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Post by Learner on Jan 26, 2014 13:04:11 GMT
Has anyone considered or put in place a double layer of wire mesh on their outside flight?I ask because: This morning the budgies were a little slow to flit out into the flight. 30 minutes later, when I looked through the bedroom window, I spotted a flipping great beautiful something or other with speckled brown and white feathers and a huge hooked beak. It was doing its best to take a very close interest in my Fluffy Grey hen budgie who was on the aviary floor having a paddle! Her mates were going bananas. I banged on the window and the large-shouldn't-be-there predator flapped / sprang slightly further along the edge of the aviary. Fortunately the base of the flight rests on 30cm concrete blocks and Fluffy Grey wasn't moving a feather. I belted out to discover the predator had gone. No serious damage done apart from some very spooked budgies all of which are now safely shut in the inside flight. Fluffy Grey had to be lifted up and in as her feathers were so damp she couldn't fly. My heart rate is, at last, back to normal... just. This is now the third "visit" I've witnessed by this or a similar raptor. I think it's a sparrow hawk but now in it's adult plumage. Lovely bird but not around my aviary!!
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Post by phoebe on Jan 26, 2014 14:14:02 GMT
I have an indoor room but just wanted to sympathize with you. That must have been a very scary moment. It's a good thing your birds have you and you were looking out for them.
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Post by Hezz on Jan 27, 2014 0:41:22 GMT
From what I can gather most people with aviaries double mesh for this very reason, Learner. Especially when you have fledgling in the flight area who may not be smart enough or quick enough to move away from the sides when there is a hawk or whatever around. Even our butcher birds will take young birds through the wire - it is quite common. Glad little Mrs Fluffy enjoyed her bath, even if it was at the expense of your heart palpitations.
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Post by Learner on Jan 28, 2014 0:12:05 GMT
That's decided then.... twin wall wire mesh needed.... although I think I'll be the only local with an outside flight and two layers of wire mesh.. so I guess, despite having the flight close to the bungalow in a built up area, it may well be the closeness of a small wood in the neighbour's garden that gives the sparrow hawk ideas....there's lots of small wild birds about.
Next question is (and I really do need advice with this please as I know little about raptors / sparrow hawks): Would 1" square (2.5cm 2) mesh be sufficient or must I use 1/2" x 1" (1.25cm x 2.5cm) the same as I have for the inner mesh ? There will be about 2" (5cm) gap between the two layers.
I wasn't keen to have a second layer of wire mesh as I think it may make it much harder to see the budgies clearly from outside of the flight but, as safety comes first, I think I have little choice.
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Post by Hezz on Jan 28, 2014 1:17:48 GMT
I would think that with a 2 inch gap, that the 1" square mesh would be fine, but I am only guessing, Learner. I'll leave this for those with aviaries to help you with. It probably will make it harder to see the birds, but I guess a compromise must be made.
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Post by Learner on Jan 29, 2014 12:57:30 GMT
My son thinks a 1"x1" mesh should do the job too but, having seen the beak on our visiting sparrow-hawk, I'm not completely convinced that the little s** beak wouldn't be able to reach through and nab a budgie with it. My lot are as daft as brushes... they simply sit there and chirp!
Either way, as soon as I can, I plan to double mesh with either inch square or 1/2" x 1". Until then they are staying safely inside.
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Post by milliej on Jan 29, 2014 15:15:37 GMT
Birds of prey can be very quick, one (I think a Merlin) was found hiding under our bush last year yomping on a sparrow, cheek of it! We have so many sparrows come to feed but also get those nasty (well I think they're nasty) rooks when I put fat balls out......funny isn't it...always feel for the smaller birds although they all need feeding. Mind, the sparrows must feel safe in our little garden and don't get jumpy they just aren't quick enough sometimes for the birds of prey.
