Hello all,
I am curious if anyone can help me! I love watching wild birds. Sparrows and mourning doves are my main visitors and I've been providing them with some food. My issue is the Cooper Hawk! Yes, I understand that it is a circle of life, but I still want to try the best I can to protect them from the hawk.
Currently, I am living in a 4-floor townhouse with a rooftop, and I feed them on the rooftop. Initially, I had a pole/shepherd hook where I hung the feeder, and usually sparrows went to the feeder, and the doves went to the ground for the food. One day, the hawk got the sparrow from the hanging feeder, so after some research, I put the feeder down.
Instead, I put the food tray under the outdoor plant table which one side was against the wall and the other three sides were surrounded by empty, light, and actual plant pots, so there were some gaps that doves and sparrows could get in, but the hawk had trouble getting in. Doves tend to be more wary about getting in because it also limits the view when they go in, but they seem to also understand where the food is. Unfortunately, today, the hawk went through one of the gap where light pots is located and got the sparrow. I think because plant pots block the view, some sparrows did not realize the hawk was there (It was literally 3 ft away, watching) until it was too late.
Even before today, I saw the hawk various times and tried to get the bird. It's inevitable that the hawk knows birds are visiting my place and I cannot completely remove the feeder. I know a lot of mourning doves also visit my place, so I am always worried about it too.
I have been thinking of leaving the food tray under the outdoor plant table, but wrapping it with chicken wire and making a small hole (3"x4"), one or two for each side that sparrows and doves can get in. After I made it, I saw doves being wary about it, but some went in. But I am not sure if this is a good idea or not. I am not sure if the hawk can get in with this size and also have a limited way to get in and out, not sure if this is a bad idea? However, with chicken wire, they can see much better than plant pots. Alternatively, I thought about an aviary with a small hole that doves can go, but also I am not sure if the hole size would work out.
Anyway, I am happy to hear other suggestions too! Can someone help me with this?
Thank you so much!!
I am curious if anyone can help me! I love watching wild birds. Sparrows and mourning doves are my main visitors and I've been providing them with some food. My issue is the Cooper Hawk! Yes, I understand that it is a circle of life, but I still want to try the best I can to protect them from the hawk.
Currently, I am living in a 4-floor townhouse with a rooftop, and I feed them on the rooftop. Initially, I had a pole/shepherd hook where I hung the feeder, and usually sparrows went to the feeder, and the doves went to the ground for the food. One day, the hawk got the sparrow from the hanging feeder, so after some research, I put the feeder down.
Instead, I put the food tray under the outdoor plant table which one side was against the wall and the other three sides were surrounded by empty, light, and actual plant pots, so there were some gaps that doves and sparrows could get in, but the hawk had trouble getting in. Doves tend to be more wary about getting in because it also limits the view when they go in, but they seem to also understand where the food is. Unfortunately, today, the hawk went through one of the gap where light pots is located and got the sparrow. I think because plant pots block the view, some sparrows did not realize the hawk was there (It was literally 3 ft away, watching) until it was too late.
Even before today, I saw the hawk various times and tried to get the bird. It's inevitable that the hawk knows birds are visiting my place and I cannot completely remove the feeder. I know a lot of mourning doves also visit my place, so I am always worried about it too.
I have been thinking of leaving the food tray under the outdoor plant table, but wrapping it with chicken wire and making a small hole (3"x4"), one or two for each side that sparrows and doves can get in. After I made it, I saw doves being wary about it, but some went in. But I am not sure if this is a good idea or not. I am not sure if the hawk can get in with this size and also have a limited way to get in and out, not sure if this is a bad idea? However, with chicken wire, they can see much better than plant pots. Alternatively, I thought about an aviary with a small hole that doves can go, but also I am not sure if the hole size would work out.
Anyway, I am happy to hear other suggestions too! Can someone help me with this?
Thank you so much!!
