Red Kites

[Cabbage 2]

Right I've watched hours of films, I've been on a couple of courses, I've been contemplating the purchase of a hawk now for over a year and come to the firm conclusion that I have the time and ability to own a Hawk!!

 

I've even Decided on a male Harris Hawk; as I have mainly rabbits in our field with the very occasional Pheasant and I can hunt over my Springdore and jack rat.

 

So why have I not purchased said Hawk??? Kites.

 

My available flying land is inundated with Red Kites and I'm not sure if they are going to cause me any issues?

 

I know they are scavenger and an opportunist and I know why there numbers dropped, If I pop an older rabbit I'll leave it in the field for them as they are great to watch in flight; however your get 8 Kites happily fighting in the air with a bunch of magpies enjoying a free meal on the ground (This would obviously stop when I get my own Hawk!).

 

So even without me inviting them down for a free lunch we have a lot around are they going to cause me any major issues???

 

 

 

[arcticgun 4,548]

I doubt they would attack your hawk, mind Ive had my Harris stooped on regular basis by a kestrel, so who knows, you can only go ahead and try Id wager theresd someone whom fly something in your area, Ive flown mine round where buzzards are and had no issues, also flown em where wild pergrines fly they came they looked they went

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

Ive only ever been bothered by kestrels. The same female chased my male for a while before leaving. I wouldnt let kites stop you from flying a hawk

[arcticgun 4,548]

them kessys must be the agro boys of the bird world, funny watching em stop a harris lol had one stoop my gyr saker last year, he was amused for all of five seconds them let it drop again dodged iot then tail chased the twat for miles

[Cabbage 2]

Thanks for the response, they're a big bird but very slight so one on one Hawk hands down, but I want a young bird to put my mark on and didn't want him bullied in his early days...I don't think they will as I said they have enough problems dealing with each other.

 

Well that was my last obstacle so I guess it's just finding the right bird.

 

Cheers

[Lee C 55]

Never had on stoop the bird but have had to hide from they a couple of time. They come over for a look and follow on for ages. I distracts my bird a little as he has one eye on what's constantly about us. So I just spend five mins sitting it out until the kite has passed. Sometime it comes back and we play the same game. There are loads a the land fills around this area but never heard of then being a problem to birds.

Good luck

ATB

Lee

[j j m 6,533]

i think you will be safe bud

[Cabbage 2]

Cheers guys started look for a bird last night....I'm in no rush but if you hear of anything please let me know prefer to buy from someone off recommendation rather than a knockem out breeder!!!

[arcticgun 4,548]

theres plenty good breeders about fella , best of luck in your search, go and see a few before commiting, you will visit someone and you will just click with them and end up buying from them, personally Id want something bred from a hunting pair, not a pair sat in mews , ones that been out for several seasons daily, breeder should be able to show you plenty of pics etc of the parents and other offspring they should also insist that you speak to other happy parties whom have hjad birds from them, good luck pal,

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

Or maybe you are right to worry

 

Edited April 27, 2014 by youcanthide...BANG