Hawks!

[Gew]

This afternoon we had the dogs on the enclosed deck outside the family room. We had Max outside, too, in his playyard. We were sitting and playing with the two collies and three yorkies enjoying the nice weather. I heard the sound of a hawk, looked up, and saw a hawk flying high over head, disappearing over the house. I really thought the hawk was just passing by. Having Max in his playyard, we gave the dogs the "to the house" command opening the screen slider. The four went in quickly and I grabbed Max hearing that whining sound above. Looking back outside after closing the door, several hawks were still above the yard circling. We all made it safely in, but while the yorkies are never outside alone, we are going to leash them because we have a fenced in 1/2 acre and I sure can't run as fast as a bird flies.

If anyone can make suggestions, boy could I used them. In any case, I just wanted to remind you all of the danger. I never thought a hawk would come near two collies, two people and three yorkies, and maybe they were just looking and diving for something else, but boy I am giving my loves extra hugs today.

Gew

[Wall-eWorld]

So scary, glad everyone made it inside safely!
There's a hawk in my neighborhood too. I always do a scan before I let mine out in the yard. The local birds will make a racket when the hawk is near too. Nice little alarm system!

[Gew]

The birds are a great signal. We have acres going down to the river that are just Forrest. Our neatly mowed 1/2 acre backyard must look like a feeding field!

Thanks.

Gew

[fanatic4yorkies]

Oh my gosh, that really sounds scary to have those hawks circling above! Wish I could give you some advice, but since we have eagles and hawks by us, my dogs will ONLY be outside on a leash or on our laps when not on a leash. DH thinks I am too paranoid and that I should let them run free on our deck, but guess who wins out in this argument??!!!! If there was such a thing as a huge hamster exercise ball, I might try that!

[Lovetodream88]

The smaller the fenced in area the harder it is for the bigger birds to swop down and get them and get back up so you could try blocking off some of your fenced in area. We have an eagle and hawks but our yard is to small for them to get in and out.

[Gew]

Wow. Not sure how we could do it and mow but it's worth a try. We paid a fortune ( to us) to put eight foot fencing around for the safety of the dogs from deer ticks only to make them sitting ducks for hawks. At least the black bear has not been back so far.

Thanks. I'm going to think about implementing your suggestion.

Gew

[mimimomo]

Put bright clothing on them, colorful the better & you must pay attention like a hawk! Maybe even put reflective tape over a vest or something? It confuses the predatory birds...our Yorkies do not look like widdle bunnies.

I think it was Mandy's mom, Teri....she always put the orange pumpkin Halloween costume on Mandy the Yorkie when going outside LOL.

Or invest in one of these...coyote & hawk deterrent! https://www.coyotevest.com/

[Gew]

My, Lord! These outfits are scary looking!

Gew

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by Gew

My, Lord! These outfits are scary looking!

Gew

LOL imagine what it looks like to a predatory bird...they wouldn't go after a porcupine!

[Maximo]

Very scary! Our neighbor's 9 pound Yorkie was attacked by a hawk in his front yard. The Yorkie was lucky to survive, but needed extensive surgery on his abdomen.

We live in a woodsy little neighborhood with a higher than normal population of hawks, owls, eagles and predatory vultures, the kind that kill their food. Hundreds of acres of woodland were cleared on both sides of us to make way for housing developments. That is how we ended up with the extra birds of prey.

I had Teddy on a leash on our driveway one day when a little chicken hawk buzzed my head while diving for a squirrel. The squirrel squealed as he was being carried off. Nature is rough sometimes.

Sadly, we do not use our yard for the dogs. Too scary for us.

[Lacey s mom]

not sure if this helps but hawks usually have a 2 square mile territory, they use columns of rising air called thermals to circle. if they are soaring you have time to keep your babies safe...they will stop and flutter their wings ( kind of hover) before they dive on prey I have a resident peregrine falcon named "Perry" that has lived on my property for 5 years so I have done a lot of research and observation

[Gew]

That is great information, but it means the hawks we had visit are nearby. If they would approach with two collies and two people with the yorkies, I can't think our yard is safe ever. We have been only letting the yorkies out on a 6 foot lead. Would the flex lead be safe? Would there be time to bring in the dog? Collies are safe, aren't they?

Gew

[Lacey s mom]

Originally Posted by Gew

That is great information, but it means the hawks we had visit are nearby. If they would approach with two collies and two people with the yorkies, I can't think our yard is safe ever. We have been only letting the yorkies out on a 6 foot lead. Would the flex lead be safe? Would there be time to bring in the dog? Collies are safe, aren't they?

Gew

Living on a ranch we respect mother nature but don't fear it! Arm yourself with knowledge and change what you can in your yard. Minimize food sources for raptors like brush, wood piles, bird feeders that foster smaller birds, squirrels, mice, etc. Raptors will cache or save larger prey if they are not sharing it with nesting babies. My yorkies go out supervised all the time, but I am always conscientious if Perry or friends are active.