A nest from which bald eagles launch swooping attacks on passers-by near Unalaska's city hall will be taken down, but not till the eagles clear out on their own. The city had to get a federal permit to take down the nest when deep snow prevented its removal in late winter as usual, reports The Dutch Harbor Fisherman. A second nest on the route of a new pedestrian walkway will also be removed.

The nest of the attack eagle, who has dive-bombed several residents over the years, would be gone now, were it not for heavy snow that prevented workers from safely climbing to the site in February, [Unalaska city engineer Tyler Zimmerman] said. ...

When the snow finally melted enough, nesting season was under way with the birds first fixing up the nest, and then eggs were laid. So nothing can be done until the eagles leave the nest, probably in late August. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit requires 10 days of inactivity prior to nest removal, verified by 15 minutes of observation each day. Since the nest is conveniently located across from city hall, a city hall staffer will monitor the nest by looking out a window.

Unalaska resident Fred Elias, who has been attacked before, says his strategy when he walks near the nest is to "think good thoughts."

"I was thinking bad thoughts about someone. Then something hit me from behind. I thought someone had thrown something from a car at me. Then I saw the eagle swoop off. It swooped down like a dive bomber."

Read more at The Bristol Bay Times.