Waterloo Station Hawk

[Master29]

where did you get that nonsense idea from?

I have no recollection and why are you dragging up old posts.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It’s not just a Waterloo Hawk - the same is done at Paddington, Liverpool Street and no doubt other stations. However, AIUI the times are randomised so tha tthe pigeons don’t get to accustomed to a certain time of day, and it is preferred to do it at quiet times as apparently passengers don’t like seeing pigeons torn to shreds whilst getting their morning latte.

Isn't it the same hawk and handler working various locations as and when required?

 

[hawk1911]

Isn't it the same hawk and handler working various locations as and when required?

I was at Reading station a few years ago, when the hawk was on patrol, and I was told that it was one that was used at other stations.

 

[randyrippley]

I have no recollection and why are you dragging up old posts.

someone else brought the thread back to life, I read it and queried a piece of absolute nonsense, doesn't matter how old it is, false information is false

 

[Master29]

someone else brought the thread back to life, I read it and queried a piece of absolute nonsense, doesn't matter how old it is, false information is false

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20161003-why-cities-are-unleashing-birds-of-prey-into-their-skies.

Since you ask...... Now who`s talking nonsense.

 

[hawk1911]

The irony now is that peregrines were introduced into cities precisely for this purpose but are considered a pest by people who run bird of prey centres.

where did you get that nonsense idea from?

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20161003-why-cities-are-unleashing-birds-of-prey-into-their-skies.

Since you ask...... Now who`s talking nonsense.

I think there's confusion here between wild Peregrine Falcons, which have naturally recolonised towns and cities, and the use of falconers to fly captive bred hawks and falcons at various locations, including railway stations, to help control pigeons/doves.

I'm not sure that anyone running bird of prey centres would regard our wild Peregrine Falcons as pests, but those within the racing pigeon fraternity may well do so.

 

[Master29]

I think there's confusion here between wild Peregrine Falcons, which have naturally recolonised towns and cities, and the use of falconers to fly captive bred hawks and falcons at various locations, including railway stations, to help control pigeons/doves.

I'm not sure that anyone running bird of prey centres would regard our wild Peregrine Falcons as pests, but those within the racing pigeon fraternity may well do so.

A gentleman who runs a bird of prey centre I have been to a few times tells me exactly this, that wild peregrines are a nuisance to his shows and the other birds of prey he keeps. Not to the point of shooting them of course.
As to your first point. It may very well have been cause and effect. The introduction of some birds of prey for the reasons of control you mention might possibly have colonized the cities as a result of that as much as natural colonization. Speculation of course.

 

[hawk1911]

A gentleman who runs a bird of prey centre I have been to a few times tells me exactly this, that wild peregrines are a nuisance to his shows and the other birds of prey he keeps. Not to the point of shooting them of course.
As to your first point. It may very well have been cause and effect. The introduction of some birds of prey for the reasons of control you mention might possibly have colonized the cities as a result of that as much as natural colonization. Speculation of course.

As an Ornithologist. I can assure you that the presence of Peregrines in our towns and cities is as a result of natural colonisation.

Regarding bird of prey centres, yes there can sometimes be an interaction between wild and captive birds; my local bird of prey centre reports that sometimes the local Buzzards, Red Kites etc. can sometimes disturb their own birds. However, I have never come across any reputable bird of prey centre refer to wild birds of prey as a nuisance.

Returning to railway stations, it seems that the Harris Hawk, a non-native species, is the usual bird of prey of choice.

 

[Mogster]

Harris’s are useful as by nature they are social raptors. In the wild, S America I think, they live and hunt in groups similar to wolves. In a falconry settings they will tolerate others and several can be flown together without problems.

Went on a falconry day with the family a few years back. The guy who ran the centre also did pest control with several Harris’s. He suggested the sight of the raptor flying around was more effective in removing pigeons than shooting individual birds. The Harris didn’t necessarily catch that many but just the sight of one would make the pigeons clear off for a few days.

 

[hwl]

They definitely need the hawks in at Waterloo more as a pigeon got a free ride to Vauxhall last week before being escorted off by an off duty driver.

 

[Master29]

As an Ornithologist. I can assure you that the presence of Peregrines in our towns and cities is as a result of natural colonisation.

Indeed. That was only my speculation however.

 

[Mikey C]

This time of year, you'd hope the pigeons would clear off from Waterloo to The Oval!

 

[hwl]

This time of year, you'd hope the pigeons would clear off from Waterloo to The Oval!

The builders moved into the Oval 2 days after the end of season and not much food to be had there on the off season.

 

[Bald Rick]

They definitely need the hawks in at Waterloo more as a pigeon got a free ride to Vauxhall last week before being escorted off by an off duty driver.

I’ve seen that done between Moorgate and Liverpool St!

 

[edwin_m]

They definitely need the hawks in at Waterloo more as a pigeon got a free ride to Vauxhall last week before being escorted off by an off duty driver.

I’ve seen that done between Moorgate and Liverpool St!

And there was I thinking the passenger pigeon was extinct.

 

[Bald Rick]

And there was I thinking the passenger pigeon was extinct.

Your coat sir.

 

[edwin_m]

Your coat sir.

I'm not wearing that - a pigeon's splatted it.

 

[hwl]

Fare evading pigeon

 

[Mikey C]

The builders moved into the Oval 2 days after the end of season and not much food to be had there on the off season.

They do like the grass seed though (when not scoffing on chips)