Guest Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 Hiya, My chickens last night had a rather close incounter with a sparrowhawk or a buzzard. I was out but my next door neighboors were in their garden and spotted a large bird, it swooped out of the sky killed a fat pigeon that was just standing on the path, and flew away with it. Now there are loads of feathers everywhere. Confused They said my chickens were just standing there still and silent, shocked at the size of the thing. As they had never seen one before i think it would have been quite a shock! Shocked Ellie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 I have never seen Buzzard or Sparrowhawk flying near to us but I am sure they must be around....... When we picked our third chicken up from the breeder in Flintshire she said they had regular visits from Buzzards that often took her chickens especially the bantams,I suppose if the chickens are out in the garden there is not much you can do to stop them, sounds like your chooks had a lucky escape................. Good job there was a nice fat pigeon around to distract it, poor pigeon........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 We frequently get a visit from "Evil Edna" the Sparrowhawk but she's never gone anywhere near the girls. She usually takes sparrows or starlings. They can take anything up to a pigeon or collared dove sized bird but I think compared to her bodysize, the hens are just too large. Not sure about Buzzards - they are much bigger . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 We get Buzzards and Kestrels in the field at the back - usually after pigeons and mice. They don't appear to even look at the chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 Wasn't evil edna the TV shaped witch from willo the wisp cartoon sorry a bit off topic but my memory won't stop me asking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 Yes - those were the days! I went to a fancy dress party as Mavis the Fat Fairy!! Didn't need a costume ! "Evil Edna" is also the nickname we gave to a rather vicious Nursing Officer we had when I was in training - suited her, I can tell you ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 Thanks Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 I loved Mavis and Edna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 That was one of my favourites as well, though I was far too old (about 30 at the time I think). I liked Arthur the Caterpillar, and The Moog with its wonderful vacant expression. We get loads of buzzards and hawks here, though I've never seen one come down into the garden. Its interesting to see how the crows see off the buzzards by flying round just underneath them so that the buzzards can't swoop down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 That was one of my favourites as well, though I was far too old (about 30 at the time I think). I liked Arthur the Caterpillar, and The Moog with its wonderful vacant expression. I was in the sixth form when it was on and it's a bit sad to think of a whole load of 17/18 year olds running home to watch a cartoon series on TV in the evenings but we loved it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 I watched it with my children! - what was this topic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 Big Birds! "Evil Edna" the sparrowhawk (also a character on Willo The Wisp incidentally - did we mention that already ???) is a big bad bird! Perfectly on topic, I think ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 After saying that the Buzzards or Kestrels didn't appear to have bothered with the chickens, a sparrowhawk came down and settled on a fence post last night right next to the run. It was almost dusk and Carl was quietly watching the girls after an earlier problem with Mrs.W. The sparrowhawk obviously hadn't seen Carl and took off hurriedly when it did - good job we've got the roof netting because otherwise it would just be a large open pen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
