Well, it happened again. The first young of the year came out yesterday and today. A nest with six young. One yesterday and the rest today. The parents brought them back this evening and were trying to get them all back in the nest. No small job with that many young. Two or three would go in and while the parents were chasing the others those in the gourd would fly out again.
Of course there was a lot of screaming and yelling by the parents and the other birds trying to keep them out of their gourds. Anyway, Mr. Hawk made its strike and took one of the young right out of the air. Fledglings cannot compete with this hawk at their stage of development. It happens every year. The hawk knows when there are young birds around and makes a living for awhile at my colony. Usually the parents will not bring the young back after one or two nights due to the incessant attacks by these predators. So I miss one of the best parts of being a landlord but I'm glad they don't keep bringing them back. There will be a lot of birds fledging young in the next two weeks so I'm sure there will be more losses. Not much you can do about it. I can stand under the tacks and these birds will still attack. Good luck to everyone for the rest of this season.
Cooper's hawk!
Hi Jack,
Sorry to hear that you are losing fledglings too. I had three nests that were fledging last Tuesday and a coopers hawk stalked the colony all day. I did see him get at least one. Fortunately he didn't get them all and they are getting better at flying everyday. It is all part of the package but it is still hard to watch.
Good luck
James
Sorry to hear that you are losing fledglings too. I had three nests that were fledging last Tuesday and a coopers hawk stalked the colony all day. I did see him get at least one. Fortunately he didn't get them all and they are getting better at flying everyday. It is all part of the package but it is still hard to watch.
Good luck
James
James Mejeur
-
Guest
Somehow playing into all that has been said here I read a form, of elimination, of the weakest leaving more, of the fittest. Nature has a way, of balance, to her needs. Your remaining young will grow smarter and stronger with each successful escape, from any danger. Surely they can not all be champion crafty fliers at an early stage. The surviving will be your start, to a stronger colony.
My racing homing pigeon buddys cull their flocks, to carry forward the best they can train. They do not waste time keeping less than the best they think they have.
My racing homing pigeon buddys cull their flocks, to carry forward the best they can train. They do not waste time keeping less than the best they think they have.