Florida golf course recommends umbrellas to ward off dive-bombing hawks

Feb. 17 (UPI) -- A Florida golf course posted signs advising golfers to carry umbrellas to ward off attacks from territorial hawks.

The Orange Tree Golf Club in Orlando said nesting hawks have been known to attack members in some areas of the course around this time of year, and one golfer has already had to get stitches this year after being cut by a bird of prey's talons.

The course said three or four people where attacked last year, and one had to get staples in her head to close the wound.

Signs posted around the course read: "Caution! Aggressive nesting hawk in the area. Take an alternate walking route. Umbrella advisable!"

"Beware it is hawk nesting time of year again and the hawks may be territorial," the club said in a Facebook post. "They have been known to dive down and hit neighbors and members causing cuts and even stitches to the scalp. Please stay aware. A suggested protection solution is to use an umbrella in areas marked with hawk activity."

Dianna Flynt, rehabilitation supervisor for Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, said hawks are usually not dangerous to humans.

"Spring is nesting season for hawks, so birds are coming together to build nests and families," Flynt told WKMG-TV. "Nesting season is the only time of year that hawks are aggressive, because they are trying to protect their nest and see humans as predators."