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Just when I thought it was safe
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 9:04 am
by Trev
Re: Just when I thought it was safe
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 9:19 am
by George and Morgan
so sad
Re: Just when I thought it was safe
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 11:23 am
by Buster121
What a shame Trev, always sad to see
Re: Just when I thought it was safe
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 3:28 pm
by Andy
That is horrible Trev. I know you said you saw the hawk in it but a bit unusual for it to eat the head first! I’ve found that generally they eat the back out first.
I lost a late bred cock during the week. On our clubs messenger group I see that some members are having trouble with peregrines around here. A few birds have been lost over the past week.
Re: Just when I thought it was safe
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 4:00 pm
by Daz71
Gee's that's not good
Re: Just when I thought it was safe
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 4:13 pm
by Andy
Daz71 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 29, 2024 4:00 pm
Gee's that's not good
One of the biggest threats we have to our pigeons while out of the loft Daz. Birds of prey. Most of a problem at this time of year.
Re: Just when I thought it was safe
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 4:22 pm
by Daz71
Bloody hell we have a couple of Buzzards that circle from time to time
Re: Just when I thought it was safe
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 5:16 pm
by Andy
Daz71 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 29, 2024 4:22 pm
Bloody hell we have a couple of Buzzards that circle from time to time
Buzzards, kestrels and red kite aren’t a problem Daz. The Buzzards and Red kite are more carrion, small rodents or game bird chicks. Too slow to catch a pigeon. The pigeons will often chase them away. The Kestral is to small. The ones that are a problem are the Sparrow Hawk, mostly the hen as she is larger than the male, and mainly only a problem around this time of year when she is feeding herself up ready to going to nest. She will knock a pigeon off the loft or catch them on the ground, pin the down and eat them alive. Once airborne the sparrow hawk is no match for a pigeons speed and agility. The Peregrine is our biggest threat as these will catch a pigeon in flight. The will soar high above a flock of pigeons and dive at 200 mph into them. If getting a good hold on one the pigeon in doomed. We often have birds back with injuries where they have escaped an attack. The pigeon can out fly a peregrine at a level height. The biggest problem is the fright that they put into a flock as they strike. The birds can fly into anything trying to escape. The other one that is increasing in number and is a real killing machine is the gosshawk.
Re: Just when I thought it was safe
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 8:51 pm
by Murray
Always upsetting to see.
Here in Australia it is crawling with hawks, and every time they go out they are vulnerable.
Re: Just when I thought it was safe
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2024 9:54 pm
by Murray
This one was lucky to escape with the back torn out of both wings.
Fortunately they grow back.