A birdy bittersweet moment

griffgrouch · #1 (**permalink**) 15-08-2009, 04:03 PM

I looked out the back this morning and there was a female Sparrowhawk stood on my wall eating what I think was one of my visiting Goldfinches. I can't be sure because she ate everything.

The best view of a Sparrowhawk I have ever had. Can't help but feel a little sorry for the Goldfinch though.

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 15-08-2009, 04:32 PM

Always mixed feelings in these circumstances, but you're priveleged to see a top predator at such close quarters.

Walking round my local patch this morning I came across a flock of 50+ Goldfinches feeding on Knapweed seeds, the vast majority juveniles; infact I noticed only 1 that was a definite adult, though I may have missed a couple. So they seem to have had a good season. Also 8 Linnets with them .

Picidae · #3 (**permalink**) 15-08-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Always mixed feelings in these circumstances, but you're priveleged to see a top predator at such close quarters.

Walking round my local patch this morning I came across a flock of 50+ Goldfinches feeding on Knapweed seeds, the vast majority juveniles; infact I noticed only 1 that was a definite adult, though I may have missed a couple. So they seem to have had a good season. Also 8 Linnets with them .

Yes, dispersal and post natal flocking of lots of passerine species is pretty evident this time of year where I am - juveniles tend to flock then disperse separately from the adults to find new breeding grounds although I'm not sure how easy it is guauge just how successful the breeding season's been given they could come from a fairly wide catchment area without a proper post breeding survey. I've seen several groups of 150 + flocks of juvenile Starling regularly over the years at the beginning of August but that's a species that's declined steadily!