sparrowhawk

jdurbo · #1 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 04:49 PM

Went into the kitchen and there he was again pucking his victim on my apple tree. i read somewhere that sparrowhawks have a pucking perch does anyone know if this is true and might it be in our garden?: jen xxx

galanthus · #2 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdurbo

Went into the kitchen and there he was again pucking his victim on my apple tree. i read somewhere that sparrowhawks have a pucking perch does anyone know if this is true and might it be in our garden?: jen xxx

Maybe you mean a plucking perch ? Just as well you typed carefully

jdurbo · #3 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 04:58 PM

yes i ment plucking!! silly me

jen xxx

Cotham Marble · #4 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdurbo

Went into the kitchen and there he was again pucking his victim on my apple tree. i read somewhere that sparrowhawks have a pucking perch does anyone know if this is true and might it be in our garden?: jen xxx

Yes individual birds do tend to have a favourite spot for defeathering prey - this is most conspicuous when this a fence post or tree stump. You would probably have noticed the stripped feathers if this particular tree had been used previously as a 'stripping post', but it is certainly worth keeping a watch out for the sparrowhawk in future.

CM

jdurbo · #5 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 07:02 AM

we have seen it plucking a bird on the post just behind the tree and found feathers in the border just at the side of the tree. seem to be seeing it at least every other day at the moment with or without a bird.. still better him than a cat

jen xxx

jdurbo · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 03:47 PM

Hi all. Im really interested in this sparrowhawk now, today its had a starling ( know it was a starling by the feathers and the beak that it left behind) this time under the apple tree

Does anyone know if sparrowhawks eat their prey where they catch them or maybe its bringing it to my garden? I will get a pic of it one of these days

jen xxx

jdurbo · #7 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 06:18 PM

Well seen it again on the apple tree without a bird but looking! surely can't be the same one hungry again it was only about 2 hours since the last one! can it?

jen xxx

Tursiops2 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdurbo

Well seen it again on the apple tree without a bird but looking! surely can't be the same one hungry again it was only about 2 hours since the last one! can it?

jen xxx

It's probably feeding young somewhere. Is it male or female?

mrs fish · #9 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 07:21 PM

They have to feed young and theirselves, your garden is their hunting ground at the moment, they will move on eventually, it is a sight to see

jdurbo · #10 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 05:03 AM

I thought it was male but my husband thinks its female i will try and have a really good look next time. a bird book i looked at said the female is bigger than the male but that dont really help me unless i saw a male and female together to see the sizes. I dont mind it leaving feathers but it wasnt a nice mess i had to clear up on wed

thank you for your replys jen xxx