‘It felt like someone had really long nails’: Owl attacks Halifax runner on trail

It is not unusual to spot wildlife while exploring Halifax’s popular trails, but for one local runner, her evening jog took an unexpected and startling turn.

Hannah Baillie was running on the Chain of Lakes Trail when she spotted an owl hidden behind branches on a tree.

After sharing a picture of the bird, she continued jogging, when she felt a sudden impact on her head.

“The owl hit me in the back of my head, and I didn’t notice at first. I thought maybe someone was trying to get my attention,” Baillie said.

The owl struck Baillie harder the second time and followed her down the trail.

“It felt like someone had really long nails and they were grabbing the back of your head and sort of scrapping the nails down your scalp and then pulling on your ponytail at the same time,” Baillie said.

Baillie said she screamed, which caught the attention of others on the trail who came to her and helped scare the owl away. She said there were no injuries from the incident.

She called Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources & Renewables (DNRR) to let them know in case they were tracking incidents, but they informed that incidents like these are rare.

“They’re not very common,” said Butch Galvez, wildlife technician with DNRR. “In my 20 years at the department, I’ve only seen or heard of three incidents.”

Chain of Lakes Trail in Halifax is pictured. (Source: Hafsa Arif/CTV News Atlantic)

When these incidents do occur, it usually involves joggers, according to experts.

“The owls [are] letting people know that that’s their space,” said Hope Swinimer, wildlife rescuer. “Trying to avoid certain times of the day is important. Owls tend to be very active through the night.”

Swinimer said owls may also mistake people as prey.

“I think this behaviour is more related to protecting their territory. It could also be that they see a ponytail or a hat as a movement of food,” Swinimer said.

DNRR plans to monitor the area and is considering installing signs to warn trail-users about the aggressive bird. They also advise joggers to wear hats and stay vigilant while running during low-light hours.

Baillie says she will continue using the trail but will be much more cautious in the future. 

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