Peregrines 0 Young Cock 10

[Upsndoons]

So sat watching young cocks whizzing around the loft about 13.30 when Percy and his Mrs turn up for a bit of KFC pigeon style.

My other have grabs the mop and is out the back door like a demented Ninja closely followed be myself and faithful hound. We get onto the decking to left of loft just in time to see seven Doos heading south and two Percy's making final dive after them from North at maybe 40'. One doo on grass thinks best place to head is under six inch gap below loft.

 

What to do ?

 

Well obvious really......... Grab ya woolly hat of ya head and throw it up at Lead Percy as he crosses the garden.

 

F me he sheers off and goes straight up forgetting birds and thinking woolly eagle own is on his A@@e.

His mate does same as Doos keep heading south.

 

Percy then realises what a goof ball he looks and decides the farm pigeon in next village might be better bet.

 

'She who must be obeyed' is cussing like a navy boiler stoker and inviting Percy back for round two.

 

Honest if any of the neighbours had seen us taking on the ravenous winged raptor they would have wet their wee briefs with laughter, but it worked.

 

Yep, I know Percy and his girl will be back but Mrs say she will be ready for them next time.

 

Half time score was 7 Doos back in loft in half hour, black cock came out from under loft after another 5 mins, and pretended he was just picking grit off the mole hill near loft, final two appeared about hour later saying they just fancied a young hen in Cumbria so went for quick chat.

 

Like title says

 

Me Doos 10, Percys 0

 

Long may it last

[Kyleakin Lofts]

Good news, --------------- this time.

[Novice]

Over the past few days I have been seeing peregrines in my area. In fact I have a couple of hens missing and one just home with secondary feathers missing.

I don't normally suffer attacks till after the first week in February. I wonder if they have returned to their nest sites early because of the adverse weather knowing that they will be safer on home territory.

A fellow fancier who lives about 6 miles from me also reports problems just now.

 

Remedial action is now imminent.

[greenlands]

http://portek.co.uk/portfolio-item/bird-scaring-rockets/

[Upsndoons]

Had my second attack in two weekend, two weeks ago. Pair of Percys hit the cocks while I had just popped in the loft to close their trap after letting them out. They were going round really well then when I came out not a doo in sight. Next think was two cocks hitting loft landing board like they were rocket powered closely followed by one Percy.

Got them in and it when south to a field about 500 meters away.

Me and my other half then watched for nearly an hour as one Percy dived continue lay at something on ground or in the trees nearby.

Second hawk was working another group of trees.

Eventually, one Percy flew off but second stayed till it was dark.

 

Hard to believe this next bit but it's absolutely true.

 

Me and other half sat in family room which has big patio doors that evening. After an hour after dusk I heard tapping on glass door. At first I thought it was rain, when I looked there was my dark yearly cock knocking on the window. expletive remove you could have knocked me down. Other half just couldn't believe it either.

I went out and with the external PIR flood lights this guys comes in and brings in two other who were sat on loft roof.

 

He is now known as The Nightwatchman.

 

Final score was a blue cock lost to Percy and me down to 7 cocks to race this year.

 

Ah well just another challenge.

[Upsndoons]

Latest challenge.

Last weekend let hens out while keeping watch for Percy and his Mrs but all good for 40 mins. Got the ladies in except two who would not trap.

Went into loft and let the 7 cocks out for an hour. As I came out of the loft there on the grass in front of the loft was a blue hen just about to be dispatched by a male sparrow hawk.

My coming out of loft startles both birds and hawk lets go of hen. Hen is up and away like greased lightning ,hotly pursued by f hawk.

I watched then go south down the valley and out of site.

3 hours let I go to close up loft for the night and the hen flies in, with slight feather damage to left wing but otherwise ok.

So now I have sparrow Hawks and perigines to watch for every time iI let any birds out.

Great fun eh.

[andy Burgess]

its certainly no fun at all with the constant predators

[lanarkshire lad]

Latest challenge.

Last weekend let hens out while keeping watch for Percy and his Mrs but all good for 40 mins. Got the ladies in except two who would not trap.

Went into loft and let the 7 cocks out for an hour. As I came out of the loft there on the grass in front of the loft was a blue hen just about to be dispatched by a male sparrow hawk.

My coming out of loft startles both birds and hawk lets go of hen. Hen is up and away like greased lightning ,hotly pursued by f hawk.

I watched then go south down the valley and out of site.

3 hours let I go to close up loft for the night and the hen flies in, with slight feather damage to left wing but otherwise ok.

So now I have sparrow Hawks and perigines to watch for every time iI let any birds out.

Great fun eh.

Sorry to read this, it will ease up when the training and racing starts.

[Upsndoons]

So this weekends update,

And it's good news,

Saturday was a cracking day so was up early and let the hens out first. They flew for an hour all except young hawk bait hen that the sparrow hawk kissed last weekend. She sat on landing board most of time and looked around wondering what was going to happen next.

Anyway I kept watch all the time and no Percys or Madam Death were seen.

Got the ladies in after an hour and let's the young cocks out.

They were away and up and up into large blue yonder with no frights from BOP.

Interestingly while they were out I watched three crows chase and harass a sparrow hawk across the field below. Hawk sat in tree for a while but crows dogged it till it flew towards next door farm.

 

Watched it try its luck with the farm Doos but flew of empty handed to the west.

 

Young guns flew for an hour unharassed and came in at the call so it was a good day.

 

Will keep you posted as to how it goes.

 

Have a few startlers to hand should sparrow hawk come back, but just made it a rule now that when birds are out, I am on the decking keeping watch with ammo to deter the hunger winged killers.

 

Roll on race day. Lol

 

Cheers

 

[Uphill Lofts]

I admire your determination hope it eases up-for you soon.Things can only get better (WE HOPE.)