Hawks in the city

[thndrdancr]

Well goodness,

If possums, coons, skunks, and cats werent enuff, I had the girls out playing in the yard today, and my sis was on the porch, and she yells at me..."Jill, HAWK, get the girls"......Well, they usually stay pretty close, I was also in the drive casually looking for them, but I had been trying to rescue a young robin that got blown out of the nest so was busy.
So I look for the girls, and Red is soooo sky savvy, there they were, hiding under sis' truck, peering up at the sky rather mournfully. Funny, as skittish as Fussy is, she doesnt keep an eye on the sky. Red hid from balloons one day, I was so proud of her, they were WAYYYYY up there too. Dont even know how she saw them. Well, they must have seen the hawk (there were two) and the hawks DEFINITELY saw the chickens cuz they were hovering lower and lower trying to get a good shot I think.
I trilled/screeched at the girls and opened the door and they came arunnin, smart girls.
One thing I was thinkin I didnt have to worry bout in the heart of the city were hawks. Sigh.....

Jill

 

[bantymum]

Yes I have hawks visiting my place frequently.
Do keep an eye on your littlies as the hawks usually will return. They know whats in your yard!!!!

 

[justusnak]

So true. Now that the hawks know the chicks are there, they will be watching. You might not see one sitting in a tree...they hide pretty well untill the time comes when an unsuspecting hen gets out in the open. Please be carefull.

 

[Whirlwind]

Yes they know, be carful. Yesterday morn. we had one sit down right in front of coop. Girls didnt get out to free range. This morning one in tree right above and beside the coop. No play time again today. Hope he gets tired of waiting and moves on again.

 

[thndrdancr]

Thanks for the warning. That is what I was afraid of, now I will be afraid to let the girls out in the yard, even when I am watching.
The one hawk was definitely trying to "come down for a meal".
Its sometimes hard to watch the sky, I try to keep my eyes open for everything else, people walkin dogs (sometimes ya just dont hold that leash tight), cats, etc. But hawks..man they can just comeout of nowhere fast.
I remember seeing them soaring way high yesterday when taking hubby to work and thinking how beautiful they were and I hoped they didnt come to my house...and then two hours later.....
well, they girls are gonna think they are being punished...
Jill

 

[bantymum]

Have you got a rooster. they give off a very audible warning sound when a bird of prey is there, and even if its a harmless bird they do it!!
Maybe try scaring it with a bang!
Try and get the courage to let them out while you babysit them, i do it but watch the sky, trees etc.
yes they do hide very well and are swift when they swoop so stay near your littlies, so near you nearly step on them!!
Good luck .