Thursday, 25 February 2016

Visit from a Sparrowhawk ...


Two amber eyes confronted me this afternoon as I peered out of the window.  


The male Sparrowhawk was back.


I believe this species is one of Chris Packham's favourites (and fine birds they are indeed), but my immediate concern was for the small birds that come to our garden to feed - the Long-tailed tits and Blue tits in particular. There is also a Wren, but (s)he keeps a very low profile.

The RSPB have a helpful section on their site for those like me who feel a certain ambivalence over the arrival at close quarters of a 'top predator'.


Sparrowhawks rarely hang around here for long and I was glad that my camera was to hand.


I was separated from the bird by our double glazing, 
so the photographs are not the best, but it is always good to have a record. 



I can't be entirely sure, but, unlike one of the Long-tailed tits,
I don't think this bird has been ringed.

This seems to be the time of year
when these birds of prey seem most likely to arrive in our garden.

I see previous visits were noted
on 5 March 2015 and 20th March 2013,
though I have also recorded sightings
in the months of May and July.

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6 comments:

  1. Crafty Green Poet25 February 2016 at 16:52

    Lovely photos of a very impressive bird! We see sparrowhawks a fair amount in central Edinburgh, though most of my sightings of them have been in the woodlands.

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  2. Kay Weeks25 February 2016 at 20:06

    I love this predator, and it makes me want to draw and paint!

    No such visitor here...Thanks, Caroline!


    Kay Weeks
    Ellicott City, MD

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  3. Bob Scotney26 February 2016 at 08:20

    Super photos. They are very active in our area too now.

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  4. Ragged Robin26 February 2016 at 11:31

    Great photos :) I haven't seen one yet this year in the garden but will be looking out for one now :)

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  5. Donna26 February 2016 at 15:14

    Fabulous...we have similar hawks here who are out hunting now.

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  6. Angie27 February 2016 at 17:21

    The sparrowhawks visit here too but I am never fast enough nor lucky enough to get pictures. Those birds can move when they have something in their sights.

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