Sparrowhawk Hunting

[tequilaskylark]

Hi
Im Beth and i am a University student. I am in my 3rd (final) year, and i have decided to write my dissertation on the 'threats and opportunities for Sparrowhawks'
I hope you don't mind me joining this forum, however any advice you can give me about Sparrowhawks is greatly appreciated. I have also created a questionnaire about Sparrowhawks hunting. I would really appreciate it if you would take the time to fill it out. Also if you know anyone else who has seen a Sparrowhawk hunting, please pass on my request.
Any help is massively appreciated!
Many Thanks
Beth

[RobS]

Beth, Professor Sparrowhawk (aka Accipter, yes it is spelt incorrectly) will be on here in a moment. I think he has done some research into their behaviour so I suspect he is a mine of information.

Rob S

[RobS]

Where's the questionnaire then?

[RobS]

Beth

You might consider contacting these people too:

Rare Bird Alert
Birdguides
Birding World

They might be able to help you as well as on here.

Regards

Rob S

[aeshna5]

I presume you're aware of Ian Newton's excellent monograph on the Sparrowhawk. If not essential reading!

[RKB]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I presume you're aware of Ian Newton's excellent monograph on the Sparrowhawk. If not essential reading!

That is all you need to read, and I'd use that as your core text. You're unlikely to get much more information on here, except for general public perceptions, and I'd avoid using non-scientific data in your dissertation.

For a wider perspective of attitudes, I suggest that you also try this forum:

A very warm welcome to Native Birds, their Mules and Hybrids. (an avicultural site, but they have problems with Sparrowhawks)

and also some shooting fora.

It would also be helpful if you told us what university and what course you're attending.

[RobS]

You're unlikely to get much more information on here, except for general public perceptions, and I'd avoid using non-scientific data in your dissertation.

Daily Mail?

Rob S

[diggleken]

[quote=RKB;683042]That is all you need to read, and I'd use that as your core text. You're unlikely to get much more information on here, except for general public perceptions, and I'd avoid using non-scientific data in your dissertation.
RKB, thats tosh and unfair to many WAB contributors - it depends what level of authority is delineated by a dissertation by setting out its parameters, which is, I agree, quite important in terms of desirable scientific acceptance - but for a dissertation, theres nothing wrong with anecdotal evidence to build a picture.
Indeed, that is how many scientific hypotheses are substantiated in general terms without long-haul fieldwork. Peter Scott and Charles Darwin spring to mind.
There are many contributors to WAB who are quite well versed in observation and as experienced birders too who's narrative stories should not be ignored.
Cheers
Ken

[RKB]

Originally Posted by diggleken

RKB, thats tosh and unfair to many WAB contributors - it depends what level of authority is delineated by a dissertation by setting out its parameters, which is, I agree, quite important in terms of desirable scientific acceptance - but for a dissertation, theres nothing wrong with anecdotal evidence to build a picture.
Indeed, that is how many scientific hypotheses are substantiated in general terms without long-haul fieldwork. Peter Scott and Charles Darwin spring to mind.
There are many contributors to WAB who are quite well versed in observation and as experienced birders too who's narrative stories should not be ignored.
Cheers
Ken

Well it depends on what the degree is, but WAB isn't a scientific forum and most members aren't scientists presenting data of a form that can be used in a study. For a scientific degree, the source data should be verifiable and reliable, and that means scientific journals and academic books. You're not going to get better information here than you will in Newton's book, that's obvious. Anecdote is different from scientific data, and you cannot "substantiate a hypothesis" with anecdotal evidence, only build one.

[tequilaskylark]

Hi

Thank you all so much for your replies!

Yes i have read Ian Newtons, The Sparrowhark and also a couple of his other books. They are great.

I'm not sure where to put the questionnaire? I can't find how to send it as an attachment, is there a way? If not i could send you a private message with it attached?

Thanks again for your help

Beth