Sparrowhawk attack

[fulhamphil]

Saw something today in my garden i thought i'd never see, a sparrowhawk attack on a group of starlings feeding on the fatballs! Whilst it was distressing to see i couldn't help being captivated by the sparrowhawk going about its business, from the chase through to the kill it was a most awesome piece of nature unfolding before my eyes, something i would'nt want to witness again though!
I did manage to get a photo i will post if i can work out how to.

[naturelover]

fantastic,wish i had witnessed that,dont feel too bad about the starling he was only getting his dinner like you and me,but you are lucky to have seen that let alone getting pictures,cant wait to see them.

[Words]

How amazing to see that in front of you. Looking forward to any photos you managed to get (not always easy when the situation gets that lively!)

[demicav]

Originally Posted by fulhamphil

Saw something today in my garden i thought i'd never see, a sparrowhawk attack on a group of starlings feeding on the fatballs! Whilst it was distressing to see i couldn't help being captivated by the sparrowhawk going about its business, from the chase through to the kill it was a most awesome piece of nature unfolding before my eyes, something i would'nt want to witness again though!
I did manage to get a photo i will post if i can work out how to.

Life can be harsh like this, animals getting their food is not always a pretty sight. I think birds of prey are fantastic and Sparrowhawks are perfect ambush predators. You're lucky to witness it.

[Cotham Marble]

About 20 years ago in the middle of housing estate, I was walking directly past a smallish Rowan tree when a Sparrow Hawk in near vertical dive, akin to a Peregrine, shot right into the tree's canopy. What was even more stunning was what followed as a veritable fountain of House Sparrows (the population was still high then) errupted from out of the canopy, many of them looping back into the tree in a remarkable display of predator avoidance behaviour.

I've seen urban Sparrow Hawks on many occasions since, have even seen them take prey but never again seen the flock avoidance behaviour by Sparrows, nor seen a Sparrow Hawk in vertical dive - only lateral swoops.

CM

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by demicav

Life can be harsh like this, animals getting their food is not always a pretty sight. I think birds of prey are fantastic and Sparrowhawks are perfect ambush predators. You're lucky to witness it.

I agree with you.
Although it is sad to see other birds/animals being killed, it is nature.

In December 2006 when visiting my parents I saw a male sparrowhawk eating his prey in their garden. I was very excited but my mum was swearing. I told her if she chased it away it would mean its prey had been killed for nothing and it would have to go and kill something else. She left it alone and I ran out to my car to get my camera (which is never very far from my side).

The photo isn't the best but I was excited and I didn't want to disturb it, so I took the photo through the bedroom window.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by 2dogs2000

I agree with you.
Although it is sad to see other birds/animals being killed, it is nature.

In December 2006 when visiting my parents I saw a male sparrowhawk eating his prey in their garden. I was very excited but my mum was swearing. I told her if she chased it away it would mean its prey had been killed for nothing and it would have to go and kill something else. She left it alone and I ran out to my car to get my camera (which is never very far from my side).

The photo isn't the best but I was excited and I didn't want to disturb it, so I took the photo through the bedroom window.

Good picture of a beautiful bird. You were right to advise against chasing it away, I agree the prey would have died for nothing.

[Buzzy]

fulhamphil, it can be so distressing to see something like that. I am so fascinated by birds of prey that the upset would be overridden by just wanting to observe a magnificent bird doing what comes naturally to it.
If I could devise a moving camera to self operate and view the sky all day long I would, just to view the bird activity when I'm indoors or away.
Great picture 2dogs2000. You must have been quick to respond.

[2dogs2000]

Great picture 2dogs2000. You must have been quick to respond.[/quote]

I was out of puff by the time I took the photo. I had to run across the road to get my camera from the car and then run upstairs. Luckily the sparrowhawk had just begun his meal when I spotted him.

My poor mum was disgusted with me.

[Duke of York]

We sometimes get a sparrowhawk visit but apart from seeing the aftermath of it's meal we have never seen it actually catch anything as yet.

Infact both yesterday and today we have had a visit, although the sparrowhawk in question didn't appear to be hunting, and this morning I did actually manage to get some photos

They are not brilliant (the best one is below) but then given the weather and the fact I was taking the picture throught the french doors they could have been worse plus I hope I will have the chance to get some better shots.