JDog Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 Beautiful birds but how destructive they are. I counted eight or nine different species of prey in this short clip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 Pigeon fanciers absolutely hate them. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 1 hour ago, Blackpowder said: Pigeon fanciers absolutely hate them. Blackpowder So do shorebirds. I once saw one on our garden fence with a reed bunting, probably easier to catch than the loads of sparrows about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 Something, don't know what, snatched a starling off our bird table today. A first for us! It was too quick to identify. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 Watched one hitting lapwing when out on the shore after geese. The impact was awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 2 hours ago, Dave at kelton said: Watched one hitting lapwing when out on the shore after geese. The impact was awesome. Years ago waiting for mallard to flight up over the cliffs a peregrine struck a lapwing a few yards above my head a cloud of feathers as both birds vanished over the cliff edge. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuffy Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 I work in Boston a lot . Quite often you can see the perigrins knocking the stuffing out of the pigeons . Sometimes you'll see the mid-air swap thing , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rim Fire Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 Such a brilliant sight to see nature at its best here in wales we got loads of them the same with Goshawks i get at least 2 Goshawks a week on my stink pipe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MirokuMK70 Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 I once had one nail my flapper. Its confusion was priceless as it kept hacking away at the pigeon that wouldn't "die" 🤣🤣🤣 I've also watched them bringing full grown mallards back to the nest box on Leicester cathedral spire next to my office I've also watched them bringing full grown mallards back to the nest box on Leicester cathedral spire next to my office Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MirokuMK70 Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 Dont know what happened there but i have seen it more than once... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 8 hours ago, JDog said: Beautiful birds but how destructive they are. I counted eight or nine different species of prey in this short clip. I wouldn't call them 'destructive' as they are only doing what comes natural. It's sad of course when songbirds etc get killed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam triple Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 Awesome birds like all birds of prey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 36 minutes ago, sam triple said: Awesome birds like all birds of prey My favourite, followed by barn owls. Had one come into my decoys years ago, fantastic birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 7 hours ago, amateur said: Something, don't know what, snatched a starling off our bird table today. A first for us! It was too quick to identify. Sparrowhawk likely, fast and deadly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raja Clavata Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 They don't kill for the sake of it and are not an alien species, in the big scheme of things not a problem I feel and, as other have said, a sight to behold. The ones in London are feeding on feral pigeons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 Out recently and a sparrow hawk came down on one of the pigeon decoys. Picked it up then decided plastic isn't tastey and dropped it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyefor Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 21 hours ago, cuffy said: .....Sometimes you'll see the mid-air swap thing... Is that a Peregrine trait too? I thought that was only Harriers - could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 The peregrine is the ultimate hunting machine. I live near a coastal cliff area, and see a few peregrine chasing ferals with great success. During the winter months I find the remains of woodcock ( feathered wings and bones) which is probably also the peregrine. As for sparrowhawks -I once had one attack one of my flock coated shell decoy, and the deep gouge on its back could have been made by a chisel. As for goshawk- an old keeper told me that they do more good than bad as they kill everything including magpies and carrion crows. Hitman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatureBoy Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 Plenty my way. Suffolk has reached it's carrying compacity for them. Some pairs spending to much time chasing off other peregrines in breeding season. Their eggs chill and fail. . . . . Shame to see so many rings on such magnificent birds. Certainly got a variety of wader prey there. NB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 Do you think that the RSPB and other supporters of birds of prey understand about population density and 'carrying capacity'? Of course not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konor Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 On 09/12/2020 at 12:25, Dave at kelton said: Watched one hitting lapwing when out on the shore after geese. The impact was awesome. I saw one downing a lapwing on Wigtown Bay. When a carrion crow landed a hundred yards or so from it the peregrine was able to carry the lapwing off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 Just now, Konor said: I saw one downing a lapwing on Wigtown Bay. When a carrion crow landed a hundred yards or so from it the peregrine was able to carry the lapwing off. It’s the bit about wildfowling that non shooters don’t get. This morning I was out, no geese anywhere near but a merlin zipped a few yards by chasing the pippets. Made my day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 (edited) A lady I have known for 40 odd years, very serious and enthusiastic member of RSPB, we have had our differences over the years but remain strong friends. she goes ballistic about red kites taking out song birds in the Thames Valley. A real Bee in her bonnet about red kites. I don't know enough to have a valid opinion But I know her well enough to think she is not some sort of fruitcake on an obsessive campaign for no reason Edited December 10, 2020 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossy 666 Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 I’m lucky enough to have a good number we work with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rim Fire Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 On 10/12/2020 at 21:59, Vince Green said: A lady I have known for 40 odd years, very serious and enthusiastic member of RSPB, we have had our differences over the years but remain strong friends. she goes ballistic about red kites taking out song birds in the Thames Valley. A real Bee in her bonnet about red kites. I don't know enough to have a valid opinion But I know her well enough to think she is not some sort of fruitcake on an obsessive campaign for no reason I have flown and successfully bred Harris Hawks Goss Hawks Redtail and our common Buzzard and cant see a Red Kite flying down song birds as they are know as a scavengers not saying they cant catch anything but they are to big and clumsy for chasing song birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.