Hawk attacks

[Martintown33]

2 hawk attacks already. Got a male this morning right in front of my eyes .. swooped in out of nowhere and grabbed him off the porch. No time to do anything.. The others gave chase but to no avail. Decoys are up. So Angry! Bummed..
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

Good lord Rob!!!!! Man that sux, I'm sorry man. They just got there. Damn sorry.

[birdman in buckhead]

Dude, that SUCKS! Especially so early. I'm very sorry to hear about it.

Hawk attacks have got to be the worst part of being a landlord. I can deal with sparrows, mites, early jumpers, other predators, and other things that harm our birds. But it seems like there is very little to do to prevent hawk attacks. Everything I've tried might deter them for a few days, but eventually the hawks return. And I don't think any of us can be on constant lookout every minute of every day! Like you said, it happens so fast that there's no time to react, even when you're watching. The times that I have reacted, it's always after the attack happened. To me, the worst is to find the remains of an eaten bird right under the housing, then I envision the scene of the crime and the other birds raising hell, and dive booming the hawk while it tears a bird apart. That's enough. I just put myself in a bad mood.

Good luck to everyone on a successful and hawk-free season!

[C.C.Martins]

Lady i work with handled raptors and took care of them. Tried to pick her brain for deterrents, she said little would work for long, they are fast learners. Depressing thread, sorry Rob.

[Phil01]

Ugh, that sucks Rob! Sorry to hear that sir! I agree, hawk attacks are the worst to see, especially this early on. Hope he choke on it…. I’m sure the decoys will help.

Looked out the kitchen window this morning and a big ole Red Shouldered Hawk was sitting on top of the gourd rack getting dive bombed by my new arrivals… I ran out there and chased him off. He didn’t get any, they generally don’t mess with my Martins. It’s the smaller coopers and sharp shined that come out of nowhere…

I’m sorry Rob, hope he moves on…
Phil

[tor]

Sorry about the attacks on your colony. When you say decoys, what decoys are you using? I use several dove decoys located in strategic locations at the colony. I don't put them up until the middle of the season. I see little activity before that time. The peek of the hawk attacks at my colony are as the fledging starts.

I move the doves around during the last half of the season. I do this every two days. These decoys take a beating, so I replace them every two years or so. At least at my colony, these doves take the brunt of the attacks.

[Martintown33]

Agree all.. I’ve never had hawk attacks this early before.. it’s been unusually warm,.. in the high 70’s low 80s… I was up to 12 martins already, paired up and living in compartments.. more arriving everyday. They were being extremely social and spending lots of time during the day, chirping , preening and singing.. man ,it occurred to me, they are really ringing the dinner bell… Went outside this morning to enjoy them. Then the hawk, a sharp shinned, swooped in, grabbed him.. I’ve eye witnessed 3 successful attacks in the last few years.. these hawks are smart. They always attack, from my blind side.. so I don’t see them coming, and don’t have time to do anything. Even push the blow horn button, before he’s flying off with a screaming Martin… and I’ve noticed they really like to attack on foggy mornings.. I guess it’s harder for the martins to see them coming, in the fog.. it’s going to be very foggy tomorrow too… But I know one of his perch spots… I’ll be looking for him in the morning…….. He can bet on that…. Not a good move on his part..
Rob

[Martintown33]

The hawk wasnt on his perch spot this morning.. lucky him.. Being a Martin landlord is definitely a catch 22 situation. The more enjoyment and entertainment our martins give us, by perching, socializing, singing and chirping, the more at risk of hawk attack they become, and the more at risk of grief and loss we become. My martins have gone into silent mode since the 2 hawk attacks yesterday. So that hawk, not only kills martins, but steals my enjoyment of them, I realize the hawk has to eat, but there’s lots of birds and squirrels everywhere. Go eat them. My martins are not on the menu.. if I can stop it… As far as I’m concerned, they are the enemy..
Rob

[brent]

It is disturbing to say the least. I know I had an attack this morning because when I went out at about 7 the martins were flying high and that is unusual. From experience it happens after the attack. It took them a while to come back in but they seemed to still be unsettled. February is the worst month for hawks. I documented so many last year some times 3 to 4 attacks in one day. Lost some. Some taken right before my eyes while I was sounding the alarm, yelling and waving my hand. Disappointed and almost hopeless. The bright side is it all ended to be a wonderful season. I know that my interventions help save some so tomorrow I’m getting up extra early. I know how it feels Rob. Good luck! Brent

[Dave Duit]

I promise not to go on a cussing rant about those hawks. Last year only after 6 martins had returned in the spring, a coopers started swooping in. Like I said, I promise no cussing here. Anyway, I was at the end and beyond mad; so here is what I will be trying this season. Crow decoys by https://www.ureaduckdecoys.com/products/assault-crow
Supposedly, hawks don't like crows because crows are one of the few birds that are not afraid of hawks and the pester hawks when in the area.
Next, string plastic coated clothesline every 10 inches apart overhanging my roofs that are above my housing and about one foot out from the porches. Clothesline is taut (tight) and attached to a permanent metal square structure shape one foot below the bottom of the porch. In this way, the hawk would have to make a straight on frontal attack instead of a side swipe attack. I didn't add a photo here, because every landlords set up is different. Basically stretch clothes line vertically in front of the porches one foot out, but still offer a clear exit and entrance for the martins off their porches. Lastly, tons of decoys. Best of luck everyone. I also found out the hard way, that merely being present in your yard makes no difference to a coopers or sharp shinned hawk. They are not afraid of people. I feel for every landlord who has had hawk issues.

