Visitors to McCollum Park near Everett have reported a string of unexpected aerial confrontations with an "aggressive" owl, Snohomish County officials have warned. As per KING 5, signs have been erected at the park cautioning people of the recent owl attacks, with the bird reported to be "dive bombing" unwary visitors.
An owl is apparently turning McCollum Park into a no-fly zone for humans. According to an alert from the Snohomish County Parks Department, obtained by KIRO 7, the owl's dive-bombing efforts are focused on trail-goers.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has indicated that territorial behavior among owls is not uncommon in Washington state or across North America. As mentioned by KING 5, these incidents tend to occur at night or in the early morning, and before getting too close for comfort, the owls will often hoot as a warning. Though these owl attacks are rare, they are a fact of life, or at least a fact of walking through this particular park.
The WDFW's advice, echoed by county officials, is for anyone who finds themselves in the flight path of an owl to first try waving their arms to deter the bird. If that fails, it's advised to then cover your head and face for protection. "If an owl does appear to be coming down to attack someone," authorities told The Seattle Times, "wave your arms to deter the bird and protect your head." For those who experience an encounter with the feathered assailant, the county has provided a number to report repeated attacks: 877-933-9847.
