Help with hawks
 

Hawks have appeared the summer. It seems that one has nested high in a tree at the fenceline in the rear of the yard. The area is about 300 feet across the back with a 100 foot depth. The three yorkies are never out alone, but they really can't enjoy their yard with these birds so nearby. We bought a horn, a bosn's whistle, and a sonic flashlight. We carry them but have never used them or really been able to test their effectiveness. Letting them run free is too dangerous because there is no way to protect them. They respond to the command "to the house" immediately, but obvious have long distances to get there. I sure can't run as fast as a hawk can fly. In fact, I can hardly run at all. My collies watch the three yorkies, but they, too, are untested in chasing a hawk.

Do these birds ever go away? Do they migrate? How can the dogs enjoy their yard and get exercise when we keep them on leads? We spent a fortune (to us) for a safe fence, and now the yorkies can't enjoy the yard.

Any help is truly appreciated.

Thanks,
Gew

Here is some information about hawks: Controlling bird damage from hawks and owls

It's illegal to kill them, but it's not illegal to scare them off. If it were me, I'd contact a local pest control company and ask them for advice as well.

I just had some experience with a falcon. I live in a very heavily wooded area. I have a lot of very tall (150 feet high) oak trees that form a canopy that covers my entire yard making it impossible for a prey bird to swoop, snatch and carry off my boy. This spring 3 neighbors to my right moved, new owners took down the existing 6 foot high stockade fences. I have a 4 foot high wire fence, this I choose to not block my view of the wooded area that's behind my house. Several weeks ago I was on my deck when a falcon came from the right side were there was once those fences, it was flying 5 feet off the ground, any higher it would hit the oak tree branches, it now has a straight line since the fences are down. I was shocked when I saw this bird and in a panic because my boy runs that yard everyday, of course I am always outside with him, you know the mischief these lil guys will get into, so he is never outside unsupervised. Now I am flipping out, how can I protect him. Although my kid weighs 12 pounds, a prey bird may still grab him, realize the dog is to heavy and may release him, but, the damage those talons could cause , could kill him. I was wracking my brains thinking of a way to put netting up to cover the yard, for several weeks I had him on a leash always with eyes glued to the sky for this bird. Cody was not happy on the leash, he had his hunting areas that he couldn't stalk on leash. Then my brain kicked in lol. I had not yet set up my yard with my free standing umbrellas, I have 3 that I put in different areas of the yard where Cody hunts so I can be comfortable baby sitting him lol. I have several patio table umbrellas also. So I reorganized the 3 free standing umbrellas and 2 patio tables with umbrellas and put them in the one open area where this bird flew straight through, now the bird would have to fly higher to use this path, it cannot because of the oak tree branches. My boy got his freedom back and is happy again and I get the pleasure of watching a happy boy hunting. If you have the space to set out umbrellas this may work for you. I LOVE all diff. color umbrellas, I put several palm plants, many Boston ferns and tiki torches about the yard, I feel like I am in the Bahamas only things missing is the pool and the bar boy lol. Hope you find a solution and your fur kids can roam safely about their yard.

Thanks. I read the article. It was very informative. I had read lots and called the raptor group here. She was aware of the increase in the number of red tailed hawks in my area. We also have an owl who lives near the river. She suggested short leads for each dog. Yes, that is safest, but I feel so badly having fenced in an acre for them to enjoy, to limit them to six feet.

Our yard is clear so a great visual field. Behind us are acres of green space which is protected. We thought of a covered area, but how? Pergola?

We will get a few scarecrows. I can't use a shotgun in this area. We carry the horn and/or whistle. I just hoped someone had a "magic" cure.

Again thanks.

Gew

We have umbrellas, but only two. The article suggested scarecrows, so I can get a few, but the last time the hawk swooped in two of us were with five feet. We were on a deck. I am just so worried. It's very hard to give them freedom, but at six, seven and eight pounds, I guess I have no choice.

Thanks. Wish my hawk could meet your falcon.

Gew

Wildlife vs Civilization
 

Our yard is also a hawk range. We can hear them overhead and see them circling. Luckily, the surrounding unsettled hills have snakes, rabbits and other food for them but we still know that our barely 5 lb little yorkie would be a tasty meal. We also have owls and are in a mule deer range (a mini dachshund we had was stomped by a deer!).


We have tried scarecrows to no avail. We have tried whirly-gigs to no avail. But the one thing that seems to have worked, maybe a little bit, is to invite competing bird species. We have large stellar jays (they LOVE to eat giant sunflower seeds right off the plant). And a variety of robins, brewers crows, large crows, and song birds inhabit our acre. Still occasionally we will find a hawk taking up a look out in a nearby tree.


We also have a few trees that provide cover in the areas our little girl likes to explore.


We are still careful not to fool ourselves into thinking any of this is foolproof lest we become the fools. We are always out and listening and watching.

Bird netting is another possibility. You would string the netting up on poles to cover the area where your dog would be able to run free. I will link to some products below:

https://www.predatorpeestore.com/hawk-stopper.html

Bird Netting & Aviary Netting | Sports Net Safety Nets & Nylon Netting | Bird Control Products - 3T Products

https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B001W2AG2M

Here's a link showing how to install it and what it looks like after it's installed:

https://www.predatorpeestore.com/set...wkstopper.html

Just wanted to say...Wow, I can almost picture it. It sounds so nice - like you're always on vacation! :D

'Lucky' for me, I have no yard since I live in a condo. So it's always leash walking for us. :rolleyes:

posted a thread about this awhile back, this might be something to consider, it's an armored harness. Sounds a bit much but when you have hawks, owls and even coyotes common in your area, these aren't such a bad idea.
Raptor Shield, protect your dog from birds of prey, Hawk, Owl, attacks