Kite attack (birds not lined)

[Gary Mondry]

I just got run off of our local flying field (Wichita, KS) by a pair of Mississippi Kites who aggressively dove on me from the time I arrived.  I often fly alone and this morning was shaping up to be a good opportunity to get in some long awaited practice flying with light winds and no other commitments.  One started diving on me as I carried my gear to the circle.  I managed to get my stooge set up and lines out without too much trouble, and hoped that the sound of the unmuffled Veco 19 on my Super Clown would keep them away, which it did until I landed.  Then they started coming after me in pairs.  They would perch and watch me from a lone taller tree on the field (maybe a nest there) and would leave their perch to dive on me whenever I stood up and moved around. Not being able to keep an eye on two at once and fearing that the distraction when flying could cost me an airplane, I decided to roll up the lines and go home.  They dove on me with wings folded and extended their talons at about 10 yards out.  I could feel the "whoosh" when they went by.  Now I know how the rodents must feel.

This doesn't bode well for my late summer contest prep, and I need all I can get.  Anybody else have this happen and, if so, how do you cope?  This is our only flying field and is in a city park, so any attempt to displace them would, no doubt, be frowned upon.  If it's chicks, I wonder how long before they leave the nest, and if they will be migrating back south soon.  From what I've been able to read, Kansas is in their breeding range, so they won't be here forever.  Any similar experiences to report?

Gary

   

[john e. holliday]

I remember seeing the kites when I was at Wichita last year.   Guess there were too many of us to attack back then.   But, the only time I had trouble with birds was with Night Hawks  attacking my planes while flying.   One got a little close once and I seen some feathers fly and it made a bee line to the trees.   Not going to mention the time a little bird got in the way of my mouse racer during a race.   At the time I did know I hit something and the plane slowed to about half speed.  Wings of the little bird were wrapped around the mouse racer.

[John Desrosiers]

Your lucky they wernt carring bombs.

[Randy Cuberly]

I remember seeing the kites when I was at Wichita last year.   Guess there were too many of us to attack back then.   But, the only time I had trouble with birds was with Night Hawks  attacking my planes while flying.   One got a little close once and I seen some feathers fly and it made a bee line to the trees.   Not going to mention the time a little bird got in the way of my mouse racer during a race.   At the time I did know I hit something and the plane slowed to about half speed.  Wings of the little bird were wrapped around the mouse racer.

Doc,
I dead centered a Kansas City Nighthawk in 1958, at City Park, with a Quicker and a Johnson 35...Not much left but feathers, balsa, silk and the engine and tank.  Sounded like the plane hit a wall...Whack!!!

Stink'in bird...Quickers didn't come easy in those days. 

Randy Cuberly

[Bill Little]

Hi Gary,

I hate to hear about the bird attacks, especially when you have such a great day to fly!

As a kid during the summer we would fly until at least dark.   A couple times we got attacked (the planes that is) by bats...........  don't remember anyone actually hitting one, but they were close!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Randy Cuberly]

As for the Kites...

A soccer ball (or similar) tossed in the air in their flight path (or close to it) will usually discourage further attacks...two or three times and the birds usually get the idea...

Works with Red Tailed Hawks!

Randy Cuberly

[Bill Little]

As for the Kites...

A soccer ball (or similar) tossed in the air in their flight path (or close to it) will usually discourage further attacks...two or three times and the birds usually get the idea...

Works with Red Tailed Hawks!

Randy Cuberly

Hi Randy,

Funny you should mention soccer balls........... last time I flew at the ball field about 1 mile from my house, I had to dodge a soccer ball while I was flying!  Long story............

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Randy Cuberly]

Hi Randy,

Funny you should mention soccer balls........... last time I flew at the ball field about 1 mile from my house, I had to dodge a soccer ball while I was flying!  Long story............

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Hmmmmm...
I would think best way to discourage that is a close order confrontation with a great big Bear with a great big fist!!
 

Randy Cuberly

[Bill Little]

Hmmmmm...
I would think best way to discourage that is a close order confrontation with a great big Bear with a great big fist!!
 

Randy Cuberly

Fortunately Aaron was there and his cooler head prevailed............   HAven't even tried to go back there and fly.  And the soccer players have no real "right" being there as first come first served applies.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Jim Kraft]

Hey Gary; This has been a bad year for me as far as weather is concerned. I have only flown control line about twice. We had a fun fly at the R/C field today and I threw in a Magician to get in a little practice, but it got so hot I left it in the van and flew my Lazy Ace R/C bipe a few times, had lunch, and came home after it started raining. This was the first club fun fly that we have been able to have all year because of the weather. We have scheduled one every month on the 20th, and up until today they have all been canceled because of wind or rain. Hope we don't get Kites too. You keep them down there. LOL. Sorry you could not fly today. I know how that is as I usually go to Salina to fly which is about 26 miles to the field, and then when I get there the wind is blowing over 25. Bummers.

[Mike Griffin]

I was going to suggest a 12 guage but that would not go over good in a city park.  In Georgia we were wayyyy out in the country and I cut the grass at the field.  Coyotes, wild boars and other varmints liked to frequent our field...a Winchester 30-30 model 94 does wonders to make those suckers go away....

Mike

[Bill Little]

I was going to suggest a 12 guage but that would not go over good in a city park.  In Georgia we were wayyyy out in the country and I cut the grass at the field.  Coyotes, wild boars and other varmints liked to frequent our field...a Winchester 30-30 model 94 does wonders to make those suckers go away....

Mike

Hi Mike,

That's where a "chopper" would really come in handy. "Lock and load"!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Gary Mondry]

Soccer ball, huh.  I have visions of it landing on an airplane.  They didn't seem easily dissuaded.  I was swinging a towel when they got close, but they didn't give up.  Maybe a ball is worth a try.  They didn't go after the airplane.  Unfortunately, I can't watch for them while resetting the stooge and starting. 

Gary

[Elwyn Aud]

Mississippi Kites. (aka Wichihawks  )  This one is in the Cottonwood near the street in Plane View Park last August.

[Gary Mondry]

Same tree.  Probably the same bird.  sigh...

Gary

[Ron Cribbs]

Mississippi Kites,

Very aggressive when raising chicks. Had a pair attack myself and my pregnant wife a few years back they have incredibly strong talons and will cut your scalp up. I would have blew them to pieces if they weren't in a residential area and not a protected species.

They will leave within the month as soon as the fledglings leave the nest. Be aware they like to nest in the same spot the following year. Watch for this and remove the nest. I used a paint ball gun...............

[john e. holliday]

Birds protecting their young reminds me of when I went out to work on the old Ford.   Sandy, the demented poodle was with me.  At first I thought I felt something and then a few seconds later I noticed Sandy hugging the ground.   Then I got hit by a Blue Jay.   When I looked I seen why.  There some nestlings on the ground that had not gotten the strength to fly.   Needless to say we went inside and left them along.