 218
April 20, 2017
 Swainsons Hawk- Page 2

Table of Contents

Introduction..3
Data..3
Step by Step Representation5
Interview..6
Conclusion...7

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to shed some light on a problem New Mexico State

University has been dealing with over the last couple of years. Leading it to inform more

students and staff about the situation. Very few students are aware of the issue with the hawks

(myself included before my assignment). If the people on NMSU campus were more informed

about the hawks and where they nested their babies I believe no one would have been injured in

the first place. Having posters and signs around the nesting area would send caution to the people

walking by. This report will talk about the issue and the resolution New Mexico State University

came up with, the steps people could take to spot the actual Swainsons Hawk itself, and the

steps people could take to make sure hawks/birds/raptors etc., dont nest in their property/ yard.

Reading this you will think removing the hawk is the best decision for NMSU but turning it into

an educational opportunity for students is an even better decision.

 Swainsons Hawk- Page 3

New Mexico State University: Swainsons Hawks

Being that I am a student at NMSU, I found out that the University has been having a

hawk problem on campus for the last couple of years. This situation arose when the hawks

nested, had babies, and started to become very aggressive. These hawks happened to nest in a

tree near Rentfrow Gym on NMSU campus, where a heavy amount of students/staff walk every

day. Steve Ramirez, a journalist for Las Cruces Sun-news said, Officials have been trying to

find a way to prevent pedestrians getting hurt

on campus while also trying to make sure the

Hawks stay unharmed. (Ramirez, 2016)

First off, Id like to share some facts and a

little background information about the

Swainsons Hawk so youll get a better feel for the type of animal they are. Then, I shall go into

more detail such as sharing an interview I had with Joni Newcomer, who is very well known for

being involved with the hawks on NMSU campus.

Background on Swainsons Hawks

A classic species of the open country of the Great Plains and the West, Swainsons

Hawks soar on narrow wings or perch on fence posts and irrigation spouts. These elegant gray,

white, and brown hawks hunt rodents, wings held in a shallow V, or even run after insects on the

ground. In fall, they take off for Argentine wintering grounds, one of the longest migrations of

any American raptor, forming flocks of hundreds or thousands as they travel. HABITAT:

Swainsons Hawks favor open habitats for foraging, while relying on scattered stands of trees

near agricultural fields and grasslands for nesting sites. (Cornell University, 2015) FOOD:
 Swainsons Hawk- Page 4

Swainsons Hawks eat mainly mammals and insects. When theyre not breeding, Swainsons

Hawks rely almost exclusively on insect prey, especially crickets, grasshoppers, and dragonflies,

often catching and eating them on the wing. (Cornell University, 2015) BEHAVIOR: Breeding

birds are aggressive around the nest site and

chase off intruders, including Red-tailed Hawks,

American Kestrels, Turkey Vultures, and

Golden Eagles. NESTING: Male Swainsons

Hawks choose the nest site, usually near the top

of a solitary tree or in a small grove of trees

along a stream. Pairs often build nests in

shelterbelts or other trees located near

agricultural fields and pastures where they feed.

(National Audubon Society, 2017)

NUMBERS: Per the North American Breeding

Bird Survey, Swainsons Hawk numbers have

been stable overall, with a slight increase between 1966 and 2015. Partners in Flight, estimates

the global breeding population at 580,000, with 73% breeding in the U.S., 20% in Canada, and

6% in Mexico. MIGRATION: Long-distance migrant. Starting in late August and September,

nearly the whole population of Swainsons Hawks migrates from North America to Argentina, a

roundtrip of more than 12,000 miles for the northernmost breeds. The migration path narrows as

the birds move south and north, creating phenomenal hawk-watching opportunities at known

migratory points in Texas, Mexico, and Central America. (Cornell University, 2015)

HOW TO IDENTYFY A SWAINSONS HAWK

 Swainsons Hawk- Page 5

1. Look for long wings that reach tail rip.

2. Wings must be long, slim and pointed at all times.

3. Gliding overhead, wings appear falcon like, sharply pointed and projecting well past back
edge of the wings creating an M shaped silhouette.

4. Gliding at eye-level, wings droop and appear Osprey-like but shorter and more pointed.

WAYS TO STOP BIRDS FROM NESTING

1. Mount a plastic predator somewhere. The sight of it can scare the bird from the area and

keep them from inhabiting. Move the plastic predator periodically, so the bird does not

become accustomed, rendering it ineffective (Predators of

the hawk include great-horned owls, raccoons and red foxes).

