Hawk!

[DuckDuckJuice]

Back again! When it rains, it pours, apparently. We just witnessed a big hawk swoop down through the yard and try to grab one of the ducks. The hawk has a nest in a tree in the yard behind us and we’ve been aware of it for a while. We’ve never been overly concerned because there was no clear flight path into our yard, as we have a massive 200yo maple tree that provides cover to the entire area. Unfortunately, as of two days ago, said maple tree has no more leaves and the hawk has noticed. Thankfully no one was injured, but the ducks are very freaked out. They’ve been hiding in the garage since it happened. Fine by me, since they’re safer in there. I’m just concerned about the next several months. They obviously can’t be in the garage 24/7, but we don’t have any way to provide cover outside without building a new structure/run. I’m happy to do that, but it would require a zoning permit that can take several months to acquire. When we wanted to make changes to our fence last year, the zoning office took almost six months to issue a permit for it. Everyone on here has been so incredibly helpful with all of our other issues, I’m hoping someone as an idea on what we can do in the meantime. All advice is welcome! Thanks!

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Couldn't you get a few big picnic tables out there? You could paint them and decorate them cute and such! That wouldn't require a permit? And would be very unique and creative!!

 

[Peas4Ducks]

Picnic tables are a great idea! This would be expensive, but you could also buy a few mature shrubs—we have a butterfly bush and some holly bushes that our ducks spend a lot of time under.

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Picnic tables are a great idea! This would be expensive, but you could also buy a few mature shrubs—we have a butterfly bush and some holly bushes that our ducks spend a lot of time under.

Great idea! Maybe find some old picnic tables on craigslist?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Now that the leaves are off all the trees in the birds upper property I close the gate and they have to stay down closer to the house. I've had a hawk take a bantam hen even down here close to the house but up top they have a much better chance of getting one of my flock. Having places they can get under can def help.

 

[Peas4Ducks]

Great idea! Maybe find some old picnic tables on craigslist?

Sorry, I didn’t phrase that sentence clearly—I meant buying mature bushes would be expensive I wasn’t even thinking about the cost of picnic tables. Craigslist is a good suggestion, or facebook marketplace. Some areas also have local ‘buy nothing’ groups on facebook as well.
Point is, you don’t have to build something you would need a permit for—just creatively put in anything your ducks could shelter under.

 

[DuckDuckJuice]

Couldn't you get a few big picnic tables out there? You could paint them and decorate them cute and such! That wouldn't require a permit? And would be very unique and creative!!

Good idea! We actually already have a children’s picnic table in the garage. I’ll move it back out to the yard.

 

[DuckDuckJuice]

Sorry, I didn’t phrase that sentence clearly—I meant buying mature bushes would be expensive I wasn’t even thinking about the cost of picnic tables. Craigslist is a good suggestion, or facebook marketplace. Some areas also have local ‘buy nothing’ groups on facebook as well.
Point is, you don’t have to build something you would need a permit for—just creatively put in anything your ducks could shelter under.

The temperature here is in the high 40’s, low 50’s right now. I worry that’s too cold to plant anything? I have a black thumb when it comes to plants, so I admittedly don’t know much. Are there plants that can be put in the ground in the fall? We already plan on putting in a bunch of juniper bushes in the spring, since they’d be evergreen and offer protection year-round.

 

[Peas4Ducks]

The temperature here is in the high 40’s, low 50’s right now. I worry that’s too cold to plant anything? I have a black thumb when it comes to plants, so I admittedly don’t know much. Are there plants that can be put in the ground in the fall? We already plan on putting in a bunch of juniper bushes in the spring, since they’d be evergreen and offer protection year-round.

Fall is actually a great time to plant most bushes! Especially if it’s still in the 40s and 50s where you are. Keep in mind that the soil stays warm long after the air starts to cool down. I think you’d be safe to go ahead and put in some juniper bushes. I also can’t recommend spirea enough—it’s hardy in almost every zone, native to the entire northern hemisphere, fast-growing & pollinator friendly.

 

[DuckDuckJuice]

Fall is actually a great time to plant most bushes! Especially if it’s still in the 40s and 50s where you are. Keep in mind that the soil stays warm long after the air starts to cool down. I think you’d be safe to go ahead and put in some juniper bushes. I also can’t recommend spirea enough—it’s hardy in almost every zone, native to the entire northern hemisphere, fast-growing & pollinator friendly.

I looked up spirea and I definitely anticipate some in our near future. I’ve seen them plenty of times and always liked them, but never knew the name. Thank you so much for the suggestion!