[khurst]

While i was away at the weekend a sparrowhawk took one of my pigeons.
I have a dovecote in the back garden with a white Fantail and a Chinese Owl (A variety of fancy Pigeon) anyway my son phoned me on sat afternoon to tell me that the the chinese owl had been killed on the lawn, He said there was only a wing, some bones and a mass of feathers left. then on sunday afternoon a sparrowhawk came down and flew off with what was left.
I think it was the sparrowhawk that killed it in the first place and then came back the next day for the rest.
I am a bit gutted for the pigeon but I don't blame the Sparrowhawk, afterall it's only nature. I just hope he does not come back for the Fantail. I'm gonna wait a couple of weeks before i get a replacment just in case he does.

[salty]

sad, but like you say - it's nature!

rather a bird killed your own than a drunken youth! - what part of tyneside are you from?

[khurst]

Hi Salty
Am from Hebburn

[salty]

Originally Posted by khurst

Hi Salty
Am from Hebburn

ah, just a couple of mile down the road from me. plenty of sparrowhawks in your area actually, like here. i lose a few of the resident house sparrows and other birds to them. seems im just feeding them up till the hawks come to lunch!!!

glad you took your loss well, and didnt reach for an air rifle!

[Richard W]

have never forgotten many years ago my mum cooing over a very bright male Greenfinch on the feeders at home, just after she spoke it was reduced to a puff of feathers drifting past the window.

see Sprarrowhawks a lot at work and as much as I dont like seeing "my birds" being picked off can't help but be impressed by them, they're stunning to look at, esp those eyes!

[khurst]

Nooo I wouldnt do that.
I'v lost a few pigeons to hawks when i used to race them, Many pigeon fanciers (Not all mind) hate raptors (and cats) but the way i looked at it was everthing has its place in life.

[salty]

i agree. once you have witnessed a falcon, hawk etc hunting it's prey - you cannot help but be impressed!!! - even if they are costing you money!

[khurst]

I know this is Wild Bird forum but i just thought i would post a picture of the Chinese Owl Pigeon that was killed just in case anyone wanted to know what they look like.
Thats him on the right.

[salty]

interesting pidgeon with a interesting name.

dunno what you could do to protect against sparrowhawk attacks though. they will take birds from the ground, and in the air - where peregrines can be hunting from also! - tough life being at the bottom of the food chain, but hopefully your birds will be fine.

[khurst]

I suppose the only way to protect them would be to lock them up, But I dont wanna do that. they are free to come and go as they please and have done for the last five years.
Lets hope I don't get another visit in the near future.

[The Tom]

Originally Posted by khurst

I suppose the only way to protect them would be to lock them up, But I dont wanna do that. they are free to come and go as they please and have done for the last five years.
Lets hope I don't get another visit in the near future.

Hi Keith sorry to hear about your loss but these things happen usually the female sprawk is the culprit and they generally take pigeons at this time of year but when they go to nest the attacks on pigeons tend to stop .So you should be alright in a few weeks .