[Martintown33]

Agree with your observations Brent. My martins behave the same way after an attack. Sorry for your attack.. it does suck. Now im on pins and needles .. every time I hear their alarm call I want to run outside and look. But I’m going to do whatever it takes.. because they have no fear of humans as has been stated..
.. and agree Dave.. I will build a barricade as you describe for next season. Too late for this season, as the martins are established already. Damn hawks!
Rob

[Thomabear]

Darn Rob, sorry to hear this. Those hawks are getting too plentiful and they definitely have figured out our martins are easy meals. One thing I’ve noticed at our cabin site colony is that the crows definitely deter them. A couple years ago we put up a deer feeder off our back porch for my wife to watch her pets, lol and the crows show up daily to get a little food and they nest in the surrounding pine trees. Guess what? The hawks stay away. Not sure if this would be an option for you but I can attest that it works for us. Never liked crows before but now we like them hanging around the area.

[Martintown33]

Damn hawk wasn’t on his perch spot again this morning. Whenever I’m ready for him, he doesn’t show up.
Agree Thomabear. .. hawks hate crows. I saw a bunch of crows harassing a Cooper’s hawk 2 days ago. Last season, I had a group of crows that hung out in an oak tree about 30 yards from my colony. They hung out there all season and I didn’t have any hawk issues. But for some reason the crows aren’t there this year. What type deer feeder are you using and what do you bait it with?
Dave could you post a photo of your clothesline hawk guard .. I saw it before when you posted it, but I want to save a photo of it for when I build one for next season. Thanks ..
Rob

[Thomabear]

Rob, the one I have is a Moultrie 30 gallon deer feeder. See attached pic. They are just a little over $100. It comes with a timer I set to throw a little whole corn in the morning and evening. It’s like a dinner bell when it goes off. Here’s a pic of it. You can see my martin house in the background. This colony is thriving and the crows definitely keep any hawks in check. I also use a solar fence charger for any ground approaching predators like snakes and coons. If they touch that pole they will have a bad day and won’t return for another round.

[Dave Reynolds]

…. So hard to see…. Seems like there is not any thing to do but watch…. Hopefully the Hawk will move on in time..

Dave

[Thomabear]

Agree Dave, at our home colony they use my shed which is about 50’ away to fly around just above the ground. Once they get under the house they swoop up and nab the martins off the porches. Those hawks are masters of strategy and ambush. I haven’t had any attacks at home this year but I know its only a matter of time. I’ll probably wind up installing another crow feeder aka. deer feeder at home.

[brent]

Hi everyone. I had a hawk attack this morning at about 10:30. The martins sounded their alarm and in seconds the hawk attacked but hit the decoys twice. All the while I’m sounding the air horn. He flew but he’ll be back. For the new landlords I’ve attached where I have my decoys in relation to the houses. I’ll move them this afternoon because these hawks learn fast and best to keep them guessing. Brent

[Thomas Maddox]

That really stinks. I've not had any real issues with hawks yet, but it is a matter of time because they are plentiful here in SWLA. I've seen multiple pictures of of people using what looks like hogwire type barriers around their PM houses with success and the PMs don't seem to mind it at all. I'll try to find some of those pictures. I remember also reading an article stating that during the late 1900s, the pesticides used in agriculture really knocked down the #s of raptors and they became protected. Since then though, their #s have increased to the point where they are actually moving into neighborhoods and cities to hunt.

[Martintown33]

Thanks Thomabear for the info.. dang Brent .. another attack. Terrible. You seem to have a lot of attacks every season. Has to be tough man… that would drive me crazy! you may wish to build some sort of barrier, for next season, as Dave duit describes.. I’m looking at my setup and coming up with a way to adopt Dave’s idea to fit my setup , for next season.
Rob

[brent]

It seems that I do have a lot of hawk attacks. Maybe it’s no different from other colonies since I stay around, especially outside, observing and just happen to witness many of them. And what’s interesting is that last year, on this very day, I had noted a hawk attack at 9:30 then. Today’s attack was at 10:34. From now until around mid March I can expect hawk attacks. It seems to lessen after that. It’s really frustrating, but, at the same time, I think the hawks miss most of the time and the martins adjust their behavior to survive. I will lose some. I have to say that even though it’s never easy losing a martin I’ve gained a greater appreciation for the dynamics of nature. I’m going to sound the air horn when I have to. Damn hawks!