Sparrowhawk running amok (1 Viewer)

[Lmc3598]

how's this for an idea
put up another feeder, or even two more feeders, then the sparrowhawk will come and maybe kill some birds on one of the feeders but hopefully most will be safe at the other feeder/feeders.

 

[LabradorDuck]

I agree with altering the top of the feeder so the hawk can't perch there. That way he/she will be forced to hunt in the "natural" way, by ambushing from a tree. Adding another feeder or two wouldn't be a bad idea either, to spread the prey species out. You won't prevent predation (and you shouldn't want to), but at least you'll get rid of some of the feeling of luring the small birds to the slaughter.

 

[mjh73]

You could always take the feeder down. The sparrowhawk will most likely kill an equal amount of birds (though it may have to work harder!) but you won't have to see it. A few more passerines might succumb to starvation, but you most likely won't have to see that either. You save money on bird seed. Win win situation..... ah, except for the birds that might starve obviously.
'Running amok' is a peculiarly anthropomorphic spin to put on the circumstances by the way.

 

[mothman]

You could always take the feeder down. The sparrowhawk will most likely kill an equal amount of birds (though it may have to work harder!) but you won't have to see it. A few more passerines might succumb to starvation, but you most likely won't have to see that either. You save money on bird seed. Win win situation..... ah, except for the birds that might starve obviously.
'Running amok' is a peculiarly anthropomorphic spin to put on the circumstances by the way.

Perfect points well made!

 

[Shadow-watcher]

Sorry, but you'll have to take it down

 

[Mike Price]

You could always take the feeder down. The sparrowhawk will most likely kill an equal amount of birds (though it may have to work harder!) but you won't have to see it. A few more passerines might succumb to starvation, but you most likely won't have to see that either. You save money on bird seed. Win win situation..... ah, except for the birds that might starve obviously.
'Running amok' is a peculiarly anthropomorphic spin to put on the circumstances by the way.

anthropomorphic what a fantastic word (yes I did have to look it up)

 

[Val & Rex]

Hi
As Rapters do not like to get wet,you can purchase a very powerful child's pressurized water gun. They are very effective with :cat: so if you build a hide within ten yards and have the time it may be your answer
Regards
Rex. :t:

 

[turkish van]

Hi
As Rapters do not like to get wet,you can purchase a very powerful child's pressurized water gun. They are very effective with :cat: so if you build a hide within ten yards and have the time it may be your answer
Regards
Rex. :t:

I am surprised at the number of suggestions like this (though this is the worst) on this thread.

If you put out bird feeders, you create a feeding station for predators too. The Sparrowhawk is doing what Sparrowhawks do. Move feeders around, take them down or if you don't like it, don't watch. It'll move on eventually, just leave it be.

 

[Duke Leto]

Just wondering why the original poster is happy to sit and watch the Sparrowhawk sitting on the feeders for an hour and then complain that the other birds fall prey, I wish my daily visit by the sparrowhawk would end up with him stationary for longer than 30 secs when I try and get a picture or two.
John just walk out and the bird will go, I doubt it returns too frequently.
In my garden I move the feeders the bird plans his route and will appear over a fence aiming for the feeders, its quite a sight to see him change direction at the last moment.
On more than one occasion I'm sure I was his surprise target, only last week filling the bird bath he came in over the fence and turned around me withing a couple of feet, what a great sight.
Yesterday whilst setting up a new perch for LTT's and positioning the camera again he popped into the garden perched on the fence behind the new feeder and before I could reposition the camera he was away again
As for the bird population in the garden, doesn't seem to decline so I leave mother nature to do her stuff.
Oh never seen a Sparrowhawk run anywhere let alone amok............

 

[DunnoKev]

MJB has summed it up perfectly. 'Poor' Sparrowhawks hunt in this fashion, it'll probably fall out of the gene pool soon. Similarly, it is the 'poor quality' passerines that get nabbed in this situation, experienced birds don't. Survival of the fittest. There was an interesting paper in 'BB' a few years back explaining all this. Adult and quick-learning young hide up and stay deep in cover in these situations. Numpties break cover and get eaten. And top of the pile ninja Sprawks are in and out of your garden in a flash, you often don't get to see the damage they do.

