sparrowhawk

[angkaz]

Around xmas time we spotted a sparrowhawk for the first time in our garden we live in sutton in surrey so not out in the sticks so very surprised to see one.We have lots of birds visiting happlily feeding but today we saw the sparrowhawk on the fence ,i thought it was to fly off ,but of course it saw its dinner in the bush ,it went to go in the bush what i think was a starling flew out and the speed the hawk flew off was amazing and twisting itself to get its prey , the prey only got a couple of gardens away as we heard it then a few moments later we saw it fly off with the prey and it was such an amazing thing to see

[aeshna5]

They are pretty much found in most places including city centres- they are not uncommon in central London for instance; often hunting over roof tops as they use hedges + taking birds by surprise.

The return of the Sparrowhawk has been one of the great success stories of the last couple of decades or so, since their massive decline due to now banned organo-chlorine pesticides.

One of my favourite birds which always gives me a thrill to see.

[John]

One of my favourite birds to. Sadly I have not seen one in my garden for the last 4 months but prior to that I had them regularly in my garden.

Here are a couple of photos taken in my garden.





John

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by angkaz

Around xmas time we spotted a sparrowhawk for the first time in our garden we live in sutton in surrey so not out in the sticks so very surprised to see one.We have lots of birds visiting happlily feeding but today we saw the sparrowhawk on the fence ,i thought it was to fly off ,but of course it saw its dinner in the bush ,it went to go in the bush what i think was a starling flew out and the speed the hawk flew off was amazing and twisting itself to get its prey , the prey only got a couple of gardens away as we heard it then a few moments later we saw it fly off with the prey and it was such an amazing thing to see

Welcome to WAB angkaz!

That must have been a thrilling and very unexpected sight for you! They are always a great bird to see. I know they are widespread, as aeshna5 has said, but I still think it's terrific that people can see them in their gardens.

[SheffieldLass]

I have a male sparrowhawk regularly in my garden, and today a female, at least twice. She sat on one of the hedges, first visit, then in a small birch on the second. The blackbirds, tree sparrows, chaffinches and other finches kept their heads very low. But the blue tits, great tits and coal tits were out and about, even flying to the seed feeder just a few metres from where she was sat. I was a bit surprised by this behaviour, it happened on both visits, but when the male is in the tits also keep their heads well down. I can only presume that the tits know they are faster or more manoeverable than her, and maybe also not her favoured prey.

I also had to laugh as she sat on the ground for a while, just feet away from 2 pheasants, who paused their eating to stare very pointedly at her. Would have made a great photo. With the male they just continue to eat, take no notice whatsoever.

Here I've never seen the male or female sparrowhawks pursue birds that are in the hedges, and there are plenty in there. If their surprise attack is not successful they (well the male in particular) may sit for a short while on the ground, and then only if he's plummeted almost into the hedge and not swerved off just before. But then he gives up and flies off.

[2dogs2000]

All went quiet in my garden today. I looked out and there was a male sparrow hawk on the fence. He hasn't been around for a few months. Think he left empty handed though.