help finding sparrowhawk

[spillergent]

hello lookin for my local sparrowhawk seen plenty of sign there is one in the area but carnt seem to track it might of seen it in flight but not shore
it was soring like a red kite would but then went it to a quick hover then dived i think this was a sparrowhawk any help or advice on tracking one down please

[aeshna5]

If it hovered it wasn't a Sparrowhawk; sounds more like a Kestrel.

Sparrrowhawks are very widespread these days so they are probably in your area.

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

If it hovered it wasn't a Sparrowhawk; sounds more like a Kestrel.

Sparrrowhawks are very widespread these days so they are probably in your area.

Not necessarily. I have seen both Sparrowhawks and buzzards hover just like a kestrel. The thing with the sparrowhawk was it was unable to hover seemingly motionless over a spot for very long unlike a kestal.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by spillergent

hello lookin for my local sparrowhawk ......... but carnt seem to track it......... any help or advice on tracking one down please

Precisely what do you mean by "track it"? Do you perhaps mean find its nest?
If so, why?

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[spillergent]

when i say track it i dont mean find its nest I just want to get a good look at one sorry i should of said find it i a keen wildlife photographer

[spillergent]

futher more i would never try or getting near a nest at this time off year as this is the most crushal time form some birds as they are with young what ever the birds are they dont need bothering by me so i was after more info on spoting one out hunting and jeff to asure you i know about secdule 1 bird and wound never try breakin the law i know of a kingfisher on my local patch but just love watching it dart up and down the river when walking my dog all though the mass of temptetion for most people would be to get a close look i am aware of it been secdule 1 so leave it alone with a darting pass every now and again are sparrowhawk on the secdule 1 list i have not seen them on there and how do u become a licence holder

[JeffH]

Thanks for the clarification as to your motives spillergent

In my view you'd have to be very lucky to track/find a Sparrowhawk, as opposed to stumbling across one. They are elusive, fast-flying birds and have relatively large territories.

They are also very alert and are very wary of human presence, so that even if you find one it's unlikely to hang around for a photograph!

We've had them visiting our garden on an almost daily basis for many years but all you usually get is a fleeting glimpse as one darts through the hedge or over a fence. They rarely hang around except when they've made a kill (and I find tell-tale piles of feathers around the garden at least twice weekly) and in all the years they've been visiting us I've only managed to photograph one twice.

And no, Sparrowhawks are not on the Schedule 1 list. As for how to become a licence holder, there's some information on this on my own website - here's a link to the relevant page - http://www.jeffharrisonphotography.co.uk/page5485.html

Incidentally, I believe there's a feature on one of the UK's foremost experts on Sparrowhawks in tonight's Springwatch and this may contain some information of assistance in your quest to see one. Good Luck

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls & Avocets)

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by wildherbalian85

Not necessarily. I have seen both Sparrowhawks and buzzards hover just like a kestrel. The thing with the sparrowhawk was it was unable to hover seemingly motionless over a spot for very long unlike a kestal.

I have seen Buzzards hover- but these are much larger than Kestrels. I regularly see Sparrowhawks (at least once a week , often more) + in all my years birding in UK + overseas I've never seen a Sparrowhawk hover in any fashion! It also isn't mentioned in the detailed work on the Sparrowhawk by Prof. Ian Newton. Sparrowhawks employ a range of hunting strategies, but hovering isn't amongst them to the best of my knowledge. Possibly you had a mis-identification?

[spillergent]

thank you jeff you have been most helpful really appreciate you anwser and thank you all for your comment so far

[ollyk]

Originally Posted by wildherbalian85

Not necessarily. I have seen both Sparrowhawks and buzzards hover just like a kestrel. The thing with the sparrowhawk was it was unable to hover seemingly motionless over a spot for very long unlike a kestal.

Yes I saw a buzzard do this a couple weeks ago! Couldn't believe my eyes!