pigeon master Posted September 10, 2004 Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 I was out shooting yesterday afternoon and a kestrel tried to take one of my decoys with it, must of thought it was a peregrine for a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted September 10, 2004 Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 Great Photo Pm But isnt your pattern a bit sparse? :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEREGRINE Posted September 10, 2004 Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 PM did it actually bind to a decoy or just pass one? The reason I ask is I have only ever seen a Kestrel attempt a woodpigeon once before. and that was in a very hard winter where it was life or death, and even then it was more a battle than a hunt. Maybe it was looking at a small mammel near your deec's. I see from your pic the kestrel is a female, this means she will weigh around 8oz and a woodpigeon would be way beyond her, especially at this time of year when there is lots of more suitable quarry around and she no longer has chicks to feed. I might be wrong but its Just a thought. Great pic though!! :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon master Posted September 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 FM, so were the real ones that day, :yp: Peregrine, I heard a similair story myself and thought what a load of pap, kestrels dont attack pigeons, Ive kept a few falcons in my younger years and thought that would never happen, how wrong I was. This female, and feather perfect too was hovering over the top of my decoys, this give me the time to get the camera out but I was a little too late and I didnt get the impact. She stooped straight down hit the decoy on the back, tried to lift it for a split second and she was away. You see some strange things when out shooting dont you, but I would have never believed ot myself. The PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon master Posted September 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 Hi, I forgot to mention she is this years young, Ive been watching a group of three for a few weeks now, You've got to give her credit for trying though eh. Has anyone seen that classic film Kes, after that I was hooked on raptors, waiting untill I retire though before I get my Peregrine and Goshawk, not enough time on my hands at 32. PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishandshoot Posted September 10, 2004 Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 There are more kestrals this year than I have ever seen before. I have also had them swoop at my decoys, Is it a teritory thing? you have to be very careful when they come in fast on a windy day as they do look like a small pigeon. I can sometimes watch them for hours if there are no pigeons around, fantastic birds. Ps... when we were loading the bales last week, there were hundreds of mice more than ever seen before. This is probably why the kestrals are doing so well!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon master Posted September 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 F&S, your dead right about them looking like pigeons, when they come from the front and your looking through your hide then the body gets ready for a take down untill you clock its a kessie. Nearlly had the one in the photo twice. :yp: PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishandshoot Posted September 11, 2004 Report Share Posted September 11, 2004 PM I think thats the difference between a good pigeon/rough shooter and a bad one. A good day out for me isn't 200 in the bag, Its about enjoying the countryside taking safe but challanging shots and priding myself in my recognition skills. I think if I shot a Kestral I'd seriously think about jacking it in!!! Anyway I'm off the walk the hedges as the ploughs been out this week and theres lots of crows!! Safe shooting to all fishandshoot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digga Posted September 11, 2004 Report Share Posted September 11, 2004 its happened to me when a buzzard went for my deeks, but forgot camera it was great to see, :yp: also my pattern must have been good to fool a great bird of prey like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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