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Our local sparrowhawk seems to like draping the pigeon carcass over our the top of our fence as a little memento of its visit.............
I concur. The "carry on" "was there a crow as well" is a clever one.
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It’s a good job there were no baby robins around, that sparrow hawk would’ve soon scarpered
The Wife walked in from work just before 4. As I was telling her about the sparrow hawk it turned up again. Sat on the fence for a couple of minutes then flew off. It was looking for the remains of the pigeon. The crows or magpies must have moved it, there’s only feathers left now.
The magpies are sat in the large tree squawking like velociraptors.
A neighbour was bemoaning the fact that a sparrowhawk was taking little birds from his bird feeding station. I pointed out that what he inadvertently had was a sparrowhawk feeding station. I think he saw the funny side of the philosophy.
We have a sparrow hawk that strafes the garden every few days. One of my favourite birds. I do wish it would take out some of the magpies, jackdaws and crows though. But they're off the menu. There's a family of buzzards always circling in the distance. What's rather more worrying is the red kite that has taken to floating about 30ft above our chickens' compound. One of the hens is on watch duty at any time and they give a specific call that's different from other warnings. I guess it means 'look up, ladies'.
A neighbour was bemoaning the fact that a sparrowhawk was taking little birds from his bird feeding station. I pointed out that what he inadvertently had was a sparrowhawk feeding station. I think he saw the funny side of the philosophy.
I don't specifically feed small birds to attract predators - but I'm always aware it COULD happen... 😀
The benefits to working from home - massive bang at the window - me, the wife and eldest daughter all working at home, all emerge from separate rooms WTF was that - i go outside to check. One dead pigeon attached to one Hawk now having its brunch - not sure what type but was impressive.
ones always paying our garden a visit, got some long thick hedges so always lots of small birds about. last summer sat in the garden after work having a beer and all of a sudden lots of noise in the hedge only a few feet behind us, turned round just in time to see the sparrow hawk fly out with a small bird.
There's one in the park near our house. I've seen and heard it take magpies.
Here's the goshawk video I was thinking of:
This is great.
I was walking back to my car after work a few hours before you the OP posted and right in front of me a raptor (not likely a sparrowhawk in Oz) came out of the forest to my left, across my path less than 1m above the ground, picked out a smaller black bird that i'd not even seen was in the undergrowth and flew off with it. It all happened rather quickly i couldn't get enough to ID it.
A few years ago though I disturbed a Wedgetail Eagle on a bike ride and it flew off with a magpie in its talons. Amazing sight.
couldn’t believe how quick it moved while missing the branches
Loving this thread. Some amazing pics posted, ta!
From watching The Secret Lives of Pets (or something to that effect), on ITV earlier, one of the reasons they can manoeuvre through trees so effectively is because they have the ability to see into the ultra-violet range of the light spectrum. They have four cones for tetrachromatic colour vision, where we only have three. Totally fascinating IMO.
What’s rather more worrying is the red kite that has taken to floating about 30ft above our chickens’ compound.
Kites arent great predators but tend more towards carrion. Buzzards might fancy their chances or possibly even a female sparrowhawk but kites would be hoping the chicken keels over first.
There's a pair of short eared owls that hunt over the moors where I walk the dog. They really are a delight to watch, hunting voles over the adjoining pastureland and the white grass in a really graceful and delicate flight. They are there most afternoons, and often come within iPhone video range (my family may or may not be getting fed up with Dad's "here are the owls" videos)
A coupe of weeks ago my dog was sniffing around about 40 yards away from me and one decided to come over to investigate. I presume it spotted the movement of the labrador in the labrador-coloured grass, and divebombed her three or four times before deciding she wouldn't make a very good dinner.
They "stoop" from about five feet up, and then settle on a rock or tussock to gulp down their catch.
I had one swoop into my tree thats 2 metres from my window very early in the morning last year, the sparrows just popped higher up into the foliage out of reach, totally outsmarted the hawk and took the pss staying in the tree, Its only a small 7 or 8ft tree that produces white flowers, I was amazed at the speed it came in at almost horizontally as well, I thought it crash landed at first but it threaded through the branches like it was laser guided and the tree barely moved.
We have a Harris hawk knocking about, escaped a couple of years back from a falconry place and has managed to adapt and survive.
Also had a golden eagle that fly off from someone and was mooching about last week for a few days before that was captured.
Also sparrow hawks and owls kicking about, particularly if I drive out the back way from the village.
Loverly things to see.
Just had the pleasure of watching one for a good ten minutes. Even managed to get my Lumix out. This is about 15 yards away in next door's apple tree and taken through our bedroom window!
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I'm always wary of anyone who keeps a camera handy overlooking next doors garden.....
There’s a family of buzzards always circling in the distance. What’s rather more worrying is the red kite that has taken to floating about 30ft above our chickens’ compound. One of the hens is on watch duty at any time and they give a specific call that’s different from other warnings. I guess it means ‘look up, ladies’.
How big are your hens? We have a few ex bats and always have a few buzzards in the air above (we live in a rural area surrounded by fields). In 6 years we have never had a bird of prey attack our ladies.
one i photographed last week
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Had a load of feathers in the garden a few days ago. The lighter, more delicate white feathers that would be under the outer feathers. Presume from a pigeon eaten by a sparrowhawk, though none of the outer feathers around strangely. Gutted to have missed it. Hoovered the feathers up with a garden vac!
on ITV earlier, one of the reasons they can manoeuvre through trees so effectively is because they have the ability to see into the ultra-violet range of the light spectrum. They have four cones for tetrachromatic colour vision, where we only have three. Totally fascinating IMO
This makes no sense to me. The ability to see a different part of the spectrum doesn't change where the tree/branch/bush is, or how swiftly an animal can move around it. Is it because the hawk has better resolution eyesight for that environment, so is less likely to be confused by a blur of green?
Came home from work to find a sparrowhawk starting on a blackbird it had caught on my front lawn - gave a disgruntled screech at being interrupted and flew away to finish eating it elsewhere.
I was driving through the Peak one evening and come across a load of feathers blowing across the road. A quick look around found this beauty having her dinner.
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Stopped for 15 mins on a ride this weekend to watch a pair of buzzards near Prestolee / little lever. Watcimg them play with the wind was mesmerising, using it hold a completely static position. Differently to how a kestrel would, not so much a hover, more like showing off, surfing the wind and holding a freeze frame for few seconds.
Flashy Buzztards
Giving you the evil eye
The carcass is still on the lawn. I suspect M. Reynard will be along later.
Joined the club last weekend (crappy zoomed-in iPhone photo, apologies 😂)
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Are you Appalachian?
As the song says "Elvis aint dead. . ."
I once saw a sparrowhawk standing over a dead pigeon in the garden. And a second pigeon next to it, fending it off. A proper stand off. Every time the sparrowhawk moved towards the dead one, the live one struck out at it. Eventually the hawk gave up and flew off
I supposed in the air the hawk is superior but on the ground it's more evenly matched
Changed my view of pigeons. Looked like it was defending the body of its mate, or friend. Achilles and Patroclus. I hope that's what it was doing. Very sad though.