Sparrowhawk attacks

[Acipiter]

I am only repeating what I have read in books concerning their speed Fugey, Like you I have know real way to verify this. You know how I feel about books in general, but that does not stop me buying them. Last year I saw The male fly in with a small bird for the hen, he came in to the wood "very low" probably about 2 feet from the ground, when he reached the tree that the hen was sitting in, I would say about 3 feet from the the tree, he did a ninety degree turn straight up verticality, I call it the helicopter trick, how about that for moveability. About the Ian newton book Fudgey, It is out of print, mine was when I brought it some years ago it cost me £40 then! but what's money when it comes to all things sparrowhawk. A manual for hawking by Liam o Broin is worth a read, as well as A hawk for the Bush, by Jack Mavrogordato. Both of these books are on falconry, but worth it if you are mad on sparrowhawks like me. Be warned they are quite expensive though.

Remember keep Dancing, I meant watching Alan.

[FUDGEY]

Haha Alan I will take that on board be great to see that helicopter manouvere! wow! I have just spoke to my friend and he actually knows Ian Newtown and he told me most of his study work was done in my area (Dumfries and Galloway) He also told me he is currently writing a new book on Sparrowhawks (he thinks) and he is going to email him to find out exactly what its about and then let me know. As soon as i know Ill let you know mate.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by Acipiter

.......About the Ian newton book Fudgey, It is out of print, mine was when I brought it some years ago it cost me £40 then!........

Fudgey, I've been quite successful in locating/buying out of print Natural History books and, in case you're interested, there's an e-bay seller currently offering "new, unread, unused" copies of Newton's Sparrowhawk monograph for £74.12 + P&P

He/she claims to have 10 available - shows the value of investing in good Natural History books

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

[FUDGEY]

Thanks so much Jeff, but is this not the ame one albeit a lot cheaper? Probably to good to be true

Amazon.co.uk: Newton's Sparrowhawk monograph

[Acipiter]

Thanks for that Fudgey, I can not wait. I will have to buy a whole stack of them, that's if Jeff does not beat me to it

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Thanks so much Jeff, but is this not the ame one albeit a lot cheaper? Probably to good to be true

Amazon.co.uk: Newton's Sparrowhawk monograph

Yes indeed it is Fudgey, but just 1 "new" and 1 "used" so get in quick!

Originally Posted by Acipiter

Thanks for that Fudgey, I can not wait. I will have to buy a whole stack of them, that's if Jeff does not beat me to it

I shan't be doing that - my Natural History library is already overflowing Hmmm, perhaps I should have a booksale

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

[rossy]

Originally Posted by JeffH

I take your point rossy but their intelligence, local knowledge and need to conserve energy apparently still leaves them with a very low strike rate when hunting, as others have indicated -







In the past week alone I've seen Sprawks outmanoeuvred by a Green Woodpecker and a Blackbird, with the latter escaping certain death by a full 'loop the loop' and my personal observations lead me to think that their aerial agilty is often matched (and even bettered) by some of their intended prey.

In our locality they seem to rely on the element of surprise (at speed) rather than anything else

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

yes bob on jeff , they dont have a great strike rate, and surprise is their forte, but on the other hand any weak birds or ill birds will be cleaned up, so what you see is fit and well birds , more than a match for the sprawks, and you will see some chases, misses, along the way,as we say its dog eat dog there , as in most cases, round here birds are on the lookout , and the alarm call goes , everything scatters, seconds later you know its not the postman coming , and sure enough the sprawk appears. rossy.