Sparrowhawk or Goshawk?

[ramidg]

There is a family of hawks in the garden this year that I thought was Sparrowhawk simply because I saw it hunting, it was a hawk, it flew through trees, and it caught other birds by surprise, the first occasion was directly above me as I sat with a cup of tea in the early evening, it flew into view then veered to its left and caught a small something from the tree about 10 feet above my head and flew off. Over the summer I have heard more than one bird calling and could detect at least three, two by the same sound but in different places, and a third slightly different pitch. I have seen three birds in the sky together on two occasions, once when prey was captured close to the home tree and the chick + male, or chicks, were both in on the action as the prey was caught , I think a blackbird. And once when the hunter returned with food to be met by the chick and there was another similar sized bird visible at the same time. One of the three is large, buzzard size. (I thought we had a buzzard hunting in the garden in the spring but now think it was the female of this family) I can hear one bird calling all the time, it used to be in the garden all the time, but is often now more distant but still audible, presume this to be the chick. The returning hunter will call on approach, the chick will fly to meet and the hunter drops the prey in mid air for the chick to catch. All the time I thought we had sparrow hawks until I decided to find out more about them and went here (British Garden Birds - Sparrowhawk) and listened to the call mp3. The birds we have do not make this call, the site records the similarity with the Goshawk so I listened to its call here (British Garden Birds - Goshawk) This is like the call we hear all the time. My question is do we have Goshawks in the garden, is the cry a definitive identifier, or might the juvenile Sparrowhawk sound similar? Are there Goshawks in this part of the world, Trent valley south of Derby? ("garden" is not the lawn next to the house, we have an adjoining field which I have cultivated as mixed broad leaf woodland for about 30 years now, I cannot see the nest from the ground, the centre of activity is in a mature ash which must be 20 feet or more girth at its base.) I saw the bird identifier after I posted so went to have a look, the Goshawk is definitely not a duck.

[Dogghound]

Can you get a photo, without knowing the wider area its hard to say. It could be either from your description. Although in general sparrowhawks are far more common, more likely to be in a garden. However they are a lot smaller than a buzzard. How experienced are you with sizing birds of prey? they can be quite misleading.

The calls are quite similar with goshawk being more slow calls with a larger gap between, sparrowhawk are more rapid and high pitched.

[ramidg]

My experience in sizing birds of prey is zero, other than perhaps seeing buzzards circling. I was convinced we had a sparrowhawk family until I listened to the calls on the british garden birds web site, it is only really the call that is the basis for my question. I will try for a photo but do not hold your breath, the family appear to have left the nest now although at least one is still within earshot.

[roystinho]

I imagine you're in a decent area for Goshawks, though you would have to be one of the luckiest people in the country to have them nesting in your 'garden', they're incredibly shy and a pain in the backside to even see usually

[ramidg]

Originally Posted by ramidg

I saw the bird identifier after I posted so went to have a look, the Goshawk is definitely not a duck.

Have just figured this out, there is no picture for any of the three birds in this row

[nikolai_avenger]

Depends where you are exactly in the Trent Valley south of Derby. Most Derbyshire goshawks are found 'up Derbyshire' but there are a couple of places I know of where they can be found in the southern part of the county 'in and around' the Trent Valley therefore it is not impossible that you have goshawk in your 'garden'.

If you wish to discuss further location details then by all means feel free to send me a private message or whatever.

Cheers. Nik.

[Acipiter]

Its very unlikely you have a goshawk in your garden, unless its the size of a "very large wood!!! Nik I would not tell ""anyone"" the location of a goshawks nesting site. Its not a very good idea, for obvious reasons.

[nikolai_avenger]

Originally Posted by Acipiter

I would not tell ""anyone"" the location of a goshawks nesting site. Its not a very good idea, for obvious reasons.

No worries on that score. To be honest I don't actually know any nesting sites as such, just areas where goshawks may be seen. I know 'the drill' about revealing the location of nest sites on an open forum or to 'anyone' and I heartily agree with that policy.

What I actually meant is for the OP (if they wanted) was to let me know their approximate location as I reckon they are probably quite local to me so this is of interest. .

Also check out the original post, where is it revealed that the poster has an adjoining wood where the birds in question are to be found.

Cheers. Nik.

[Acipiter]

Must be a very large wood Nik, all I can say if it is a goshawk, he is a very lucky boy regards Alan.

[nikolai_avenger]

Goshawk, sparrowhawk, I wouldn't mind either in my 'garden'. Lucky however you look at it.

Cheers. Nik.

PS. Just reading back to my first post on this subject, I have worded it terribly and I can see the reason for your concern Alan.