Garden Sparrowhawk photographed at last.

[John]

I have done no birding whatsoever this weekend. I have nbeen looking out into the garden from time to time to see if the Blackcap comes back but as yet it hasn't.

Imagine my surprise around 15:50 this afternoon when I looked out onto my back garden. There, sitting on one of my feeder stations, was a cracking male Sparrowhawk. My camera was in the other room so I rushed to get it, thinking that by the time I came back it would have gone, but it hadn't. There was no way I was going outside, or open any windows, so these shots are through the window.

I am well pleased as I have never photographed a Sparrowhawk anywhere before today.









It had only just finished raining (as you can see from a few drops hanging onto the branches) and the sky was still very dark so I was surprised they came out as good as they have. This DSLR set up of mine never ceases to amaze me.

John

[Kayleigh]

Fantastic John. I have just seen this in the Gallery. What a shot .I took some frogs today, Im pleased with, nothing like this though. WELL DONE

I like the way they just sit on the bird feeders expecting a meal to come to them.

[Barbara]

John, well done, super Sparrowhawk pics. I just love the colour of the eyes, superb detail actually superb in everyway. This day will live with you forever
Babs

PS I just read that you took these through your window, you must have employed a very good window cleaner

[Elizabeth B]

Well captured John!

Sparrowhawk visits have become rather more frequent in our garden recently, but while I can admire these birds I cannot honestly say that I'm pleased to see them here. (OK -I'm a NIMBY)!!!

[John]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth B

Well captured John!

Sparrowhawk visits have become rather more frequent in our garden recently, but while I can admire these birds I cannot honestly say that I'm pleased to see them here. (OK -I'm a NIMBY)!!!

I know what you mean Elizabeth but I have long since come to terms with one of natures ways of controlling bird numbers.

John

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by John

I know what you mean Elizabeth but I have long since come to terms with one of natures ways of controlling bird numbers.

John

Yes, I can understand this - but how would you feel if you had to watch chicks die in your camera equipped nestbox, because the female had been taken by a sparrowhawk? (Fortunately this has not happened to us - so far).

I also have to come to terms with the fact that by offering a variety of food, I may be boosting the numbers of collared doves, greenfinches, goldfinches, siskins and the tit family etc etc - thereby providing food for the sparrowhawks.

[aeshna5]

Good one John- I had a male like that in my garden this morning. A couple of days back I managed to get some decent shots of an immature Sparrowhawk just by the kitchen window- I haven't got any fancy lens, so birds have to be either large or fairly close to get decent shots!

Given how many amazing pictures you've taken I was surprised this was your first, but I'm sure worth the wait!

[John]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Good one John- I had a male like that in my garden this morning. A couple of days back I managed to get some decent shots of an immature Sparrowhawk just by the kitchen window- I haven't got any fancy lens, so birds have to be either large or fairly close to get decent shots!

Given how many amazing pictures you've taken I was surprised this was your first, but I'm sure worth the wait!

I once had an even better chance a few years ago at Upton Warren. I had forgotten to put my digiscoping camera in my bag (where have I heard that before ). We arrived at the hide at the feeder station on the flashes and, you've guessed it, there was a cracking male Sparrowhawk about thirty feet away, on a branch, out in the open.

The thing is it stayed there for over an hour. I can only imagine the quality of photos I would have got if only I had packed that camera.

John

[cherrybee]

Lovely photos John and through the window too wonderful.If I was to take photos through the window it would show the grand children's chocolate covered fingerprints

[glsammy]

That's your Male and my Female, both firsts and in the same week! Not bad going! Well done Mate.