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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.
PostPosted: Thu Aug 10, 17 8:47 pm    Post subject: Attracting birds of prey. Reply with quote
    

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: 4626
Location: Peeping over your shoulder
PostPosted: Thu Aug 10, 17 9:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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
PostPosted: Thu Aug 10, 17 10:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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.
PostPosted: Thu Aug 10, 17 11:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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.
PostPosted: Thu Aug 10, 17 11:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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: 15932

PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 17 7:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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
PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 17 9:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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.
PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 17 1:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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: 46168
Location: yes
PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 17 5:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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.
PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 17 5:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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: 46168
Location: yes
PostPosted: Sat Aug 12, 17 10:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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.
PostPosted: Sat Aug 12, 17 11:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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.
PostPosted: Sat Aug 12, 17 11:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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
PostPosted: Sat Aug 12, 17 12:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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
PostPosted: Sat Aug 12, 17 12:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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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