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Post by Rachael Kellett on Jan 29, 2014 16:16:50 GMT
Absolutely! Double netting is one of the most important things in an outdoor flight. Mine has a layer of netting then the wooden framework then another layer of netting. It will prevent cats and especially birds of prey from reaching through the netting. I had a scary day a while back like you just had. I looked out of the window upstairs and saw a large bird sat on top of my shed roof. As I was watching it flew backwards off the roof, striking with its legs at the netting! I shot downstairs, grabbed a jug of water, and ran down the garden. It flew off but I managed to hit it with the water. I went into the aviary to check on them and they were all fine, just a little shaken. But as I stood there in the shed I heard a massive crash, opened the door into the flight and the bird, a young sparrow hawk, was throwing itself at the netting! I ran out and chased it all the way down the garden lol! I can laugh at myself now but at the time I was so angry and scared for the budgies! Without the double netting it could have been a terrible ending.
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Post by milliej on Jan 29, 2014 16:35:39 GMT
Absolutely! Double netting is one of the most important things in an outdoor flight. Mine has a layer of netting then the wooden framework then another layer of netting. It will prevent cats and especially birds of prey from reaching through the netting. I had a scary day a while back like you just had. I looked out of the window upstairs and saw a large bird sat on top of my shed roof. As I was watching it flew backwards off the roof, striking with its legs at the netting! I shot downstairs, grabbed a jug of water, and ran down the garden. It flew off but I managed to hit it with the water. I went into the aviary to check on them and they were all fine, just a little shaken. But as I stood there in the shed I heard a massive crash, opened the door into the flight and the bird, a young sparrow hawk, was throwing itself at the netting! I ran out and chased it all the way down the garden lol! I can laugh at myself now but at the time I was so angry and scared for the budgies! Without the double netting it could have been a terrible ending. I have this picture in my head of a distraught aviary keeper and a large jug of water I'm not overlooked at the back of the house thankfully because I'm frequently to be seen at the French windows flapping my arms about when big birds try to enter sparrow space. That would be a good name for our property actually but I think the neighbours might think I'm getting a bit above my station lol
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Post by Learner on Jan 29, 2014 23:51:20 GMT
Please, rachel Kellett, could you tell me what size mesh you would suggest to keep those beautifully, beastly blinking big birds of prey at bay?
I still haven't decided which to send off for. The flight roof is covered with corrugated plastic so that's taken care of.
I've decided to keep my lot in until the double mesh is in place so won't need running-shoes and jug of water but it's well worth considering.
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Post by Hezz on Jan 30, 2014 1:06:47 GMT
A hose would be easier than a jug of water, Learner.
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Post by Learner on Jan 31, 2014 9:42:49 GMT
A hose would be easier than a jug of water, Learner. Stirrup pump at the ready! I need one of those huge strap-on-your-back water tanks so I’m prepared.
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Post by Rachael Kellett on Jan 31, 2014 9:49:32 GMT
Please, rachel Kellett, could you tell me what size mesh you would suggest to keep those beautifully, beastly blinking big birds of prey at bay?
I still haven't decided which to send off for. The flight roof is covered with corrugated plastic so that's taken care of.
I've decided to keep my lot in until the double mesh is in place so won't need running-shoes and jug of water but it's well worth considering. My aviary has half inch by one inch for both layers
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Post by Learner on Jan 31, 2014 9:52:29 GMT
Please, rachel Kellett, could you tell me what size mesh you would suggest to keep those beautifully, beastly blinking big birds of prey at bay?
I still haven't decided which to send off for. The flight roof is covered with corrugated plastic so that's taken care of.
I've decided to keep my lot in until the double mesh is in place so won't need running-shoes and jug of water but it's well worth considering. My aviary has half inch by one inch for both layers Thanks Rachel - that's decided then.
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Post by Learner on Feb 4, 2014 22:19:07 GMT
A day without rain so front and end of flight now sports double mesh... that just leaves the fiddly bit to do along the back next to the safety door. I also managed to do a bit of additional damp proofing at floor level. Haven't we had an awful lot of rain (and wind!).
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