By the time the breeding season arrives nature has a habit of ensuring the fittest, predator and prey, survive.

You drive that useless Sprawk away from your garden where its just about hanging on, and it'll probably starve, or get creamed by other resident bops. If you really want rid of it might well it be less cruel to give Songbird Survival their way and cull it

It's nature. Enjoy it. Warts'n'all.

 

[Lmc3598]

You drive that useless Sprawk away from your garden where its just about hanging on, and it'll probably starve, or get creamed by other resident bops. If you really want rid of it might well it be less cruel to give Songbird Survival their way and cull it

It's nature. Enjoy it. Warts'n'all.[/QUOTE]

This makes me laugh
:'D

 

[MJB]

I am surprised at the number of suggestions like this (though this is the worst) on this thread.

No it isn't - it might just persuade this atypical Sparrowhawk to perch nearby and start behaving like a typical Sparrowhawk. Water isn't invasive and won't harm good-condition plumage. Just being a little provocative!
MJB

 

[Espen]

the thing is that the sprawk won't eat too many bird because then it will have no food, it will only kill what it needs to servive and however many that seems to be it will realy only be a small fraction of the songbird population, and lets not forget that predators of any kind have to be scarcer than their prey because otherwise they will starve. the sprawk obviously needs the food or it would not do it, There is probably 1 sprawk per every 200 songbirds. so please dont try to deter it or if you do then you will have to live with the fact that you are narrowing its chances of living.

 

[dbradnum]

You could always take the feeder down. The sparrowhawk will most likely kill an equal amount of birds (though it may have to work harder!) but you won't have to see it. A few more passerines might succumb to starvation, but you most likely won't have to see that either. You save money on bird seed. Win win situation..... ah, except for the birds that might starve obviously.
'Running amok' is a peculiarly anthropomorphic spin to put on the circumstances by the way.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[julieredwing]

My Dad is currently experiencing the same problem with a daily visit from a sparrowhawk - he lives in Oxfordshire, England. This bird seems to be favouring starlings. I will pass on your tips if he gets fed up with the carnage.

 

[Duke Leto]

I reckon my sparrowhawk passes through daily, he doesn't often get a bird so not sure this is all really relevant unless people have too many other species and the sparrowhawk can never miss......

 

[Val & Rex]

I am surprised at the number of suggestions like this (though this is the worst) on this thread.

If you put out bird feeders, you create a feeding station for predators too. The Sparrowhawk is doing what Sparrowhawks do. Move feeders around, take them down or if you don't like it, don't watch. It'll move on eventually, just leave it be.

Hi expert (though this is the worst)
The post starter wants to feed small garden birds, not raptors, he asked for suggestion's how he could continue feeding small garden birds and dissuade the sparrow hawk
from visiting his garden ,
You personally have not come back with a suggestion just your opinion on my post that does make a suggestion that may work for the post starter, Turkish van what makes you such an authority on the feeding of garden birds and their predators :-O forums self made experts.
Best regards turkish Van.
Rex. :t:

 

[turkish van]

Hi expert (though this is the worst)
The post starter wants to feed small garden birds, not raptors, he asked for suggestion's how he could continue feeding small garden birds and dissuade the sparrow hawk
from visiting his garden ,
You personally have not come back with a suggestion just your opinion on my post that does make a suggestion that may work for the post starter, Turkish van what makes you such an authority on the feeding of garden birds and their predators :-O forums self made experts.
Best regards turkish Van.
Rex. :t:

My suggestion was to move the feeders around, or let nature do it's thing.

MJB was quite right in his reply to my post - I maybe overreacted. I'm only bothered by people thinking they can pick and choose, the 'only the pretty birds can feed in my garden' attitude.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Turkish van what makes you such an authority on the feeding of garden birds and their predators :-O forums self made experts.

Her five years plus on the forum leads most of us on here to at least respect her knowledge.

 

[Mark Lew1s]

And she can spell raptors, as well.....

If you're going to be sat in a hide ten metres away, I think the high powered water pistol bit is probably unnecessary....I'm sure a clap of the hands or a shout will do.