RAPTORS ON THE RAMPAGE

Despite the fact that watch my pigeons like a HAWK when they are out today been a total disaster.
Firstly the youngsters were out and along came a cock falcon and took a bird like a shot right in front of me, then within the hour I went down to the loft and found a youngster freshly killed and half eaten by a sparrow hawk, just 4 feet from the loft, I couldn't see it from where I stand while working from home, its the only blind spot as there is a dip in the field stopping me seeing the very bottom of the loft.
It must have hit it while walking around the loft, the other youngsters were on the loft and must have watched but didn't fly off or anything, so its birds out same time tomorrow and lets see what happens.

Usually have early ones out this time of year, but not this year. Brutal Winter.
This is a migratory route for many birds. Many Raptors. Only bothersome ones (once the goshawks are through heading North) are the odd Peregrine and the Coopers. Merlins, Red Tailed hawks, Marsh Harriers, bald eagles etc not too much of a problem. young have access when weaned to a large aviary. They pick up what is around and threatening. Used a Swedish Hawk trap and caught Coopers. Quit killing them as another pair will just move in to their territory. Put a fridge magnet on the head of the caught ones and take them 30 miles away. Seems to work than a CD of an eagle Owl calling, CD's hanging from trees, stuff like that. but again, have had crows mob a young bird on the loft and injure it. Unusual. But like the crows around, they will give warning if a hawk is near. Assume I will lose some this year, name of the game.

PS. Raptors seem to have a set pattern I can usually figure that if a Cooper is around at a certain hour he will be back again close to the same time next day. So stagger the times out.

Hi halcanada, thanks or your info but Im sorry to say I am an expert on raptors this sort of thing happens almost every week here in Wales. Just mad at myself for not being on the ball enough today caught with my pants down, but that's it now it wont happen again.

Peregrines have been bashing us this season there are some lads who have lost 8 from the race team in a few short weeks while exercising getting them going for racing.

Wales has the largest population per square mile of peregrines in the world is my guess, and that's a fact there are 12 nest sites I know of within 10 miles, all with a pair or 2 pairs at some sites and thats without un mated last years and yearling falcons, who can guess how many that's is.
Mental.

Thanks for the info. As stated Peregrines are not populous around here. Fortunately. I am not a Raptor expert. Sorry if I came across that way. Know my threats around here is all. With that many around surely there is a way to get rid of them? Cyanide a few tumblers?

There is ways and I would suggest that it is being implemented where possible, but most people are not in a position to do anything and must just bare it.

However that said without implying anything directly it will be sorted out soon at my lofts, but as you mentioned its always limited with the sparrow hawks as they move around so much, the bird which hit my youngster might have been passing through as I haven't seen any flying about here for a while, unlike the peregrines which are here daily.

Seems like you must be dedicated to racing! My problems are usually the four legged critters. Those I can do something about. Birds flying are on their own. Red tailed hawk, big and clumsy, hit my 600 mile winner when he was pecking gravel off the gravel roads we have here. Under a large Maple tree. He could of picked a lesser bird. Threw the bird in the woodpile and went in to the house disgusted. Pit bull was setting up a ruckus so let him out. Right to the wood pile and grabbed the redtail which had apparently watched me and came down to eat. Got the hawk but no joy as I lost a very good pigeon. Oh well. Wish you luck with your raptors.

sorry to hear this has happened martyn, I know you suffer badly with the problem where you are........hope you get it sorted quickly.

Thanks david, I hope it will be sorted tomorrow.....  

martyn.
my hart goes out to you.
most time am looking for cats. sorry for you guys in wales.
it must be a thought to let your bird out.
john

Thanks john, just the way it is mate, just do what we can..lol

dreading LETTING MY YBS OUT, THEY BEEN OUT FOR A LOOK AROUND BUT A BIT WORRIED FOR WHEN THEY EVENTUALLY TAKE OFF..........