Pesty dangerous hawk...

[clivia98]

Hi Everyone,

I have a hawk attacking for several days now. He has hit my decoys 3-4 times now and luckily, from what I have witnessed, he has not taken any birds. I was just out (sun set) and the birds were in a frantic mood flying high and chirping. I went near the houses and did not see the hawk but know it was him. The poor birds quickly entered the compartments and I could tell they were scared. My question is what else can I do to protect them? I have the decoys on a separate pole (3 total) and I have a scare crow (might put a second one up). I live in a rural area with open fields and trees in the distance. I have witnessed this hawk come out of no where and attack the decoys. I think that I am as frantic as the birds. Any suggestions?

Jerry

[C.C.Martins]

Hi Clivia98,
Its rough watching that, you sound like you have the decoys up which is working...hawk wastes his/her attack. Keep them up and maybe try to figure out what direction the attacks are coming from, so u can move the decoys around. Keep moving them, hawk will learn fast. Best defense is your presence, carry a yard stick with a bright ribbon or tape and be ready to wave it. Watch your birds. they will see the hawk before u will so you may know where its at. Being out there at when they come in is the best defense. Eventually the martins will know that is their que to safety. The hawk will hopefully migrate on but in the meantime do what u can, i hope this helped, its hard to watch but your colony will persevere.
All the best,
Tom