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25-09-2005, 05:37 PM
|  | Frozen | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Somerset, UK
Posts: 497
| | | What did I see?
Hi,
Yesterday in the garden I saw some large birds flying across at around tree top height. I only looked up because of the unusual sound they made, one I'd not heard before. It was something between a squawk and a cat meowing.
A little while later I saw two birds fly across, the lead bird (which looked to be a wood pigeon or similar) headed straight for a tree. The second seemed to chase right up to the tree but failed to catch up with it and nearly crashed into the tree. The second bird was somewhat bigger than the first.
This was in Wellington, Somerset. At my old house in Taunton a pigeon was taken from the garden once. I heard the noise and looked out the back door to see falling feathers and a neighbour said the pigeon had been taken from the fence by something.
Anyone have any ideas? Sorry it's all a bit vague, if it's likely to be a bird of prey I will have to see if I can't get some shots of it assuming it comes back.
Thanks,
Andy |
25-09-2005, 06:56 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: uk
Posts: 924
| | | Off the top of my head, I would suggest sparrowhawk, more than likely a female too.
The female sparrowhawk is a lot bigger than the male, and is capable of killing a wood pigeon, it has happened in my garden.
The male sparrowhawk is smaller, and usually takes the smaller birds. |
25-09-2005, 07:00 PM
| | Frozen | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Somerset, UK
Posts: 497
| | | Thanks,
Do you think it's likely she will be around again? If so any advice on most likely times, etc? |
25-09-2005, 07:05 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: uk
Posts: 924
| | | Oh yes, I'll bet you'll be seeing her again. Having a sparrowhawk around indicates a healthy bird population. No particular time when they are likely to be seen. But do watch out for sudden movements around shrubbery/trees etc, they are very very agile fliers, and can appear to suddenly stop in mid flight and do a 180degree turn in mid air!
Here is a link to a pic in the gallery. This was taken a couple of years ago, and it is of the female sparrowhawk making a kill and eating it - a collared dove. |
25-09-2005, 07:06 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: uk
Posts: 924
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25-09-2005, 07:09 PM
| | Frozen | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Somerset, UK
Posts: 497
| | Fantastic shot. I checked a few shots but that was the first that gave me some scale reference, looks about spot on.
I have to say I'm quite excited about seeing her again now.
Thanks Helen  | |
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