2. Hang reflective bird diverters from strings at three or four

locations. The reflectors have appliques that mimic the eyes of

predators. The movements of the diverters scare the birds and

keep them from nesting.

3. Cut reflective flash tape in different lengths, and hang it from

string around the perimeter. The sound created when the tape

moves in the wind and the tapes reflective properties will

make birds avoid the area.

 Swainsons Hawk- Page 6

4. Install sound deterrents around the area. You can mount the weatherproof speakers on the

roof with wood screws or in trees. Plug the control unit into an outlet, set the volume and

choose the bird species you want to scare from the area. The sounds of birds in distress

and their predators play through the speakers periodically to warn other birds of

impending danger in the area.

5. Stuff pieces of copper scouring pads into any small opening. The pads are made from

copper netting and will not rust or splinter like steel wool. Filling the holes with copper

netting keeps birds from building nests in small openings.

CAUTION: Although I have listed ways above to stop birds/hawks/raptors etc., from nesting in

different areas I advise everyone to be cautious when deciding to do so. When it comes to hawks

if even one egg gets laid inside the nest, federal law prevents any officials from removing the

hawk and/or its nest from anyones possession. The hawks are protected by the federal (MBTA)

Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This Act was first enacted in 1916 in order to implement the

convention for the protection of migratory birds between the United States and Great Britain

Campus Interview

I had the opportunity to interview Ms. Joni Newcomer. Newcomer is New Mexico State

Universitys manager of Environmental Policy and Sustainability. I set up the interview with

Newcomer because she has seen it all; right outside her office window is where the hawks have

nested and hatched their babies. Newcomer has worked on campus with other professors to try to

find a solution to the hawks on campus. Newcomer gave me a little insight to the history on

campus with the hawks. She said the first year the hawks appeared on campus they would fly
 Swainsons Hawk- Page 7

down and swoop at people walking by. The second year, the hawks got really aggressive with

people and then the third year is when faculty of the University decided to cut the branch down

and get rid of the hawk nest. This is when the University almost ended up getting a fee from

disturbing the hawk and its nest. The hawk had already laid its eggs in the nest which made it a

federal law stated by the MBTA to try and remove it. In my opinion the University has made

some improvement in dealing with this situation. (Newcomer, 2017) From trying to remove the

hawk and its nest altogether to now, NMSU faculty has excepted the fact that the hawk is on

campus and is now trying to make it as educational for students as possible. Newcomer expanded

and started to tell me about ways they are trying to make that happen. Her Sustainability Council

who volunteered to help has gotten an artist on campus to design information and signs for

people who walk along Rentfrow Gym. Along with donating umbrellas for the students and staff

when passing by the hawks, such as a shield of protection. (Boje, 2017)

In closing, although the University first wanted and tried to get rid of the majestic wild

hawks that were on campus, because of the problems that kept arising, staff and volunteers have

finally come to a decision to turn this situation into an educational one instead of a bad one.

During my interview with Ms. Newcomer she had mentioned that her and her volunteer group

with an addition of a few other professors on campus were trying to get a camera posted up

somewhere where students/staff would be able to watch and learn about these hawks. There are

so many animal and wild life majors on campus that could use this as a complete and new

opportunity to learn. As long as the students/staff and visitors on campus get the right

information about the Hawks and learn that they do not like to be taunted and/or teased this

could turn into a great learning experience for New Mexico State University and its students.
 Swainsons Hawk- Page 8

References

Boje, D. (n.d.). DONATE BY CLICKING HERE. Retrieved April 26, 2017, from

http://davidboje.com/hawk/

Newcomer, J. (2017, April 12). Swainson's Hawks on NMSU campus [Personal interview].

Ramirez, S. (2016, April 15). Hawk problem continues to plague NMSU. Retrieved April 26,

2017, from http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/2016/04/14/hawk-problem-

continues-plague-nmsu/83051640/

Ramirez, S. (2016, August 20). Swainson's hawks remain at NMSU. Retrieved April 26, 2017,

from http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/2016/08/19/swainsons-hawks-remain-

nmsu/89014774/

Swainson's Hawk. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2017, from

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swainsons_Hawk/lifehistory

Swainson's Hawk. (2016, March 04). Retrieved April 26, 2017, from

http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/swainsons-hawk
Swainsons Hawk- Page 9