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Hawk!

Much to my horror, yesterday afternoon a Cooper's hawk snatched a red-winged blackbird right from the feeding area in my backyard!

Of course it's impossible to keep all hawks away, but I'm hoping this old beach umbrella and orange safety tape will at least deter them. According to some articles, hawks hate orange - I hope that's true! And I've ordered some nets to hang around the feeders as well. The smaller birds stayed away for about 30 minutes after the hawk attack - the fluttering orange tape doesn't keep them away at all.

I also added an owl statue near the back door - his head moves when the wind blows, so perhaps he will at least cause the hawks to hesitate.

In the past hawks have also taken chickens - but the chicken yard is now entirely covered by nets, orange and silver tape, and even some old Christmas tinsel garland.  . . . not beautiful, but safer!


 

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