markyboy Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Got a new pond this year on a large farm that just hasn't worked , haven't been to it so far this season with a gun! Anyway at the nearest village a guy I know is allowed to feed a splash on the boundary of the farm far enough away from the pond and not doing any harm! I spoke to him recently and said that there's no hope of ducks as this falcon is in the area, he having witnessed while out n about the falcon take a mallard clean out the air and a teal ! Never heard of this but I'm taking his word for it! Now I'm looking for reasons as to why this pond hasn't worked so far it's a cracking wee pond could it be this falcon is working this area! I very briefly was getting good numbers of duck into it at the start of sept then went away for a week and been nothing on since! We recently took a load of weed that seems to double by the day out to try and clear the water a bit but still nothing The splash I mentioned is prob a good half a mike away and wonder if there is a falcon takin duck as they go into splash will they work my pond and possibly put the frighteners up anything that's been near it?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zab10 Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 defo mate , i know of people who feed ponds to fly there falcons on the duck , i used to see them regular on a estuary working the tide for waders and duck . 1/2 a mile is only seconds away to one of them , ive even had one take a pigeon that was pitched to my decoys . great sight to see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Teal are a favourite prey of Peregrines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku moocher Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 on the estuary near me they are several peregrines hunting it daily. still 1000's of wildfowl there. i think one bird of prey workin the area would not totaly ruin the numbers of duck visiting . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Is there much other disturbance going on in & around your pond Markboy ? & how often do you shoot it ? nothing can be done about your visiting peregrine but on the good side of things the peregrine will only take what it needs unlike some other 4 legged & 2 legged predators !. If you are lucky enough to see a peregrine stoop & take a duck clean out of the air just sit back & admire as its sight not many get to see . Good luck Pole Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lumpy Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Our local fishing club has the rights to a lake right next to the old Phizer's site which has a pair of peregrines who nested there, certainly did'nt affect any of the various water birds on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blakloks Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Me n mark feed the pond there's been nothing on it since sept and we can't understand why apart from slot of rain but the peregrine won't be hunting an empty pond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyboy Posted November 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 No but whatever was using it in sept and I swear the pond was covered in fresh feather has been scared away ! You can blame rain, but the duck knew there was food there and there hasn't been a thing back in the space of a week both occasions the feed completely gone ! To having nothing at all at flight time ! I don't blame all the rain! I would blame rain for a drop in numbers using it but not for nothing to use it after a week! Look at pond at torthorwald with all the rain there's always been something using it at night fair enough it might only be half a dozen but they know its there and numbers building with over 50 on this morn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 No but whatever was using it in sept and I swear the pond was covered in fresh feather has been scared away ! You can blame rain, but the duck knew there was food there and there hasn't been a thing back in the space of a week both occasions the feed completely gone ! To having nothing at all at flight time ! I don't blame all the rain! I would blame rain for a drop in numbers using it but not for nothing to use it after a week! Look at pond at torthorwald with all the rain there's always been something using it at night fair enough it might only be half a dozen but they know its there and numbers building with over 50 on this morn Maybe they just don't like your pond ! it happens ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyboy Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Yes well there is that possibility of course ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.philmypower. Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I live on a quarry and have a pair of pereguin falcons living there, they breed every year and hunt regular. I've seen them take crows, jackdaws, pigeon. I've even witnessed them catching woodcock and kestrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevmag Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Are falcon's protected? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.philmypower. Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyboy Posted November 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Is that a serious question??? Oh my Lordy !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Are falcon's protected? Of course they bloody well are ! they are protected in Ireland too ! . A few years ago one of the Irish Hawking Club boys was flying his Peregrine only 2 fields away from him some idiot shot it & it cost the offender a lot of money !! so be warned !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason kaye Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Are falcon's protected? ??? What a *******g stupid question,are you a sgc or fac holder Kevmag? if you are I'm very ,very suprised. Jase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvid wings Posted December 30, 2012 Report Share Posted December 30, 2012 could be mink ,they decimate any area they are in ,have you tried putting any traps down ,?look in the mud round the ponds for footprints ,and tracks .anybody you know have decent working dogs ,invite them round , more than a coincidence perhaps you went away and returned to nothing . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockercas Posted December 30, 2012 Report Share Posted December 30, 2012 There is that much flooded stubble and grass fields that there is better food out there then some wheat chucked down on the bank. Were on the pond are you putting the feed?. Its either water hens,rats or deer eating your feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyboy Posted January 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 Feed isn't even being touched just lying at the bottom of the shallows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 Feed isn't even being touched just lying at the bottom of the shallows Got the same problem here at the moment as they are spoiled for choice as there are so many flooded areas . Pole star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pond digger 007 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 There is that much flooded stubble and grass fields that there is better food out there then some wheat chucked down on the bank. Were on the pond are you putting the feed?. Its either water hens,rats or deer eating your feed. Yes this is a valid point. Also, do you have otter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillmouse Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 One of the best flight ponds I have ever known had a peregrine or often the pair, waiting on at least 3 or 4 times a week. One duck got whacked, usually a teal, then the other 4 or 500 ducks came in unpeturbed, This season there has been a constant area of floodwater available in most areas. If this is a new and previously unfed pond, especially given the weeks break in feeding, it is quite possible the duck never really got in to a routine of flighting in. Other sources of disturbance are also possible. Another point to consider if feed is going but nothing flights at dusk may be that duck use it by day or as a dawn flighting pond. They do that on some ponds. It has been a generally tough year for flighting even on long established ponds so don't be too despondent. Start feeding early next season, at least a month before you intend to shoot it, shoot lightly and leave early and see if things improve for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyboy Posted March 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2013 Thanks! We managed to get pond for another season and are planning to thin out some trees clean out the mass of pond weed that's in it and try an automatic feeder on the island Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockercas Posted March 8, 2013 Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 Yes this is a valid point. Also, do you have otter? Not on any ponds i shoot, but one was caught in a live catch trap in a pond further up the canal from one of my permission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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