DENVER — Joggers and walkers along the popular trail that circles Sloan’s Lake are, in many cases, being startled and even attacked by a blackbird at one section of the trail.
“It’s happened to me at least eight times through here,” runner Penny Pelak told Denver7.
The bird swoops down from atop the bushes at the north side of the lake, near Raleigh Street, coming up from behind unsuspecting pedestrians. It flaps its wings and makes noise at that person, surprising many. Denver7 was there as this happened a half dozen times in only a half hour.
“He’s dive-bombing her,” park-goer Barbara Millman said, watching what was going on.
“It’s scary because birds are kinda scary and I’m not trying to get attacked by a bird,” another trail walker who did not want to be identified said.
Karl Brummert, executive director for The Audubon Society of Greater Denver, identified the bird as a male red-winged blackbird. He also cleared up what might be going on.
“It might be protecting its nest. They usually nest along lake shores like this or ponds,” he said. “There’s probably nothing to be worried about. It’s a pretty small bird.”
Brummert said this isn’t common, but it’s not uncommon either. He pointed to a situation within the last few years outside a Littleton Chick-Fil-A where a blackbird was attacking customers.
“For some reason this one is just very protective,” he said.
