Sparrow Hawk
It’s not something I usually have too much of a problem with. I know there is a hen around but it generally doesn’t worry the birds that much. This afternoon I went up the garden and she was sat on top of the aviary. All the birds were near the back of the loft in their boxes. Once the hawk had gone they soon came back out into the aviary. I didn’t let them out this afternoon. When I finished work I went up the garden to do the birds and she was back on top of the aviary. Once again the birds were all back in their boxes. She flew off as soon as she saw me and after a few minutes the pigeons settled back down and seemed fairly unfazed. I’m not going to let them out tomorrow and am doubtful about racing this weekend. I think I would rather make sure they are settled again and the hawk has gone to nest. The race would only be from 34 miles and next weeks is still only about 80 miles. The youngsters should nearly all have been weaned by next weekend as well.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
You might be very wise, Andy.
That hawk has got your pigeons on her radar, and will be into them the minute you let them out.
One week won't matter.
Speaking of sparrow hawks, a couple of days ago at work I saw several magpies, (the big black and white Australians ones), hounding a sparrow hawk out under the canopy of the service station. It was jinking and diving, trying to get away from them. I thought it was going to hit the glass for a moment!
That hawk has got your pigeons on her radar, and will be into them the minute you let them out.
One week won't matter.
Speaking of sparrow hawks, a couple of days ago at work I saw several magpies, (the big black and white Australians ones), hounding a sparrow hawk out under the canopy of the service station. It was jinking and diving, trying to get away from them. I thought it was going to hit the glass for a moment!
Greetings from the land down under. 
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
I haven’t seen her around today but I have kept the birds in and had the aviary shut off so that no birds can go out into it. Will hopefully have them back out Sunday. They don’t seem too bothered today.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
Sure I have in the tree by me there is a strange call that sounds like a hawk chattering but have never seen what it is, I have said about one landing in the trees across the road in previous years but always been silent so no idea really
Sadies Lofts home of decent birds just a useless loft manager, and now a confirmed loser but proud
Sounds like a sensible idea Andy especially as the weather was looking unsettled this weekend and that next weeks race is still only 80 miles.
I lost my last bird about 3 or 4 weeks ago, for a few days after that I had trouble getting my birds to leave the loft !! There are still club members who have been hit more recently. They have a theory that the hens are later going down on eggs this year as there still isn't much leaf cover on trees and hedges so the birds are late nesting. I did have one which I think was the cock bird in my garden last week, it did fly at my youngsters but just scattered them without really making much attempt to catch them. I also had it fly over the garden last weekend while I was waiting for my race birds to arrive.
I lost my last bird about 3 or 4 weeks ago, for a few days after that I had trouble getting my birds to leave the loft !! There are still club members who have been hit more recently. They have a theory that the hens are later going down on eggs this year as there still isn't much leaf cover on trees and hedges so the birds are late nesting. I did have one which I think was the cock bird in my garden last week, it did fly at my youngsters but just scattered them without really making much attempt to catch them. I also had it fly over the garden last weekend while I was waiting for my race birds to arrive.
I have to say that I've never heard the Sparrow hawks here make any sound, they are usually silent and come out of nowhere
The only time I hear them is when there calling each other in the air but just do not recognise the call of whatever this is that is why I say like a hawk squawk
Sadies Lofts home of decent birds just a useless loft manager, and now a confirmed loser but proud
I let the birds out again for the first time since having the hawk here this afternoon. They were out for around an hour and a half. Seemed fine. No sign of Mrs sparrow hawk and on shutting them up I actually had one extra, a stray. This is the second one this year all ready as I had one in last week. The one last week came from a fellow club mate. They only live about 4 miles from me and the bird was in the same race as mine.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.