Blazingsaddles
Well-Known Member
The increase of buzzards & sparrow hawks in my area has definitely had an effect on the songbird population - I’ve witnessed them taking baby birds. Never seen a crow or rook do that.
I know someone who shoots them and hangs up their bodies in order to discourage others from coming around. That sounds very unpleasant now I've typed it out I don't know if it even works.
A neighbour of mine uses a Larsen trap. This does work but is cruel imo
Apparently, there is some truth in this. Crows (and magpies) hold 'funerals' to mourn for the dead. They gather near the dead bird and caw loudly and will then avoid the area until they are reassured it is safe.
Apparently, there is some truth in this. Crows (and magpies) hold 'funerals' to mourn for the dead. They gather near the dead bird and caw loudly and will then avoid the area until they are reassured it is safe.
all the corvids do look a bit different, heads and beaks are the most telling (for me anyway)
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/crow-family/
Without being pedantic although I probably am are they crows or rooks I thought crows were solitary and rooks communal. Old saying "a crow in a crowd is a rook and a rook on its own is a crow" We have rooks they are great for clearing the field of the tons of moulted hair from the ponies even helping with the grooming in the spring by sitting on their backs helping themselves They do spread the poo a little but not much Buzzards are carrion eaters so would love them to take the rabbits but its not in their nature to do so
I've only ever seen Jays in urban settings.Will have to take this to the field and check. Definitely some jackdaws as a few have the grey area. And plenty of magpies which I didn’t realise were related. But only an occasional jay - so pretty.
I've only ever seen Jays in urban settings.
In wilts the biggest culprit of spreading was the dung beetles I think, don't get them in somerset field at least!
Bah, I feel bad for them nowApparently, there is some truth in this. Crows (and magpies) hold 'funerals' to mourn for the dead. They gather near the dead bird and caw loudly and will then avoid the area until they are reassured it is safe.
On this description I think we may have rooks.
Hope OP finds a way to sort her crow problem.
yeh. thank goodness.I think that's a no then TH.
According to a neighbour the big crows are ravens... not sure how you tell the difference.
🤣🤣Now you've set me off!Every time I see this thread I miss read the title as 'discouraging cows'.
I know it is about birds spreading horse poo, but the image of Daisy the Jersey or Ermintrude the Holstein saying 'oh no, I wouldn't do that if I were you... it'll end badly' etc... just keeps popping into my head.
I *might* be going a tad insane. Sorry.
🤣🤣Now you've set me off!
Try keeping the troughs filled up. They may not be able to get out if the water level is too low.I am quite fond of the crows in our fields. However, I have found a few dead (drowned) in our water troughs recently which is sad. No idea why this is suddenly happening but I would like to stop it happening, so quite interested in how to deter them from the troughs.
Don't! The bastards are quite happy to peck the eyeballs and tongue out of any sheep that gets stuck on her back or feels poorly enough to lie down for a while 🤬 They also started pecking holes in all our haylage bales so OH shot one and left it on top of the bale stack. Problem stopped just like that but no "funeral", they just cleared off somewhere else.Bah, I feel bad for them now
You'd think they'd at least wait until the sheep dieDon't! The bastards are quite happy to peck the eyeballs and tongue out of any sheep that gets stuck on her back or feels poorly enough to lie down for a while 🤬 They also started pecking holes in all our haylage bales so OH shot one and left it on top of the bale stack. Problem stopped just like that but no "funeral", they just cleared off somewhere else.
Oh that's not the half of it! I'd tell you what they do to newborn lambs but you'd see your breakfast again.... and God help anything with an open wound, they just start eating them alive 😩You'd think they'd at least wait until the sheep die
Oh that's not the half of it! I'd tell you what they do to newborn lambs but you'd see your breakfast again.... and God help anything with an open wound, they just start eating them alive 😩