Sparrowhawk

[Norfolk Girl]

Forgive me if this subject has been covered many times before in forums - I daresay it has. But I have a sparrowhawk who regularly visits my garden.

So far I haven't actually seen him/her actually make a kill, I have seen it eating its catch under my pear tree. My gardener suggested moving the bird table nearer trees and shrubs, because "they like a clear path to get to their prey". As I've established from reading the sparrowhawk's description on your site, that is not true!

Since re-siting the bird table, I've seen it sitting on the fence the other side, to get a better view. This morning I couldn't believe it when I saw one sitting in the pear tree, next to the large seed feeder!

I know they have to eat, as we all do, but I just don't like the idea of seeing one of these sparrowhawks taking one of my 'little feathered friends'. So at the moment, as soon as I spot one I scare it off.

Just wondered how most other fellow WAB followers felt about this - should I feel privileged?

[HanDiiMaNz]

Originally Posted by Norfolk Girl

Forgive me if this subject has been covered many times before in forums - I daresay it has. But I have a sparrowhawk who regularly visits my garden.

So far I haven't actually seen him/her actually make a kill, I have seen it eating its catch under my pear tree. My gardener suggested moving the bird table nearer trees and shrubs, because "they like a clear path to get to their prey". As I've established from reading the sparrowhawk's description on your site, that is not true!

Since re-siting the bird table, I've seen it sitting on the fence the other side, to get a better view. This morning I couldn't believe it when I saw one sitting in the pear tree, next to the large seed feeder!

I know they have to eat, as we all do, but I just don't like the idea of seeing one of these sparrowhawks taking one of my 'little feathered friends'. So at the moment, as soon as I spot one I scare it off.

Just wondered how most other fellow WAB followers felt about this - should I feel privileged?

Hello,

personally I wouldn't scare it off, as you say the sprawk does need to eat just like the rest do. I rarely ever get any hawk attacks because my feeders are under a canopy which if a overhead flying sparrowhawk was to pass, it wouldn't be able to see the other birds on the feeders.

It is however the circle of life and must be left to its own device. If i'm being honest, I love watching predator birds at work they are quite fascinating.

[Madelinew]

I'm with HanDiiMaNz on this. I have a female in my garden and worry about her if I haven't seen her in a while. A neighbour and I were talking about how we hadn't seen her for weeks when there was a commotion behind us and she emerged in pursuit of a pigeon. She has a feeding post in my garden where she often sits munching on a pigeon or collared dove and there was a year when she regularly picked off collared doves from a favourite roost of theirs. I took it as a good sign that she had a brood somewhere. Pigeons and doves breed prolifically around my garden and she has to live. I've never known her take a smaller bird and assume it's not worth her while.

Sparrowhawks are amazing hunters and don't always need a clear space (although having said they are amazing they do fail in most pursuits). I've seen footage of them running through undergrowth in pursuit of prey. The first I know of her presence is usually the aftermath because she is incredibly quick. I will be looking outside thinking how quiet the garden is and suddenly it erupts into a good impression of Piccadily Circus as all the birds flee the trees which heralds her presence.

My suggestion is to leave nature to take its course and learn to love and admire your sparrowhawk. They have enough to contend with in life.

[freefeet]

I'll add my vote to the sparrow hawk.

Anything that kills pigeons gets my vote.

[Dutchess]

Hi Norfolk Girl,

To save people going over old ground, can I point out that there have been two very recent threads on this very subject:


Visiting Sparrow Hawk

for those who want to stop sparrowhawk attacks in garden

'Hope this helps

D.

[James M]

I would agree with those above, it's great having a Sparrowhawk in your garden. The way I see it is that, the fact there is a Sparrowhawk around means there is a healthy population of song birds and the like so even if it does take a few there are always going to be lots more around, after all a predator like the Sparrowhawk never eliminates all of it's prey species, otherwise there would be nothing left for it to eat!

It all balances out in the end, so I would just enjoy seeing this fantastic bird paying you a visit.

[Norfolk Girl]

Thank you all for your replies. I think I am feeling particularly sensitive at the moment. I have had a death in the family and my sister is terminally ill, so I think my thoughts seem to be on one thing at the moment, if you see what I mean.

Thinking back many years ago the first cat I owned was always catching birds, but not always good at dispatching them, so I had to 'do the dirty deed'. If the sparrowhawk is as efficient as I am led to believe, then at least its catch is quick.

I read the link supplied by Dutchess - I didn't know sparrowhawks were persecuted by farmers and gamekeepers. What's the full story on that?

Many thanks for everyone's thoughts and I'll try to appreciate my visitor in the future

[Madelinew]

Sorry to hear that Norfolk Girl I hope watching your sparrowhawk brings you some joy through what must be a pretty rotten time.

[Steve_In_Cheshire]

[quote=Norfolk Girl;557876]I know they have to eat, as we all do, but I just don't like the idea of seeing one of these sparrowhawks taking one of my 'little feathered friends'. So at the moment, as soon as I spot one I scare it off.[quote]

I used to feel the same way, you live to learn with it as its just nature doing what nature does. What you need to remember is that the sparrowhawk needs to eat as well to survive, he/she is just doing what they are designed to do.

Its not nice to see any bird killed and its remains on the lawn but on the other hand its not nice to see another bird like a sparrowhawk struggling for food and struggling to survive, just enjoy nature is my advice, they are an amazing bird that you will appreciate in time. To be honest i feel honoured to have one in and around our garden.

[Madelinew]

I used to clear up any mess left on my lawn but I leave it now and the kids are quite realistic about the 'circle of life'. Any remains usually vanish within a day or 2 so the other wildlife in my garden is catered for too, particularly the foxes.