Sad times for me, I have been a happy backyard Dovecote doo keeper for four years now but after a disastrous winter am just about set to call it a day. Since November have had 18 of my doos taken by a sparrowhawk. Nothing deters him/her. I have no loft to keep them safe,they lived happily in all weathers in the doocots, I just enjoyed them for what they were, a fabulous sight on a cold clear day and great to watch them doing what they do best. In a vain attempt to keep some safe I have just caught two and have them in a large covered box and run and am hoping I might be able to get some more of them to keep safe until the end of April. Who knows I might be able to get some to breed when they are out again if they last but knowing my luck I have just been left with a bunch of males! Cant really afford to restock if I am only restocking to feed the hawk. I had always lost a few to the hawk each year which I guess was par for the course but this last winter has been horrendous, four in the last two weeks. My heart bleeds for you guys who have lofts full of valuable birds and who still get attacks. When Winterwatch was on TV and they did a piece about Sparrowhawks I sent them pictures of my slaughtered birds but they never used them! Thanks for all the help I have had since I started, the forum is full of great advice and tips for a newbie like me and very special thanks to Harry .