Predators in action

[aeshna5]

This afternoon I was running a bird ID session at London Wetland Centre + we watched a Great-crested Grebe manipulating a young Perch it had caught. The unlucky fish was stretching its spiny dorsal fin to prevent itself being swallowed, whilst the bird had to swivel the fish around in its bill so that instead of tail first, the fish was swallowed head first.

At about the same time we'd seen c.100 Starlings skittishly swirling around + I suggested there may be a Sparrowhawk about. There on a long thin island was a sitting immature male Sparrowhawk. As we moved to next hide the Sparrowhawk was now sat on another nearer island. The rain was tipping down + c.20 House Martins + a Swallow were getting a drenching, when 1 of the House Martins swooped down to mob the Sparrowhawk. This was to be a foolish move as the Sparrowhawk lifted off, somersaulted with legs stretched skyward grasping the martin, bringing the prey close to the body + returning to normal posture + flying off with its expertly caught dinner. I've not seen this behaviour before + for a young bird to perfect it in appalling weather was an awesome sight.