Hawks

[chickadee]

It’s been a long time since I’ve dealt with issues I’m having now. I’m a little rusty and forgetting things. My Martins have always been pretty easy and protected. Now I have a hawk. I have only 16 birds back I watched a hawk get one a few days ago and noticed last night he was sitting on a rack I yelled and if a bird could crap himself he did when he seen me. Lol but not even 30 min later he flew back threw and tried again. And I yelled again. I’ve never used decoys my question is do they work ? My birds are sneaking in when it’s almost black out at bed time and I think some of them didn’t come in at all. There has to be a way to help them with these hawks. Open to any ideas.

[flyin-lowe]

The decoys do help. As a hawk swoops in and the martins start to scatter the hawks typically focus on the martin they think is not paying attention, and will grab the decoy. You might have to move it from time to time depending on how many attacks you have. The only hawks I see that can get my martins are cooper and sharp shinned hawks. I don't ever see them perched on or near my housing. They usually come flying in from a distance and from a hidden location. The best thing for me is there a lots of kill deer birds in my area. They will spot a hawk from a long ways away and sound the alarm and everyone scatters.

[brent]

I agree. They do help. I have seen hawks attack the decoys giving the martins time to scatter. Move the decoys around. I have mine perched on bamboo so that they move with the wind. I also use an air horn. You can buy one at Walmart in the sporting goods department. When you see an attack sound it. The hawks are deterred by the sound. I also use a scarecrow that I dress up in clothing like mine. I move it around. Not sure if it works since I’ve witnessed attacks with the scarecrow out. Worth the try though. Good luck. Brent

[bootjack farm]

Good suggestions. I use plastic dove decoys and move them around. I think the hawks think they're better tasting . I buy the fiber glass posts at Tractor Supply and the decoys on NO Smiles Amazon. I don't fasten them tight so there's some give if the hawk does strike. One on the ground if you have a feeder might protect other tweety birds as well. Grackles, who nest in a nearby spruce often swarm and squawk should a hawk come by. I have also heard stories where a habitat provides such good cover, the hawks win no matter what you do. Good luck

[charlesgremillion]

I’ve have noticed that the number of attacks by a Coopers Hawk were reduced when a group of Crows moved into the neighborhood last month. I don’t know if the two are natural enemies or not but I have witnessed the Crows harassing the hawk on several occasions.