[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Oh, by the way,can hawks loop????
>
I do not have a definitive answer to your question, but the following
story suggests they can not. After all, birds fly for a living, not for
fun, and the ability to loop probably would not help them find their
next meal.
Several years ago I was flying a two metre, two channel trainer, on a
slope near home, when a hawk attacked it. His first pass was probably
just intended to scare me away, because he missed the glider by a few
inches. I continued to fly out from the hill as if nothing had happened.
He then turned for a second attack, and it looked as if, this time, he
was serious. I put the model into a shallow dive, but there was no way I
could out run him. So, when he was just behind me, I pulled up into a
loop, at the end of which I was about 15 metres directly behind him. I
did this purely in self defense. I had no aggressive intent, but this
may not have been apparent to the hawk. At this point he made a tight
360 degree turn to the left, presumably trying to get in position for
another attack. I followed him, and unexpectedly remained behind him,
but the gap had closed to 10 metres, perhaps even less. The hawk then
decided to call off the engagement and go hunting elsewhere, and I did
not see him again that day.
It was a great shame really. As far as I was concerned he was welcome to
all the mice and lizards, or whatever it is hawks eat, that were on that
hill. All I wanted was to share the thermals and slope lift.
I have seen hawks attack eagles on a couple of occasions. The tactics
used were the same as used against me, a fast dive from above, and
directly behind. The eagles' defensive tactics were similar to mine in
that they continued on course but increased their speed by diving at a
shallow angle. But when the hawk was about to hit them, they would roll
on their backs and strike out with their claws, then roll upright again.
On neither occasion that I saw this happen, did the hawk come back for a
second attempt.
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Ian Roach Kiama, NSW Australia
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: 61 2 4232 1775
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