UkPigeonRacing

How’s members that are flying birds out going for sparrow hawk attacks this last few weeks
I am 10 days away from parting mine but then will have them out once the hens are removed
Hate this time of year

Hello Neil, I'm not to worried about the sparrowhawk I'm well prepared for them, my problem is Peregrine's, they usually pay a visit just when the ybs are just getting a bit more confidence & we have breeding pairs within a mile radius near me, to be onest there's not a lot I can do about that.
I'm hoping that the local population of ferrals will take a hit as plenty about for sparrowhawk & peregrine.
Regards Dave.

CHARLTON34 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 4:11 pm Hello Neil, I'm not to worried about the sparrowhawk I'm well prepared for them, my problem is Peregrine's, they usually pay a visit just when the ybs are just getting a bit more confidence & we have breeding pairs within a mile radius near me, to be onest there's not a lot I can do about that.
I'm hoping that the local population of ferrals will take a hit as plenty about for sparrowhawk & peregrine.
Regards Dave.

That must be bloody horrible
I only have had the peregrine once at home it was horrible
Sparrow hawks are constant here

I have had mine out the last 3 mornings but only for a short period. Fingers crossed no problems so far. But like Dave I have more problems around here the past couple of years from the peregrine. Regularly flying over.

It's scary getting the youngsters started. Mine are big now and are flying high and fast so the hawks have a bit more trouble getting them
Good luck to everyone who is just getting their birds back out again, I hope you all get through it with minimal losses.

As most of you know, Sparrow hawks are my problem.
My birds are still on lockdown and will be for a few weeks yet, I've just started breeding so having babies out isn't a problem for a few more weeks yet, my oldest baby, which was a one off, is just over two weeks old. I'll start letting the birds out at weekends at the beginning of March, I know I'll be taking a chance, and the hen is at her most dangerous for another couple of weeks, or longer of this weather doesn't warm up soon, but with racing only 7 weeks away I've got to get them flying at some point.

Same here Trev parting mine in 7 days so I have to take the chance
I do think we should consider starting maybe last Saturday in April and going in a couple of weeks with ybs for those that are keen

NeilA wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2025 3:13 pm Same here Trev parting mine in 7 days so I have to take the chance
I do think we should consider starting maybe last Saturday in April and going in a couple of weeks with ybs for those that are keen

Should go back to the good old days start late April and two weeks off before young bird racing starts

Buster121 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2025 7:56 pm

NeilA wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2025 3:13 pm Same here Trev parting mine in 7 days so I have to take the chance
I do think we should consider starting maybe last Saturday in April and going in a couple of weeks with ybs for those that are keen

Should go back to the good old days start late April and two weeks off before young bird racing starts

We have a weeks break normally now I see a useless any age race is in that week

Mine have been getting out all winter, locked them up middle of January, that's them until the first week in April.