My first Sparrowhawk - on my garden fence!

tich007mt · #1 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 08:43 PM

I was only bemoaning to my wife last night that I was seeing very few birds in the back garden over the last week. This morning however - early at 7.30 am - my wife shouted to me that there was a 'big bird' on the fence. I raced to get my camera first - just in case - and was absolutely gobsmacked to see this Sparrowhawk (female I think) just sitting there!!

Pics spoiled slightly by roses in the way - taken through the window - but still very pleasing.

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 08:46 PM

Wow, amazing photos! Maybe I'll get one in the garden one day...

tich007mt · #3 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 08:51 PM

Thanks Jason - you never know - totally unexpected for me and praise to my wife who spotted it for me!!

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 08:55 PM

Actually, I photographed one overhead a year ago. The slow 'Flap, Flide, Flap' pattern gave me the opportunity to get a few pics - this is the best of them.

Take care,

Jason

Ollie · #5 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 08:55 PM

Very nice shots especially as you were shooting through the window. Well done. Not something you see very often and you captured it well.
Roger

ellen h · #6 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 08:58 PM

At least its solved the mystery of why the birds are few -hiding from her!
Good shots there,they are a striking bird
ellen

ron1863 · #7 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 09:03 PM

Nice shots of a beautiful bird, not seen in gardens too often

demicav · #8 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 09:07 PM

Good pics, lucky you. We've had evidence of one in the garden but missed it. They're a super Bird.

Bub-les · #9 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 09:11 PM

lucky you
good photos as well
Barbara

colincurry · #10 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 09:12 PM

A well-taken opportunity. Lucky you (in the nicest sense).

Colin

jack** · #11 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 09:31 PM

I struggle to get Sparrows in my garden let alone a Sparrow Hawk! Lucky You

Youll have to swap your bird seed for some nice chunks of meat and make it a regular vistor

Jack

deer boy · #12 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 05:39 PM

Great shots tich we had one in our garden a few weeks back lovely birds

Kayleigh · #13 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 05:45 PM

She is gorgeous, really nice shotsyou were lucky to capture her so close.
I have a very grainy pic of a female eating a starling on my lawn last winter.

aeshna5 · #14 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron1863

Nice shots of a beautiful bird, not seen in gardens too often

Is that ironic? Gardens are prime place for Sparrowhawks, though I guess most people just miss them. As I left the house this morning I heard the House Sparrows in the hedge shout + low over + between the houses shot through a female Sparrowhawk.

Jason Green · #15 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 05:59 PM

Sparrowhawks visits to my garden are few and far between, apparently. In fact I've seen hobbies more often!!

aeshna5 · #16 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Sparrowhawks visits to my garden are few and far between, apparently. In fact I've seen hobbies more often!!

Lucky you. Hobby is probably the second commonest raptor over my garden after Sparrowhawk (which is often in garden as well as over). Back in June while I was in my pond I had 3 Hobbies together overhead. Otherwise I've had 2 Kestrels hunting over garden.

Jason Green · #17 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 06:39 PM

Even luckier you then! I'm still hoping for a Merlin (though I doubt it) or a Buzzard.

Kayleigh · #18 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Even luckier you then! I'm still hoping for a Merlin (though I doubt it) or a Buzzard.

I have had the odd buzzard and kestrel over my garden

Jason Green · #19 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 06:50 PM

Anytime

Oh, different thread

I'm surprised I haven't had a Kestrel; I'm still looking though. I saw one hovering around 7 metres away the other day, hovering twice!

Kayleigh · #20 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 07:04 PM

[quote]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Anytime

Oh, different thread

I have a large berberis where about 50 house sparrows reside..

So its fast food at my house.

LoveT · #21 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I have had the odd buzzard and kestrel over my garden

Me too - if I'm lucky. Hardly seen any this year

Thea

Kayleigh · #22 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveT

Me too - if I'm lucky. Hardly seen any this year

Thea

I often see buzzards when sitting in the garden but they are so high you can't get a pic..I saw a couple talon grappling last week.

Jason Green · #23 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

...I saw a couple talon grappling last week.

I bet that's not a common garden sight, must have been spectacular!

Blackdogjnr · #24 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 07:12 AM

If I was a blue tit and I saw this lady I'd absolutely poo myself!
they're really striking, almost sinister I think.
beautiful shots.

I have one in my garden every now and again, usually when the feeders get busy! A dead giveaway! he tends to swoop in and clear the area for 15mins before the little uns come back again.
never seen him land yet though.
just swoop.

witham · #25 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 07:48 AM

great pics, we have a regular visitor and even had them nesting this year up in the bank of trees which we hadn't realised until the fledgling commotion, but as there's so much dense foliage etc wasn't able to get a shot