hawk/owl problems

[romeos mommy]

is it me or is the hawk/owl population out of control. i'm really fearful for my little guy playing in the yard. is there a way to deter them? i heard an owl dangerously close while we were walking today.

[jencar98]

I notice more hawks now than even ten years ago. I think the problem is because as the human population increases and steadily grows into what once was "their" territory (suburbs and out in the country) we are more aware of them. Also as they are federally protected birds and have few natural predators their numbers are increasing.

There are things you can hang in trees and the motion is supposed to scare away birds. Also, I've heard a fake rubber snake (big ones) placed in a tree will scare owls away, but I've never tried it, so I don't know if they work.

Just to be safe I never let my two out but what I'm not right there with them. And, even that isn't always going to save them. I've heard of hawks or owls swooping down and carrying away a small dog with the owner right there.

[kalina82]

i haven't seen any flying around my yard but i have noticed that we now have Peregrine falcons in the area. My last job was for a pharmaceutical company in my city which is on a huge complex. one day as i was walking to my building this huge shadow went over me. i was totally confused and when i looked up i saw this HUGE bird. i was like WTF? i saw them a lot more on the complex when i actually started looking for them. i was amazed. Those are the only big birds i have noticed in my city. However on the side of the city where i live there is a mountain which is being turned into residential areas (which we all hate). a lot of the animals have been coming down off the mountain (deer, bears, fox, coyote) and i heard that there are other birds of prey. i haven't seen them tho. needless to say, morgan never goes out in the yard alone.

[patty58]

I never let Murfee out without me right there. We live in the country and know there are owls and hawks. Sometimes I think I want Richard to build a cover for the whole back yard but know that isn't feasible.

[Sookie]

PUt a fake owl in your yard on a post or on top of the garage. They won't come around if they think another bird of prey is already there.

[Rae Rae]

The other morning when I took Rocky out I heard a hawk, then I saw it fly out from behind the house across the street Luckily it was flying away though, I don't think it saw Rocky.

[romeos mommy]

Originally Posted by Rae Rae

The other morning when I took Rocky out I heard a hawk, then I saw it fly out from behind the house across the street Luckily it was flying away though, I don't think it saw Rocky.

omg! be careful...i keep an eye in the sky.

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by romeos mommy

omg! be careful...i keep an eye in the sky.

Oh yeah, I always keep an eye out, sometimes they won't make noise. I was so glad the hawk flew away, but I was still so nervous. Wherever Rocky walked I was literally standing right over him. He was probably like "How am I supposed to do my business now mom?" LOL. If the hawk did stay around, he would've had to potty in the house because I was about to leave for work and couldn't stay and wait for the hawk to leave. Of course, I'd rather him potty in my house then outside when a hawk is lurking! I'm just soo thankful it flew away!

[romeos mommy]

i've never heard any noise from them....

i'm so shocked...yesterday i saw a red tailed hawk above our house. i didn't even know they were in nj.

[Sookie]

Originally Posted by romeos mommy

i've never heard any noise from them....

i'm so shocked...yesterday i saw a red tailed hawk above our house. i didn't even know they were in nj.

You'll find hawks pretty much everywhere in the US.

[KathyinCali]

I have a problem with them in our area too

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by Sookie

PUt a fake owl in your yard on a post or on top of the garage. They won't come around if they think another bird of prey is already there.

Yes, this method really does work. You can put on on top of your house and fence. You can even tie those silver streamers around the neck for movement which really keeps preditors away.

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Yes, this method really does work. You can put on on top of your house and fence. You can even tie those silver streamers around the neck for movement which really keeps preditors away.

I'm definitly going to try the fake owl/bird thing. Our association will probably send us complaint letters, but it's definitly better then having predators flying around.

[romeos mommy]

Originally Posted by Rae Rae

I'm definitly going to try the fake owl/bird thing. Our association will probably send us complaint letters, but it's definitly better then having predators flying around.

i'm getting one asap. these hawks are scaring me.

[Shelby&Seymour]

How about letting him wear a bright colored t-shirt?? Like Bright yellow, hot pink, electric blue or neon green??? It may make a difference. (I don't think a hawk thinks of its "prey" as something in clothing...... I wonder if they are color blind.... something to look in to!!!)