DENVER — Run at your own risk.
If you ever wanted to feel like an extra from the Alfred Hitchcock thriller "The Birds," take a jog around Sloan (or Sloan's -- that debate is for another story) Lake.
"I got dive bombed by a red-winged blackbird," said Melanie Lewis.
On Monday, Next watched as a red-winged blackbird dive bombed walkers and joggers on the north side of Sloan Lake's sidewalk trail.
"It seems like this time of year, in the early summer, they like to protect their nests which are over here, so they like to, kind of, buzz you," said Lewis. "One time, I felt the little talons in my hair, but nothing too bad."
"We were one of the first that noticed the pattern," said neighbor Terry Tomsick. "We would actually have a little bit of a guessing game as to who he was going to attack next."
According to Tomsick, the bird buzzing has been happening for about six weeks.
It happened to this reporter on Thursday, a thump right in the back of the head.
9NEWS anchor/reporter Ryan Haarer said this happened to him three weeks ago.
"It was not too hard to profile the victims because the victims were all blonde, traveling east, usually with ponytails," said Tomsick. "His preferred type is becoming less discriminatory. He's now going after men and people going west instead of east."
Basically, if you're running on the inside part of the sidewalk, closest to the lake, you are at risk of having your head bird buzzed.
"So far, he pretty much has stayed away from people with dogs, no bicycles. Mostly it's female runners, joggers and he likes them if they're single."
Meaning alone, not…well, just alone.
"It seems to be just one male bird," said Tomsick. "He is protecting his next, as well as attracting females. He's totally showing off."
Tomsick is concerned both for unsuspecting walkers and joggers, but also for the bird. She doesn't want anyone coming out to harm the nest defender.
"It could be a Dateline: NBC," said Tomsick.
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