Maudey the hero - she's no chicken!

[CandJ]

Oh I'm so proud.

I was mooching in the veg plot this morning and Maudey (our Gingernut) was 'helping' as she generally likes to. A big kerfuffle in the Ash Tree above me and out dropped a Sparrowhawk having an almighty scrap with a Woodpigeon.

It landed a few metres away, and i think the Sparrowhawk would've been the inevitable winner, but Maudey paused for a few secs then ran straight at them and chased the hawk off. The pigeon got up and flew off in the opposite direction.

Brilliant. It wouldn't have bothered her if the hawk had a Collared Dove - for some reason Maude and the two Bantams can;t stand Doves and chase them (and Blackbirds) off in a huff. But pigeons are ok, as is the tame pheasant and a friendly robin.

Sort of a question too - should we be worried about the Sparrowhawk going for the bantams, one of whom is grey and pigeonish? How about cats - one is being spotted ever-more-regularly in the garden.

Cheers

[Sue]

Candj
What a very brave chicken! From what I've read on other forums, sparrowhawks can be a problem especially with Bantams.
Never seen one round my allotments, my hens always freeze when they hear magpies though.
best wishes
Sue

[Alice]

Thanks for all that Candj. Sorry I can't answer your questions - somebody will. We have a sparrow hawk goes through here. Ruthless hunter. Whatever it is after doesn't seem to stand much chance. Even if they take refuge in the cyprus hedge the sparrow hawk zips through at speed after them.