Scottm82 Posted September 11, 2020 Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 Hi, we have started to have a few visits to the pen and surrounding area by a Goshawk, what's the best way of deterring these without upsetting the game birds? I have put up a Portek hawk scarer but this only covers one side of the pen and don't want to invest in another if they don't do the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted September 11, 2020 Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 Welcome to Pigeon Watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottm82 Posted September 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 47 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Welcome to Pigeon Watch. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted September 11, 2020 Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 Proper - full on Apex predator Amazing to watch and in my experience will only kill to eat - unlike the bloody buzzard that does it for fun ! Get some cover in your pens and get the radios on - move them each day to a different area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted September 11, 2020 Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 Had a similar problem with sparrow hawks way back when and we hung some garden netting across the rides around the pens. Seemed to stem the problem and didn't break any rules. I found hanging stuff about seemed to deter. They are handsome birds, both sparrow hawks and goshawks. Have enjoyed being present when a goshawk was flow to pheasants pointed then flushed by my dogs. Awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted September 11, 2020 Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 They are spectacular birds but so damaging to game bird populations. I fear there is little you can do to really deter them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickeydredd Posted September 11, 2020 Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 Hang some CD's in addition to the other visible and noise deterrents already mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClemFandango Posted September 11, 2020 Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Mickeydredd said: Hang some CD's in addition to the other visible and noise deterrents already mentioned. Classic method and can be effective. Don't just hang them and forget about them though. With all scarers it is important to move them frequently as the birds become accustomed to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted September 11, 2020 Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 6 hours ago, jall25 said: Proper - full on Apex predator Amazing to watch and in my experience will only kill to eat - unlike the bloody buzzard that does it for fun ! Get some cover in your pens and get the radios on - move them each day to a different area I have seen them kill far more than they can eat. Seem to scare the hell out off birds and they flap /clamp down, glossy was just walking round pen killing birds with its talons. We built a new pen and had to abandon it after 3 years just could not stand the losses due to a gossy, plenty cover, CDs, kiddy's holigraphc windmills, reduced buzzard and sparrow hawk losses to almost nil. Couldn't do anything with the glossy, to make matters worse was a big ride next to pen so poults would not even hang about the wire and would not cross the ride even when walked back in. The nieghbouring keeper had the same problem except birds so scared and stressed would hardly feed unless he was there. Funny thing was bossy just targeted 1 off our pens and 1 of neighbours too They do say a radio inside a bucket helps thou. Know some keepers further east that used to have decent numbers of blackcock, when gossy numbers get up and if they find a lek it's not long until they've wiped it out. Also the ammount of fence strikes goes throu the roof as birds flying in a blind panic into fences they never used to fly into. Absolutely savage on them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted September 11, 2020 Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 Proper - full on Apex predator Amazing to watch and in my experience will only kill to eat - unlike the bloody buzzard that does it for fun ! Get some cover in your pens and get the radios on - move them each day to a different area Down here thats the Buzz - walks about killing one after another like its a game The Gos seem to have a more varied diet and to watch them smash crows and jackdaws is amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottm82 Posted September 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2020 Thanks guys, radios on and scarecrows/deterrents are out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted September 15, 2020 Report Share Posted September 15, 2020 On 14/09/2020 at 12:51, Scottm82 said: Thanks guys, radios on and scarecrows/deterrents are out make sure its radio 1 , as all they play is carp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClemFandango Posted September 15, 2020 Report Share Posted September 15, 2020 26 minutes ago, billytheghillie said: make sure its radio 1 , as all they play is carp. Carp? Might deter the Gos but risk attracting a Heron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted September 15, 2020 Report Share Posted September 15, 2020 24 minutes ago, ClemFandango said: Carp? Might deter the Gos but risk attracting a Heron. carp is a anagram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClemFandango Posted September 15, 2020 Report Share Posted September 15, 2020 5 minutes ago, billytheghillie said: carp is a anagram I was trying (and failing evidently) to make a joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted September 15, 2020 Report Share Posted September 15, 2020 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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