Found a hawk nesting in my bucket truck at a job site in Fresno

I pulled up to a removal on Maple Avenue last Tuesday and heard this loud screeching from the top of the boom. Turns out a red-tailed hawk built a nest right in the bucket, and it was NOT happy about me climbing up to check the hydraulic lines. Took me 45 minutes and a borrowed extension ladder to work around it, so my question is, how do you guys handle wildlife that sets up shop in your equipment mid-season?

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dakota_taylor392d ago

Red-tailed hawks are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so messing with that nest or the eggs could land you a hefty fine, not just an angry bird. People forget that part until Fish and Wildlife shows up. You might want to check if the nest is actually active, like if there's eggs or chicks in it, because that changes everything. If it is active, your best bet is to park the truck a safe distance away and wait it out, usually six to eight weeks, which stinks but beats a legal headache. A buddy of mine had a similar deal with an owl in his excavator cab and he ended up building a temporary perch nearby with a board and some rope, which actually worked. Your mileage may vary, but calling your local wildlife rehabber for advice before you move anything might save you a lot of trouble.