OMG, @BY Bob , that is terrible and very scary! Yes, they are very bold. I've heard of a hawk taking a small dog while being walked on a leash locally. The poor owner jumped, and dropped leash and hawk flew off with the dog.Near Death Experience
I almost lost either Aurora or Sydney this afternoon.
That's right, one or the other was dead meat but somehow Aurora saved them both.
Here's what happened.
It was really hot today and for once I did not have any major tasks I needed to do this weekend so I decided to take a swim in the pool. The girls were hiding in the shade under the magnolia tree and in Hattie House.
I swam over to the skimmer and decided to empty it for the ladies. Aurora and Sydney came trucking over and started to dig through the leaves for bugs. They were not more than 24 inches from me.
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Not only was I standing there half out of the pool, so was my daughter as she stood next to me as we watched them dig for bugs.
All of a sudden Aurora squawks and takes off. When Aurora moves she is going so fast she is using her wings to go faster. Sydney was head down when Aurora's wing hit her and startled she jumped straight up and took flight.
Jumping straight up likely saved her life as a very large Cooper's Hawk swooped past where Aurora had been and underneath Sydney.
That right, UNDERNEATH Sydney!
The hawk was so close to me I still can't figure out how its wing did not touch me! Here is an illustration.
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If the hawk has successfully hit one of the ladies, I could have reached out and strangled it with my bear hands. I likely would have.
I did not think I had to worry about a Cooper's Hawk trying to take out one of the big ladies. I figured they were too large for a Cooper's Hawk. Sure a Polish or Glynda. Aurora is a big lady. Similar is size to the Cooper's.
This hawk is a super threat to the girls and I don't know what to do. I had no chance of shooting it today. Éowyn was in the house at the time. Maybe her presence would have dissuaded the hawk because he would see her as a threat. It certainly has no fear of me at all.
After this attack the hawk did not return today. (I think I need to give the hawk a name. Maybe Satan....)
I am locking the girls in all day tomorrow but that is also not the answer. I'm truly scared for them.
Short of completely covering the top of your backyard with chicken wire to keep the hawk out, I really don't have an answer.
But likely quite hungry either way. Falconry Club is an EXCELLENT idea.
