Hi all, I live on a farm with numerous types of foul including rare breeds of ducks and chickens, within the past month we have lost up to 5 ducks and 4 chickens with nothing left except a bunch of feathers, the culprit we believe is a peregrine falcon. Is there anyway of deterring this from our land and animals as if not as a last resort extreme action will be taken. thanks in advance.
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peregrine falcon problem (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter JJS87
- Start date
Cosworthlady
Well-known member
I think extreme action is against the law!
Hope someone else more knowledgeable comes along soon.
Maybe you should chat to the RSPB about your problem.
Hope someone else more knowledgeable comes along soon.
Maybe you should chat to the RSPB about your problem.
Isurus
Well-known member
Have you actually seen the bird taking your animals? I'm not convinced what's taking your birds is a peregrine (chickens sound kind of an unusual prey choice) but in the event it is you should be aware that "extreme action" kind of suggests an intent to commit what would be a rather serious wildlife crime with consequences.
Keith Glasgow
Well-known member
I'd be 99% sure that a Peregrine is not your problem - Without knowing all the details, it's difficult to be certain, but foxes, rats, mink, etc would need to be considered. When plucking their prey, raptors usually bend the shaft of the main flight feathers as they pluck them out, but foxes usually shear/cut them off with their teeth.
Out of interest, why do you conclude that your problem might be a Peregrine?
Frustrating though the problem is, 'extreme action' if too extreme might cross the boundary of what is legal/illegal - I suspect there'll be someone along shortly to emphasis this!
Keith.
It certainly is illegal, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981:
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1377
As mentioned previously, if you are sure it's a raptor best to talk to the RSPB for the best course of (legal) action.
Good luck.
ChrisKten
It's true, I quite like Pigeons
I'd definitely get in touch with the RSPB, I'm sure they will help identify whether or not Peregrines are to blame (which, as has been stated, seems very unlikely).
I must say that the fact you have posted here to seek advice is admirable. Please seek as much advice (including regarding the law) as possible before considering your next move.
Well I personally am an animal lover who is 100% for the protection and conservation of British Wildlife. But from a buisness prospective i carnt afford to keep losing valuble livestock on a weekly basis.
I beleive its a raptor due to the nature of the remains that has been left. The latest kill, which was this morning, was a large duck and the remains left were only the feathers and a beak, everthing else was gone which has been the nature of all the other attacks. From experience over the years im certain its not a fox kill or that of any small mammel (minx etc) as these are easy to recognise. After researching the internet the only bird that i beleive the culprit could be is a peregrine due to a number of factors eg Habitat, feeding habits, usual prey etc.
I havent suggested anything untoward, i am just seeking advice on the issue, if your livestock and pets were underthreat im sure youd do the same.
thanks
Clive A
Well-known member
Doesn't sound like Peregrine to me,do you know them to be in the area?Surely you should have seen something by now."Extreme action"against an unknown source, seems untoward to me.I can understand your frustration, but you need to get the facts before you do anything you might regret.
Peregrines take birds in flight. The classic Peregrine kill (and I see say ten a month) is a headless copse, on its back, with the breast, heart and liver removed. Everything else intact.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68834561@N00/312105199
http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/albums/Scarborough-Peregrines-2009/Peregrine_F_M_IMG_7847.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68834561@N00/312105199
http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/albums/Scarborough-Peregrines-2009/Peregrine_F_M_IMG_7847.jpg
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mike from ebbw
Well-known member
If the culprit is indeed a raptor then it is almost certainly a Goshawk.They will take anything up to the size of a Hare.A Peregrine will only take Birds in flight as has already been said and the remains just dont sound like a Peregrine kill.How can you be sure it isnt a Fox or a member of the Mustelid family?We had a pair of Peacocks that were taken by a Mink.All the animal ate was the back of the head as the rest of it was too big to be carried away.Are the remains out in the open or has the victim been carried into cover to be eaten?A Goshawk would carry it into cover if anything.Also you dont mention when the victims have been taken.Was it at night or very early morning?All these factors would have some bearing on finding out the culprit.
As a keeper of livestock though these things must be expected.Its not nice that you are losing birds/money and you have my sympathy but thats nature.A predator will always return to a regular food source.The only way you could fight it would be to keep the Birds in a covered pen as Gamekeepers do but drastic action certainly isnt the way to go.
As a keeper of livestock though these things must be expected.Its not nice that you are losing birds/money and you have my sympathy but thats nature.A predator will always return to a regular food source.The only way you could fight it would be to keep the Birds in a covered pen as Gamekeepers do but drastic action certainly isnt the way to go.
Moraybirdlover
Well-known member
We live in an area with a lot of Buzzards. After 12 years of no problems with them we suddenly started to lose fowl, including adult birds. We have seen them killing so there is no doubt as to culprit. Our only way of dealing with this was to pen the birds with roofed pens.
A suggested method of deterring them, which didnt seem to work!, was hanging old CD`s up . This was supposed to scare them with the light flashing as they rotated in the breeze.Also suggested was a feeding post for the Buzzards as far away from the fowl as possible. Put road casualty rabbits etc there. Do not use poultry, as this encourages the Predators. If they were feeding there they wernt taking the fowl.
We have lost far more birds to Mink, Fox, Badgers and Stoats.For the ground predators we use Electric fencing and Fox lights.
I have never seen a kill site with just a beak and feathers left though. The Buzzards either took the prey away or left a half eaten carcass.
We feel that the Buzzards were a rougue pair as after penning for about 5 years no fowl escapees were taken.
A suggested method of deterring them, which didnt seem to work!, was hanging old CD`s up . This was supposed to scare them with the light flashing as they rotated in the breeze.Also suggested was a feeding post for the Buzzards as far away from the fowl as possible. Put road casualty rabbits etc there. Do not use poultry, as this encourages the Predators. If they were feeding there they wernt taking the fowl.
We have lost far more birds to Mink, Fox, Badgers and Stoats.For the ground predators we use Electric fencing and Fox lights.
I have never seen a kill site with just a beak and feathers left though. The Buzzards either took the prey away or left a half eaten carcass.
We feel that the Buzzards were a rougue pair as after penning for about 5 years no fowl escapees were taken.
Yeh thats the only irregularity, the fact that peregrines take most of their prey in flight.
We live in a large wooded valley. A habitat favoured by peregrines?
@Mike - the kills have all been made at dawn, as our animals are penned in at night and they have been made in open fields, the latest being on our front lawn.
Its a pretty fundamental one!
Well it is not unheard of for them to take prey off the ground, but yeh thanks for your useful reply!
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