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The Original All Roller Talk Discussion Board Archive >
Falcon have found me!
Falcon have found me!
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Ally Mac
105 posts
Sep 01, 2006
1:48 PM
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Happened yesterday.
I am not sure what kind it is, it may be a Peregrine, it came into the kit about 5 oclock, the birds werent flying high and it scattered them. It kept trying to get the odd bird but wasnt succesfull. The kit then went way up and it took its time but followed. One bird went on its own and the hawk followed, they both dived for the ground and I lost sight due to some trees. Niether came back into view and I thought I had lost one.
I got most of the kit in after 1/2 an hour but was about 4 short.
They came back gradually and about 8 I saw one flash past with the hawk on its tail, then bang, I couldnt believe the noise.
I think I am only missing 1 bird now (and the dead 1).
I dont know whether Its a sparrow hawk or a peregrine. It seems to prefer taking birds from the air?
Its wings are very pointed at the ends and it cant half dive. I have to say it is an amazing sight but it is seickening when it is taking my birds.
Three years nearly I have been keeping rollers and have been so lucky up till now. I now know how you boys must feel.
Al.
Last Edited by Ally Mac on Sep 01, 2006 1:48 PM
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W@yne
10 posts
Sep 01, 2006
2:29 PM
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Does the bird land with its prey? .If it does then its a sparrow hawk .If it takes the bird in the air then flys away with its prey then its probly a Peregrine falcon we dont have a variety of preditors like in usa here in uk.
wiganrollers@yahoo.co.uk
Last Edited by W@yne on Sep 01, 2006 2:36 PM
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BR Rollers
36 posts
Sep 01, 2006
8:52 PM
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Welcome to the world of sky sharks!!!! I am not sure what type it was but I can assure you it wasn't a sparrow hawk. They feed on insects and mice mostly. It is also the smallest of the birds of prey.
Ronnie
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Santandercol
284 posts
Sep 01, 2006
9:54 PM
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Hey Al,
I had a peri attack a few weeks ago and she didn't waste any time chasing.It was all over in about 4 seconds.Generally,they are pretty efficient.Sometimes all you'll see is apuff of feathers going downwind then this SOB flying away with your bird clenched up underneath.
I locked my birds down for 3 days after that attack and haven't seen the Henerys since.----------
Kelly
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Shaun
371 posts
Sep 01, 2006
11:09 PM
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Hi, Al. Sorry about your attack. In the UK, it's usually either the sparrowhawk or the peregrine - our sparrowhawk is completely different to the one in the US. I've lost half a dozen to the (always female) sparrowhawk and have seen it take a youngster right in front of me. It tends to hang around in local trees and has a territory which it covers. The crows make an awful racket when it's hanging about. The kestrel isn't a problem; that's the one that hovers high up. The sparrowhawk tends not to go too high and attacks at about house roof level or below. The peregrine is bigger and flies much higher, swooping down to attack. Pete Handy and George Mason both told me they're having lots of peregrine attacks at the moment, whereas in the past they would just lose a handful a year to the sparrowhawk.
By the way, Al, I've bred some birds from the Dave Moseleys and they're ready to settle. I didn't lose any at that early stage and I think the warm weather helped. I'll let you know how I get on flying them.
Cheers.
Shaun
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Ally Mac
106 posts
Sep 02, 2006
2:39 AM
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The more I hear the more it confirms it was a peregrine, it went high up after the birds, dived etc. Wasnt keen to take the birds from the roof, prefered to scare them up first then try in the air. It was a fair size also.
I was talking to a pal in Perth last night, he was telling me they have various methods of attack.
Catching the bird then breaking its neck in flight.
Clenching its tallons and hitting the bird at speed.
Clenching its tallons but leaving the back one out to punch the bird at speed and tear it open at the same time.
This is what happened to the last one I lost, I actually heard the thump as it hit the bird, quite a sound. When I found the bird on the ground its neck had been ripped ope. Must have been killed outright.
He had been talking to Graham Dexter recently who thinks there are more guys giving up the birds due to increased losses.
Any way, glad you got the Mosely youngsters without any trouble Shaun. You have probably got about 10 months flying to get them coming on properly. I have struggled to get proper regular air time with mine so they are probably not at their best but I will keep trying.
Cheers.
Al.
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Santandercol
285 posts
Sep 02, 2006
6:55 AM
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Hey Al,
Yes,it can be hard to get good quality flying time when you're getting attacked every time you turn around.I just made a trip to the interior of B.C.,Canada to pick up a BUNCH of young birds from freinds for myself and another guy to play with(didn't manage to breed enough for my first season).EVERYBODY has problems with preds to some degree.They all flew kits for me to see,but John Weins in Richmond by Vancouver seemed to have the worst problem with hawks and falcons.First kit he flew for me were flying low and fast close to the trees,tight circles.This is what happens when they are constantly being attacked.You just can't get them to fly properly.A Merlin started attacking his birds almost as soon as he let that first kit out.They are a smaller hawk and he was unsuccessful at getting a pigeon,but they sure screw everything up.John seemed sort of unfazed by it all,and when the first kit came in,he flew another for me to watch.I know another guy over living in New Westminster by Vancouver,he's moving over here to the island next year.He raised 160 youngsters last year,and by the time the WC fly came along,he had 7 kitbirds left.Gets attacked by peris everytime he flies.Figures he has 4 Henerys living within eyesight of his place.Hope he has better luck when he moves.It's not as bad here on the Rock where I live.
Ok,well,,,good luck flying your birds!!I've got my work cut out for me now as I have 35 new youngbirds to train.Take care and drink lots of water during this hot dry summer to stay healthy.
Yours in the Sport,
Kelly.
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