Goshawk predation on grey squirrels
- Thread starter Cyres
- Start date
Have you ever tried emptying a wood of squirrels ?
I have !
Yes and it's possible
I suppose - depending where you are - and how surrounding land owners go about things it may be -
But its very very (very) difficult - so all im saying is a Gos or two - in my opinion would not empty a wood of greys
Far more likely they were high up in the canopy or simply in their dreys
You can not compare humans doing pest control to a predator feeding itself.
A hungry belly has one worry, a full one has many.
A bird of prey will sit if undisturbed for many hours patiently waiting for an opportunity they have all the time in the world, we don't.
Oh i do
And in fairness i think a few of us do
You cant compare a predator to a human - who uses traps - feeders - thermal - drey poking - the list goes on
Dont forget also - i and many like me want to eradicate squirrels -so focus on them - a Gos only does until another meal comes from a pheasant or magpie etc
Good for you, still doesn't mean a pair of Gos hawks couldn't empty a wood though does it?
You dont really see it though do you ?
I have 2 pairs of Gos in our woods - and squirrels despite our combined efforts
I see just fine thanks, the difference might simply be an abundance of alternative prey in your woods.
The point is its entirely possible that Gos's have had severe impact on greys in the ops woods.
Or seen as we are comparing apples and oranges it could quite easily be a Pine Marten and he just doesn't know it yet.
I didnt mean "you" dont see it
I meant it is very unlikely
Anyway - we can go on and and on
Its not Gos - simple - the end
My last input on the great Gos and squirrel debate.
I was hoping to share the whole study but too big and am not technical enough to shrink it, it's a fascinating read.
Attachments
Cootmeurer
Well-Known Member
I have a resident pair here on my small farm. They wouldn’t touch a squirrel if they saw it!
I’ve watched them on an almost daily basis and they specialize in meadow voles when it’s cold out and frogs from the pond when the weather warms
That said they are efficient but not exceptional predators. I can be an exceptional predator and when I tried I was never able to put a dent in the gray squirrel population. When my daughter rode the bus to school I would sit in the long wooded driveway every afternoon waiting for her bus. To pass time I shot grays, many grays, large numbers. And the next day there were always replacements
I’ve watched them on an almost daily basis and they specialize in meadow voles when it’s cold out and frogs from the pond when the weather warms
That said they are efficient but not exceptional predators. I can be an exceptional predator and when I tried I was never able to put a dent in the gray squirrel population. When my daughter rode the bus to school I would sit in the long wooded driveway every afternoon waiting for her bus. To pass time I shot grays, many grays, large numbers. And the next day there were always replacements
deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
This sounds very unlike goshawk (be that Eurasian or American subspecies) what you describe is not the behaviour of true accipiter species, are you certain you’re ID is 100% correct?
Cootmeurer
Well-Known Member
100% certain on ID, and as surprised as you. When we first moved here I was unhappy to see them all the time - expected issues with my chickens and quail. Also had a regular visiting kestrel
Both have acquitted themselves. The kestrel eats the sparrows that try to get the chicken food (I have had to let him out of the coop on several occasions)
The goshawk pair were first noted sitting on the wood duck nesting box on my pond. I thought they were targeting ducklings. Instead I watched them grab a frog and fly down to a fence post to eat. Then I did a walk and noted nearly every fence post had some regurgitated frog bits on it - so this was an obvious pattern that worked for this pair.
The best part of having them around is they are fiercely territorial and run off the redtails that are always in the area
Siggy
Well-Known Member
Goshawks can be quite selective and individual birds tend to specialise in a favourite prey type. One bird might target jays, another squirrels and another pheasants. Of course it depends on availability but hunting is a learnt behaviour and different prey needs different techniques
If your goshawks are targeting squirrels, lucky for you!
If your goshawks are targeting squirrels, lucky for you!
Similar threads
