sparrow hawk

[tots1968]

Hi,
I have been dilligently feeding the wild birds in my garden for the last few years and this year I have had more than ever. Occasionally I get cats in the garden but have done my utmost to deter them and to feed the birds in a way which minimises the chances of them falling prey to cats. Anyway, last week in the garden there was evidence of a birdy crime scene and a partial set of wing feathers slightly impaled upright into the lawn along with a lot of other feathers. Today a sparrow hawk was sitting happily on the fence and I am wondering whether the two things may be related. As exciting as it was to have such a bird so close by, if it is now using the bird feeders as a lure to capture all the little birds I have encouraged into the garden, should I now try to deter it in some way in case it picks them all off?!!! If yes, then what would deter it or even better just help keep the smaller birds a little safer? I have got a covered bird table, with an anti squirrel seed feeder hanging off it (if it gets the peanuts and buries them the dog digs a big hole to get the peanut back out to eat it). I have also got bird seed feeder and 'fatballs' hanging off the washing line in a bid to keep the birds safe from any cats. I would be grateful for any humane advice on keeping all the wildlife visitors happy and alive.
Cheers
Amanda

[paulchandler6]

I dont think you should do anything to deter a Sparrowhawk from taking birds at your feeding station. Thats the way it is out there. Its a natural part of the system. Small birds congregate at any area where food is around and Sparrowhawks will find them.
I have Sparrowhawks visit the garden on average daily and they may take 1 bird per week if lucky.
I accept it as feeding all the birds.

Paul

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Totally agree with what Paul says a Sparrowhawk won't eat all the birds you feed because then they're be none left! reports do say that areas with healthy populations of Sparrowhawk also have the greatest number of "prey" birds

[Wild-Woman]

This is a good indicator of an all round healthy population of birds. Sounds nicely balanced.

[naturelover]

i think you are lucky to have a sparrowhawk visit your garden,lovely little birds and they have to eat too,its not their fault they are meat eaters any more than it is us.

[demicav]

As sad as it may seem it's all part of nature. I agree with the others, sounds like you have it all very well balanced in your garden and I would feel very proud.

[John D]

Originally Posted by naturelover

i think you are lucky to have a sparrowhawk visit your garden,lovely little birds and they have to eat too,its not their fault they are meat eaters any more than it is us.

I agree. Sparrow Hawks are just part of the wildlife like any other bird or animal. The Sparrow Hawk is just doing what comes naturally and what it must do to live.
Our garden has a regular visit from many birds including at least one Sparrow Hawk.
John D

[tots1968]

I was really impressed myself to see the sparrow hawk - don't get me wrong I don't want to shoot it or anything!!!!! I was concerned that I was setting up the other birds to get massacred thats all. I shall watch out for it in future, they built industrial units nearby a couple of years ago and the wildlife has declined as a result, all the hedgehogs have disappeared as have the 'plague like' phenomenon of thousands of frogs which used to appear in all the gardens in spring/summer, our group fought for a small nature reserve (there were/are great crested newts) behind the units which we got but now with a change in council leadership council cooperation has ceased, and they want our group to agree to really unreasonable financial commitments for their land so the land will no longer be maintained (there are I am sure you are aware quite specific requirements for newt habitats)- thus turn to scrub, thus lose the newts thus they can build on it eventually.

[Cazzie]

I had a sparrowhawk visit last week (see bird of the day thread) and Jen did too, but he hasn't been back since. I have various feeding stations around the garden and tbh I've no idea if he plucked one off from there or out of a hedge! He did however have a meal here - 1 sparrow - neat pile of feathers on the lawn, and now he's off somewhere else

It's great that it's chosen your garden as a new restaurant!

[Adam Cheeseman]

Don't worry. Sparrowhawks have a 1 in 20 success rate when hunting. As has already been aluded to, when there are good numbers of Sprawks the prey numbers do well also. When their populations crashed because of the pesticides, the populations of their prey species also dropped. Some people say there are 'too many' sprawks now but they are only recently back up to their pre crash numbers.

Cheers,

Adam