Reporter's notebook: Fireworks for the birds

PORTALES — If your idyllic stroll through the Eastern New Mexico University campus tonight is interrupted by a series of loud popping sounds, you have nothing to fear — unless you’re a bird.

The university’s physical plant will be performing a series of “bird scares” with fireworks, a tactic ENMU Vice President of Business Affairs Scott Smart said discourages birds from congregating around buildings.

“They usually collect around the College of Business. There’s a row of trees along the edge of that building — I think they’re like Cypress trees — and at certain times of the year, they’ll just get a large pack or gaggle of birds there, and they’re a lot of noise and a lot of mess,” he said.

The fireworks are set to take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in three separate areas: The bookstore, the physical plant and the College of Business.

— Compiled by Staff Writer Eamon Scarbrough