Leeds Sparrowhawk?

[bodshi]

Hi everyone, first time posting on this great site, so hope this is not a stupid question. It is - would it be possible tocould I possibly have seen a Sparrowhawk in Leeds city centre? This afternoon coming home from work saw flying over City Square looking a bird a bit bigger than a pigeon carrying something in its talons. I could only see the sillhouette but it was beating its wings hard and fast, quite pigeon like, but as though it was really struggling to carry whatever it had - that just looked like a bundle with a dangly bit! The only reason I thought Sparrowhawk was that the pigeons sitting on the nearby buildings scattered like mad as it flew over. Only time I have seen Sparrowhawks before have been either sitting in a tree or once flying low and up into a hedge, so not really familiar with an overhead view. Many thanks

[dmclean2]

Hi Bodshi,
Welcome to WAB ,
The best site for nature ever, In answer to your question, yes it's a good possibility that the bird you saw was indeed a sparrowhawk,
I live in Deal in Kent, it's quite a big town and a Sparrowhawk regularly makes a kill in my back garden, right in the middle of town, the last kill we didn't see, but the pattern of the feathers on the ground told us how it made the kill and where it stated to pluck it before carrying it off , the prey was a collared dove, you will have to learn to look for specific features to describe to us what you see, or even better post a photo,
Look forward to hearing from you again, and maybe a pic or two,
Duncan

[Kayleigh]

Hi bodshi welcome.

[aeshna5]

Sparrowhawks are pretty widespread these days + can be found in cities- the're certainly common in London. Your description doesn't really eliminate other raptors- so it could have been a Sparrowhawk, but what about a Peregrine, as these too are finding our cities an attractive proposition? Thes are less common, but what certainly have the same effect on the pigeons!

[Hedge Witch]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

what about a Peregrine, as these too are finding our cities an attractive proposition?

I think you were lucky if you saw a Peregrine. I think a Sparrowhawk most likely.

While there have been reports of peregrine falcons breeding in towns, and sightings of red kites and kestrels, the most likely bird of prey to visit a city garden is probably the sparrowhawk.

[sometimes]

I worked in Leeds a fair number of years and often saw Sparrowhawks soaring across the centre. they were usually up quite high, but I see no reason why the bird you saw shouldn't be one.

I don't think it's in the realms of fantasy that it might have been a Peregrine either.

[steve french]

Welcome to the forum, as already said both Peregrines and Sparrow Hawks are now city and town dwellers, Sparrow Hawks, in paticular the females do take Pigeons, and they struggle to carry them, my money is on the Sparrow hawk.

[Tracey.A]

Hi Bodshi, welcome to the forum If I was to guess, then I'd guess sparrowhawk, but can't say for sure

Tracey

[sometimes]

I remember one year there was large flock of waxwings in the centre of the city. They were drinking out of gutters and generally making the most of any fruit they could find on trees. I got some strange looks as i was gazing up at them through binoculars.

[bodshi]

Many thanks for all your replies - I'm quite excited to think I saw a Sparrowhawk in the middle of smelly Leeds! Went with binoculars in bag this morning - wasn't sure if I'd be brave enough to get them out but no sign of anything interesting today - not even a Waxwing! - that must have been a really exciting day!

[Kev-B]

Hi Bodshi ..

Welcome from another Leeds "loiner" ...

City Square eh ? ... lucky it didn't get blown off-course by the Black Prince's horse .. (I'm sure you'll remember the tale about what it used to do to the stamps in the GPO) ?? ...

Bye for now ..

Kev ..

[ellen h]

Hi and welcome to WAB!!
ellen

[sometimes]

Originally Posted by bodshi

- wasn't sure if I'd be brave enough to get them out

Sounds like Leeds. I took my camera to Leeds to do some night shots once but had to come away through fear of being mugged.

[bodshi]

Kev B - I'm intrigued, never heard the story of The Prince and the stamps! Lovely horse Ellen!

[shearwater66]

I live and work in Leeds City Centre.I often see Sparrowhawk circling over the City and I have seen 1 Peregrine near the Royal Armouries.The Peregrine had caught a Moorhen and was struggling to gain height over the apartment blocks!

7 Waxwings along the river today,flying into the City