Attracting Crows to combat Hawks
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PMS in Virginia
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Fri May 15, 2009 9:48 am
- Location: Virginia/ Bassett
There are a few crows around but I would like more. It is my understanding they are about the only enemy of hawks. Any suggestions and/or comments about attracting the crows is appreciated. Other than "road kills" what would be good food for them? I tried shelled corn last year but it seems the deer likes corn, also. If corn turns out to be the best I will try elevating a feeding platform.
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
I must have a crows roost about a quarter or half mile from my site. I do believe this helps some with owls and hawks. They will mob owls in the woods below me. They seem to mainly be protecting their nesting territory from them.
It is strange that I hear owls from September through about this time each year but not so much during the crow nesting season.
Can't say there's a remedy for the large number of migrating hawks that come through about now however. There sure is a bunch of them around regardless.
Putting corn out could potentially make things worse. It will attract every type of vermin and birds to eat it, then all the predators that feed on them. Crows are also nest robbers remember. They snatch nestlings from many other bird's nests.
I knew of a landlord that was constantly battling owls. He used to feed animals at a corn crib on the property. I thought that perhaps the owls were perching on his Martin housing to prey on the animals eating corn at night. Then they may have heard the Martins inside and begun preying on them.
Feeding stations for wild birds attract hawks to that area.( I used to do so prior to Martins.) So if you are feeding or a neighbor is feeding that will certainly attract more hawks to an area.
Doug
It is strange that I hear owls from September through about this time each year but not so much during the crow nesting season.
Can't say there's a remedy for the large number of migrating hawks that come through about now however. There sure is a bunch of them around regardless.
Putting corn out could potentially make things worse. It will attract every type of vermin and birds to eat it, then all the predators that feed on them. Crows are also nest robbers remember. They snatch nestlings from many other bird's nests.
I knew of a landlord that was constantly battling owls. He used to feed animals at a corn crib on the property. I thought that perhaps the owls were perching on his Martin housing to prey on the animals eating corn at night. Then they may have heard the Martins inside and begun preying on them.
Feeding stations for wild birds attract hawks to that area.( I used to do so prior to Martins.) So if you are feeding or a neighbor is feeding that will certainly attract more hawks to an area.
Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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bootjack farm
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:30 am
- Location: Russell, Pa
- Martin Colony History: 9 years of trying hard...finally in 2017 I had 3 pair w/ 11 babies. T-14 +4 w/ 4 Troyer horiz. gourds. Troyer Super System 24. Fast forward to 2020... 64 fledged.
I agree w/ Doug.
Northwest PA
Yes, it helps. Having crows near by is one of several things you can do to discourage hawks hanging around.
The best way I've found is to have crow decoys. You can buy plastic or other material that you can stick
pegs in the ground to hold or clip to something in the area. They also have "flying" crows that you can
hang and the wind will blow them. And, they have a "cawing" crow you can buy; I like him the best.
They are battery operated. Good luck.
The best way I've found is to have crow decoys. You can buy plastic or other material that you can stick
pegs in the ground to hold or clip to something in the area. They also have "flying" crows that you can
hang and the wind will blow them. And, they have a "cawing" crow you can buy; I like him the best.
They are battery operated. Good luck.