I live in Blacktown, Sydney. Coming home this morning I disturbed what I think was a grey goshawk. It flew away off the top of our chicken coop. To say the least the chickens were sitting very still at the bottom of the cage. The local native pigeons were going mental. This sighting does make sense of a pile of fur and bones that I found on the path yesterday.
That sounds great, (maybe not so great for your chickens?). You could hide behind something and wait for him tomorrow, and don't forget to take a photo , so we can all enjoy.
M-L
If that goshawk was grey, dandaparker, I can imagine your chickens were deathly pale!
Hi all, thought I would add to this post.
Got home from dropping home my daughter at school to see a Grey Goshawk fly from my neigbours yard to my TV antenna. Interesting enough my neighbours have recently bought a few chickens and a rabbit.
I am out at Toongabbie in Western Sydney, not far from Blacktown and not far from Prospect Resovoir, where I believe some Grey Goshawks are breeding.
Tried to grab the camera for a shot but unfortunately by the time I got back outside it had disappeared.
I have heard of Grey Goshawks terrorizing chickens in backyards. Not just Grey Goshawk that should be a worry to you, but the Brown Goshawk. They will potentially do as much "damage" as the Grey.
That is very cool. It is good to know that there are birds of prey in our area. Environment can't be too bad if they are around. Does make me stop and think about the use of baits etc when such lovely animals are eating local mice and rats.
Yes Dandaparker, excellent way to look at the big picture! I have seen a lot of cool raptors around the Prospect area, including a grey phase Grey Goshawk (while driving the M4 eastbound at low speed), Little Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Australian Kestrel, Little Falcon (aka Hobby), Brown Goshawk and Collared Sparrowhawk.
A mate of mine lives in Acacia Gardens, which is nearby isn't it?, and he's even had Spotted Harrier and Square-tailed Kite fly around.
Western Sydney is a great place for many birds, including BOPs.
At night, you'd also have Tawny Frogmouths and even Southern Boobooks, and the odd Eastern Barn Owl I reckon. Masked Owl would be a great possibility!
Yes agree, it is great to see. But large parts of this area (same as any other) are getting more and more densily populated. Sadly my neighbours 1 hectare plus property has just had a DA approved for 37 townhouses/villas. So goodbye to some good breeding areas for local blackbirds/finches and wrens just to name a few. A damn shame, even though the property is sparsely vegetated.
I spot a raptor in our property about once every 3 months, I am sure they were no all Grey Goshawk's. I am sure I have a photo here somewhere of another. Normally they are gone by the time I have a camera to hand.
I have spotted an owl of some sort here several times, but never had a good look at it. It spots me first and I normally catch it silently slipping away.
Now you guys are making me want to go back to Sydney! We got lots of BOP including Barn Owls and Black-shouldered Kites out at out old place in Glenorie.
Cheers, Owen.