Attracting birds of prey.

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Attracting birds of prey.
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Hairyloon

Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 17 8:47 pm Post subject: Attracting birds of prey.
We have got a really bad problem with birds at our allotment. The clear and obvious answer is that something needs to move in and start eating them. How, aside from hiring a falconer, do we get them to come?

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 17 9:04 pm Post subject:
First thought is suitable nesting habitat - I know barn owl boxes are pretty standard but I don't know if there's anything like that designed for other birds of prey.

buzzy

Joined: 04 Jan 2011
Posts: 3708
Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 17 10:21 pm Post subject:
If you built a cathedral you might get Peregrine Falcons Henry

Hairyloon

Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 17 11:34 pm Post subject:

NorthernMonkeyGirl wrote:

First thought is suitable nesting habitat - I know barn owl boxes are pretty standard but I don't know if there's anything like that designed for other birds of prey.

https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/kestrel-nestbox-advice
https://www.raptorresource.org/build.htm
https://www.peregrinefund.org/nest-boxes

Hairyloon

Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 17 11:37 pm Post subject:

buzzy wrote:

If you built a cathedral you might get Peregrine Falcons

I'm told there are peregrines not too far away, but I think they have rich pickings so do not stray far.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15982

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 17 7:04 am Post subject:
Sparrowhawks are probably the best for you. They will take birds up to pigeon sized. That way you don't need to build a cathedral.

buzzy

Joined: 04 Jan 2011
Posts: 3708
Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 17 9:34 am Post subject:
Can you tell us which birds are causing the problem? There is good eating on both pigeons and sparrows, I've heard. Henry

Hairyloon

Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 17 1:01 pm Post subject:

buzzy wrote:

Can you tell us which birds are causing the problem? There is good eating on both pigeons and sparrows, I've heard.

Pigeons are prime suspects, also blackbirds.
The problem is of how to catch them: shooting is not a realistic option.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46233
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 17 5:03 pm Post subject:

pigeons are debatable, blackbirds are a definite leave em alone.

therefore use:

nets, cages and strings to obstruct em from nibbling

the stuff that tastes that tastes horrible on pea shoots etc

cats, feed a few free range moggies and provide a cosy nest and regular food to the most polite and best hunters. cats can exact a high price as they love freshly turned soil for their easement

of the various bird scarers one of the most effective i have observed is a raptor decoy that "flys" from the top of a thin flexible pole, they are quite life like in any sort of breeze.

"Rookies" are loads of fun til somebody loses some fingers

but won't be popular with the neighbours or deter many birds once they get used to them.

it should be remembered for a bit of bird loss there is the bird gain from pest control,

Hairyloon

Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 17 5:32 pm Post subject:

dpack wrote:

of the various bird scarers one of the most effective i have observed is a raptor decoy that "flys" from the top of a thin flexible pole, they are quite life like in any sort of breeze..,

Summut like: this?

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46233
Location: yes

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 17 10:40 am Post subject:
i dont think engine spares will work very well. this sort of bird kite might work better than a gasket set

Hairyloon

Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 17 11:48 am Post subject:

dpack wrote:

i dont think engine spares will work very well.

Hmmm, dodgy link. How's that work?
Doubly odd that it works OK if I use the link down in the "topic review" on the "post reply" page.
Suggests to me that the problem is forum end if it affects you and me both?

Hairyloon

Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 17 11:57 am Post subject:

dpack wrote:

i dont think engine spares will work very well.

this sort of bird kite might work better than a gasket set

Check here: https://www.viglink.com/opt-out/ and try it again?

buzzy

Joined: 04 Jan 2011
Posts: 3708
Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 17 12:08 pm Post subject:

dpack wrote:

i dont think engine spares will work very well.

this sort of bird kite might work better than a gasket set

I got vintage pedal cycle spares!

Henry

buzzy

Joined: 04 Jan 2011
Posts: 3708
Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 17 12:13 pm Post subject:
The first link works now. That sort of thing might help, but it depends on how canny your pigeons are. You might need to move it around from time to time. Henry

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