11/05/24
July 03, 2007
Bird expert who wings in for Wimbledon: As tennis-lovers eat their strawberries they may be unaware of a dark brown presence swooping overhead - Mr Davis' hawk scaring away pigeons from the grounds.
This is the kind of post that makes this blog worthwhile.
posted by sickleguy at 09:09 PM on July 03, 2007
Pigeons even managed to disrupt the men's doubles final back in 1968, and are not frightened by officials and players... It's a wonder the tournament has struggled on through the hard, pigeon-plagued times - I think we all remember the dark days of the 1968 men's doubles final. John Newcombe and Tony Roche beat Ken Rosewall and Fred Stolle 6-3, 6-8, 14-12, 6-3. I'd be willing to be the pigeon pitch invasion took place in the third set. It's a nice story, but I'd suggest the hawk hasn't been entirely successful.
posted by JJ at 04:08 AM on July 04, 2007
I love that they use a Hawk to keep pigeons away from the Millennium Doom, when the place itself has been keeping people away for years. And nice picture, JJ. Although that's one speedy pigeon.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 04:58 AM on July 04, 2007
If we could just get our hands on it, we could win a million dollars.
posted by JJ at 06:31 AM on July 04, 2007
Which one of us is Muttley?
posted by Mr Bismarck at 06:38 AM on July 04, 2007
It's an interesting choice of birds for the purpose. The Harris's Hawk is a Buteo, that would rather feed on small mammals. Accipiters, such as the Sharp-Shinned Hawk or Cooper's Hawk feed on birds. Also, the year-round range of the Harris's Hawk is limited to south Texas, Mexico, and the coastal area of the Gulf of Mexico. (Source: National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America) I wonder where Mr. Davis acquired his hawk.
posted by Howard_T at 12:05 PM on July 04, 2007
"Welcome to the Hawk Depot, can I help you pick out a predatory bird today?"
posted by The_Black_Hand at 01:04 PM on July 04, 2007
I "flew" a Harris Hawk at a hotel in Scotland. I understand there are wild pairs breeding in the UK now too.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 02:18 PM on July 04, 2007
Great post. I love seeing someone make a living at their hobby. I wonder if a poster of Randy Johnson would deter pigeons.