Sparrowhawk attack

[fairplay]

I can see both sides to the argument here, so I will not take sides with anyone, but I will point out that even the RSPB at Minsmere have well stocked feeders outside the coffee shop (presumably stocked all year round ?) for the visitors to see the birds close up - even pheasants !

Again, there are two ways of looking at this.

Neil.

EDIT: There may be a third reason - to sell more of their yummy carrot cake !

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by fairplay

I can see both sides to the argument here, so I will not take sides with anyone, but I will point out that even the RSPB at Minsmere have well stocked feeders outside the coffee shop (presumably stocked all year round ?) for the visitors to see the birds close up - even pheasants !

Again, there are two ways of looking at this.

Neil.

EDIT: There may be a third reason - to sell more of their yummy carrot cake !

You can hold difference of opinions without the character assassination in the previous posts.

[Meta menardi]

Interesting, Doggle's location is given as Outer Mongolia. Bet it is cold there.

I do like the photos, and Sparrow-hawks are very good at taking advantage of cover themselves, I have had one pass between me and the boss when we were talking in the yard, completely on one wing, small puff of feathers about 6 feet away, one less sparrow in the yard. Quite a sight to see, and a good dinner for the hawk.

[FUDGEY]

Some very sensible posts and thanks to all as I was wondering what I did to deserve such a verbal assault. Dogghound once again spells things out and gives a very balanced view. It is guys like him that make this forum worth visiting, he helped me graetly the other week regarding my feeding station and can I say here that since this advice was given no more Finches have been seen looking ill or found dead. Id just like to personally thank him here for this sound advice.
Im sure this poster has had several goes at me before and I dont know why, but looking through some of his history I see its probably not a personal thing as he has a habit of this sort of thing. Once again folks thanks to you all, Im not a bad guy and always help others as much as I can,

[rossy]

fudgey, doggie is a wind up merchant, as you have found out, if you look into just whats going on here is, how quick or how crafty sparrowhawks are, most people only see a flash as one passes through or over the garden, these as ive posted before, are very clever and weigh up locations, ie feeding stations or gardens where birds are fed by most of us, they have a keen eye, hence were the name hawk eye comes from. but your getting to see how agile they really are, ive seen them do things that i thought only bats would do, the manouvers have to be seen to be believed, and they change tactics, one female comes in just before day light some days, then it will appear midday or early evening, they are only doing whats natural , rossy.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

he helped me graetly the other week regarding my feeding station and can I say here that since this advice was given no more Finches have been seen looking ill or found dead. Id just like to personally thank him here for this sound advice.

Just seen this, Cheers Mate. Glad to have helped, its good to hear that you have had no more problems.

[AfternoonLemon]

Originally Posted by rossy

if you look into just whats going on here is, how quick or how crafty sparrowhawks are, most people only see a flash as one passes through or over the garden, these as ive posted before, are very clever and weigh up locations, ie feeding stations or gardens where birds are fed by most of us

I saw one in my garden earlier, I was stunned! I mean I go over to the window all the time to watch the blackbirds, tits and sparrows, which I did earlier... and at that exact moment, a Sparrowhawk flew across the garden, landed on the fence for about 10 seconds, and flew off again.

I've seen them from a distance and the photos on here (which are excellent by the way), but to see one at such a close range was fantastic!

I was only thinking the other day how I'd never seen so many birds in the garden at one time before, partly due to some active wildlife gardening this time last year, but I never in a million years expected to see a Sparrowhawk. Here's to more sightings