Sparrowhawk 1 Collared Dove 0

[colincurry]

I biked down to the river to the northeast of our village this afternoon hoping to catch sight of the pallid harrier that had been in the area. No luck either on this attempt or the previous early morning effort.

It was getting a bit late for mealtime, so I decided best wheel forward. On the way, I was stopped by a tractor driving friend who wanted to talk about the various raptors seen in the area. This delay turned out to be very lucky for me.

I was almost home when I saw out of the corner of my eye what I first thought was a pair of collared doves on the ground and up to no good. Doves don't usually do that sort of thing on the ground; and one of them hd a barred breast. I stopped my bike, rescued my camera from my rucksack and hurried to where I saw the birds fly. The sparrowhawk that I had now identified then flew across the road with its prey - with some difficulty in view of the relative sizes. It landed on the opposite pavement quite unfazed by the passing cars. It allowed me to get closer and closer......









That was near enough and it flew down the road and into the driveway of a nearby house



He let me take a couple of snaps peering around the corner, and then scuttled to the opposite corner of the driveway against a fence. I decided then that he had been more than generous, and left him in peace.

A pretty amazing encounter for me and especially in such busy surroundings.

Colin

[willing to learn]

Impressive pics well done well worth the early rise.
Regards
Colin

[RobinP]

Lovely shots of the male Sprawk, Colin, well done

[Jonners]

Super shots Colin, well done. Sometimes you do just have to be in the right place at the right time

[Phoebe]

Brilliant photos Colin!

I thought it looked like a male, and I was right I also wonder if it is a youngster because of the white feathers on its head? And I have never noticed the legs of these birds look quite thin not strong looking at all.

[MrLouKnee]

nice pics

[James M]

Fantastic shots! never had an opportunity like that.

[rossy]

nice pics colin . wish i had a camera with me as a female has just landed on the tv ariel over the road as i was putting food out for the birds. went up circled and dived into a tree came out with nothing. seem to be turning up all over at the moment . rossy

[earthdragon64]

Nice shots, they are beautiful birds and a bird of prey you can get quite close to if you are careful, without having to go very far from home.

I got some shots of a Sparrowhawk with a Chaffinch in my garden earlier this year, they were through the window, but not bad. I also got some shots of a Sparrowhawk holding down a Starling on the pavement in my cul-de-sac. The Starling survived as a neighbour drove up in a van and the Sparrowhawk dropped the Starling as it flew away.

[Beekeeper]

Super photographs, some people have all the luck

BK