Oldfart
213 posts
Oct 29, 2007
1:21 PM
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Hey All, Got hit by three Coopers hawk's yesterday. Lost one young bird and have another that is scared to death. It could have been much worse as all my young birds were up. So, I'm trying to take my foot out of my mouth one toe at a time! I just can't find it in my heart to fly when the sharks are filling the skies. I have seen Cooper's almost every day. Ten minutes ago my wife saw a Cooper's take a rabbit from accross the street in my neighbors yard. They have found my loft and sit in a tree that over looks the kitbox. I'm going to lock down until April. It's going to be a long winter!!! It's my tree so after the leaves fall, it comes down!!!
Thom:-(
Last Edited by on Oct 29, 2007 1:32 PM
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Sourland
96 posts
Oct 29, 2007
4:14 PM
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I didn't realize that Cooper's would also take mammals-thought they were bird eaters only. Today however while training a pair of beagles, I had a Cooper's attack the rabbit my dogs were running. The rabbit escaped minus large tufts of hair. The brazen hit took place within 25 foot of me. Nature teaches me something new every day.
Geo.
Last Edited by on Oct 29, 2007 4:14 PM
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Oldfart
216 posts
Oct 29, 2007
4:22 PM
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sourland, my neighbour has a long hedge row that runs the length of his yard. I have watched Cooper's climb into this hedge to wait in ambush for almost anything that comes along, including the neighbour's cat!! Cat, escaped but minus some fur! Hunger is the mother of invention, I guess.
Thom
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sundance
250 posts
Oct 29, 2007
6:16 PM
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I`ve seen them take rodents in fields around here. I have always thought that the number of young rabbits and other ground prey in the spring and summer is the reason the BOPs tend to leave the rollers alone in the late spring and summer months. In most cases the typical ground prey is probably easier to catch than a roller in the air.Especially young rabbit, and other small game. Just my opinion.
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Butch @
Sundance Roller Lofts
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tapp
423 posts
Oct 29, 2007
6:49 PM
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Butch, them are most likly Marsh hawks."northern harrier. They are usualy a litle bigger than coopers, They glide over the fields 5 -15 ft off the ground around me. And land in my pasture and catch mice. They will fly under my kits. And never bother them. Except the kit goe's up!! Never had them chase them. I have a pair that's been here a long time.
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Tapp
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