Hawk Departs Library In Toms River After Closures

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A hawk that had perched in the windows at the Ocean County Library's main branch in Toms River appears to have left the building.

Sherri Taliercio, a spokeswoman for the library system, said workers and avian experts searched the library extensively Friday and found no sign the bird was still inside.

The hawk initially was identifed as a first-year male red-tailed hawk, Taliercio said, when it was originally seen in the building on Monday evening.

"It could have also been a Cooper hawk but the authorities never got close enough to definitively come to that conclusion," she said.

Taliercio said library officials consulted with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, who recommended avian experts to determine a method of safe rescue and removal.

The branch was shut down Monday night and all day Tuesday, then closed again Thursday afternoon into Friday as a safety precaution as the avian experts set humane traps and facilities staffers searched crawl spaces above ceilings for clues to the bird’s whereabouts, she said.

On Friday, they searched thoroughly but officials found no sign of the bird inside.

"The library is hopeful that all of the efforts taken to keep the hawk safe and assist it in exiting the building were successful," Taliercio said. "Hawks were seen flying around the library building yesterday evening and this morning. "

No word on whether he checked out any books on his way out.