Two garden firsts

Ollie · #1 (**permalink**) 17-10-2007, 09:31 PM

Hi all.
A while back as some of you may recall we completely renewed and re-sited our bird feeding station. This has been a great success beyond anything that I imagined.

Yesterday we had a Great Spotted Woodpecker pay a brief visit. Just looked out the window and there it was hanging on the fat ball feeder. Today although it didn't actually land or catch anything a Sparrowhawk paid a visit.
It came in incredibly fast in a diving swoop and was inches from lifting a Sparrow off the Berberris bush.

I was actually stood with the front door ajar photographing the birds when the Sparrowhawk came and I could actually hear the rush of air it's wings made as it came in, it than had to bank very steeply and rise up at an incredible rate to clear my neighbours house roof. No chance of a photo as it all happened so quickly.
Roger

naturelover · #2 (**permalink**) 17-10-2007, 10:37 PM

hi roger lookes like they like the move, nice one.

paulchandler6 · #3 (**permalink**) 17-10-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ollie

was actually stood with the front door ajar photographing the birds when the Sparrowhawk came and I could actually hear the rush of air it's wings made as it came in,

I had a similar situation last week with a male Sparrowhawk. I saw him fly into the Oak at the bottom of the garden. I got halfway along the garden with the camera, but he decided to fly out straight towards me. Too fast to take a pic. As it went by I felt the air from his wings as he flew past almost clipping me. Quite an experience.

Paul