Sparrowhawks

[Red Squirrel]

The sparrowhawk has always amazed me not least because of it's ability to almost stop a swoop in mid air and change direction.

This was demonstrated to me the other morning when it drove it's prey into the side of the conservatory. In one smooth action, it changed direction, picked the bird up and flew away.

I set the camera on the tripod just in case it came back later.

It did but this time it drove it's prey into the kitchen window about 2ft from where I was sitting. The small bird bounced off the window and the hawk caught it in flight and turned from the window.

It was an incredible display of of agility. Had it gone wrong the hawk would have broken it's neck.

Unfortunately it happened too quickly for me to take a photograph.

Below, the terror of the garden preening and posing.

[faz]

must have been amazing to watch lucky you

[Deb London]

Fantastic shot! I'm envious that you get to see these in action on such a regular basis.

[aeshna5]

Excellent photo of this handsome bird!

[werdnal]

They are amazing, infact most birds of prey are so agile in flight its something to see.

However, even sparrowhawks get it wrong sometimes and they do hit windows themselves occasionally!

[Talonman]

Hi there,
Superb photo mate........i am priviledged to own a wide variety of birds of prey myself and will be realising my dream of owning my own centre from march this year,i already do alot of educational and conservation work and this will increase with the aid of the centre as a base.
Like yourself we frequently have a female sparrow hawk visit us in our garden and she has taken prey as large as collared doves and on one occasion attached herself to a rook but was thrown off and the rook got away,on a number of occasions i have been training my birds in our garden and have turned round to find the sparrowhawk sitting watching us perched on top of one of my aviarys,she will sit there for ages and occasionally if im carefull i can get quite close before she flys off.
Ive found that having my own birds in my garden that the wild population of birds of prey are very inquisitive and we also get visits from wild little owls,kestrels,buzzards and barn owls with the occasional red kite whafting by.

Chris

[Red Squirrel]

Thank you for the comments all.

Never a day goes by without me thinking how lucky I am to live here. I never take it for granted.

Perhaps you'd let us know when your centre opens Talonman. We love visiting your area.

Have motor home, will travel.

[sunnydale]

Originally Posted by Red Squirrel

Below, the terror of the garden preening and posing.

An excellent photo! I occasionally get to see our local Sprawk in action, as we have a healthy population of Sparrows around here.
Definitely a sight to see.

Tracey