Sparrowhawk id & couple q's!

[ollyk]

Hi folks, could someone please confirm whether we have a sparrowhawk in our grandparents garden?
We have noticed it (I think I have seen a grey male too but can't be sure) making a nest over the last week and thought at one point the magpies had succesfully driven it / them away Saying that I think this must be a holiday home because they are often missing for hours at a time then continue building the nest!

Anyway, as the house is (very sadly) going on the market soon we arn't too bothered about the impact this new family might have, well to tell you the truth I am not really bothered at all it is more my mum. But I do wonder if you would notice a difference with local bird populations or would they tend to hunt further away from their nest area?

Anyway, questions aside here are some piccies...








Note to the mods - please don't have a go for my external links once positive id has been confirmed I will happily update links and my gallery. I just find the whole process of posting unidentified pics a little on the slow side here!

Thanks.

Olly.
Olly.

[GuyF]

Firstly, yes that is a male Sparrowhawk,
I think they'd hunt anywhere there is a good population of small birds, whether it's near their nest or a bit further away, however you won't see a change in the population of the small birds because it will generally pick out weaker individuals and there will always be more small birds ready to come into the area, also it is native so small birds have always had Sparrowhawks preying on them and the Sparrowhawk numbers are always smaller than the birds which it preys on.
By the way, you're really lucky having them nesting in your garden!
Guy

[ollyk]

Originally Posted by GuyF

Firstly, yes that is a male Sparrowhawk,
I think they'd hunt anywhere there is a good population of small birds, whether it's near their nest or a bit further away, however you won't see a change in the population of the small birds because it will generally pick out weaker individuals and there will always be more small birds ready to come into the area, also it is native so small birds have always had Sparrowhawks preying on them and the Sparrowhawk numbers are always smaller than the birds which it preys on.
By the way, you're really lucky having them nesting in your garden!
Guy

Thanks Guy. I wish I could watch this bird longer, but sadly, the house has to go on the market this week and we are told it won't be on the market long.... A very sad time for the family as my grandparents were the first to move into the estate 50 or so years ago, and I have known this house all my life. Sort of the closing chapter really. The garden, wildlife and views over the rural fields are absolutely stunning, and will be sorely missed!

I think I might try to sneak a tele lens home soon and camp out in the garden as much as possible!

Olly.

[nightshade]

Wheres the house and what are you asking

[ollyk]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Wheres the house and what are you asking

well it probably wouldn't be right to promote it on this website, but I am happy to share a piccy of the garden with you



The nest is in the scot tree (can't think of the name right now ) at the bottom of the garden.