[Closed] Sparrow Hawk in my garden.

I’ve tried, but it too far away for phone camera and I can’t get a decent shot through my binocular lens on my phone.

I’ll have another go, just for you.

😉

That’s all. Carry on.

Confused now. There was a crow as well?

Confused now. There was a crow as well?

🎩

I once watched a sparrowhawk flapping around on a garage roof with its claws in a magpie's neck. The magpie was too big for it so they were both rolling around in circles joined together, until they fell off the edge and the magpie escaped.

Edit. Well that’s a crap photo.

Jealous.com - occasionally see one flash through our garden, have come across what's left of a pigeon strike from time to time, but never had the pleasure of watching one eat.

My back's to the garden as I type - there's one behind me, isn't thete.... 🙁

Can you tell I’m bored?

No. How can you be bored with that going on in your garden?

What adds significantly to whether I have enjoyed a road ride is the sight of raptors, especially red kites soaring above the valleys of the North Downs.

Ernie

I’m “bored” because I’ve just had a knee arthroscopy and I’m confined to the sofa. Normally I wouldn’t have noticed being too busy to see the wonderful things that happen when you’re forced to slow down.

That's amazing! And that pic is definitely adequate! We occasionally get a buzzard soaring above our house, but always too far away for a picture.

I had one swoop through the birds in a tree in my garden last summer, couldn't believe how quick it moved while missing the branches. Didn't catch anything though.

Fun fact - the state that raptor is in, is thought to be the origin of the expression "fed up", when they're so full they can't really fly. ☺️

couldn’t believe how quick it moved while missing the branches.

Are you sure it wasn't a goshawk? They are apparently the masters of flying through woodland.

Black Swan in the lake by us today

https://twitter.com/ChrisKimberley/status/1493563770823929856?t=QHQCExp2nNxENacIkaVU8A&s=19

We had one go on a murderous spree in our garden last year. The pigeon was a right mess and then it did the same the following day in the neighbours garden too. Ended up using the hover mower to pick up the smaller remnants and feathers (not the carcass, I’m not that daft).

This is worth a watch

Sparrowhawks fly through trees like they aren't even there, I see alot flying through bridges and culverts when i am inspecting its always a case of "oh that WAS a sparrow hawk" rather than "oh look a sparrow hawk flying towards me, let's get my camera.

I've had exactly the same garden incident with a sparrow hawk but also owls..

I opened the door to y flat once a tawny owl on the railings opposide, less that 2m away did a full 180 headspin to give the dirtiest look then it flew off.

and once had a barn owl fall out of its nook under a bridge when i was inspecting it. A ghostly white apparition landing startled at your feet is a bit of a shock. It shat itself and flew off straight into a patch of tall thistles that it briefly got stuck in.

And it’s gone.

Although another pigeon is now playing sparrow hawk roulette. It’s wandering around the garden without a care in the world.

We watched a beautiful SH dismantle an unfortunate woodie within a couple of minutes in our garden. Proper urban location too, five miles from Manchester city centre!

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You lot are happily glorify the death of pigeons but when I mention the death of one ratty little squirrel, I get flamed and thrown to the wolves

Not me WCA - I've shot dozens of greys over the years and eaten them too. Carry on.

I’ve been lucky enough to witness this in my own garden a few times and also a few failed attempts. The silence is odd when a sparrow hawk is in the area. Gruesome yet fascinating sight.

I’ve shot dozens of greys over the years and eaten them too.

Are you Appalachian?

We had one last April, often seen the aftermath, had never seen them at it.

I’m “bored” because I’ve just had a knee arthroscopy and I’m confined to the sofa.

Well in that case I guess we'll forgive the state of your lawn. 🙂

A couple of years I got home to find a heron by the pond in our back garden with a massive fish sideways in its beak - took a few goes to swallow it and you could see the lump in its throat. We've never had fish in our pond, but a few years before that I got home to find one on the lawn - now I know how it got there.

i saw my first sparrowhawk last year when i was riding my bike.

it was at the side of the road having caught a pigeon.

i cycled past it not stopping as i didn't want to frighten it but was well chuffed to have seen it (rip pigeon)

There’s been feathered carnage here this morning.

I heard a bump sound from upstairs whilst I was watching the sparrow hawk, odd, I’m the only one in the house. Just stepped out of the back door to go to the shed and there’s a big pile of feathers on the yard. Very dark grey almost black. Nip upstairs and one of the back bedroom windows has an impact witness of liquid and feathers, over the window sill and all over the conservatory roof. Looks like pigeon.

I’m back downstairs now watching two magpies and three crows arguing over the remains of the pigeon the sparrow hawk left.

@thepurist

It not a lawn, it’s a clover, moss and dandelion re-wilding. And it’s February.

Sparrowhawk vs squirrel - that'd be great.

Yesterday I saw a picture of a bird of prey (possibly buzzard) taking a cat :0(

Cracking stuff. I had a small pile of feathers in the garden over the weekend, wondered if a sparrowhawk had paid a visit.  That or the neighbours cat 🙂

The sparrowhawks are too quick to get a photo - just a bomb burst of feathers as all the other birds flee is desperation - I was stood in the garden and one flew under my outstretched arm as I pointed it out to Mrs DB.

I was watching tv one afternoon as the cricket was on and I was covided up you see, and was alerted to a flicker of movement near the patio door, which turned into a large thud against said patio door, and then a blur of one bigger bird (possibly) flying off with another smaller bird (possibly) in its talons. I have no idea on the flavour of either bird and it was all over in a flash. The speed of it all was astonishing. We have a huge number of starlings (greedy, fighty, noisy gits but welcome nonetheless) visit our small garden, along with a couple of blackbirds and the occasional robin and other smaller (tit-like) birds. We also once had a grey squirrel on the small shed but that legged it the moment Mrs Fazzini moved to get a better look. So, what was this rambling tale about? I have no idea. But a bird, I think, may have caught another bird, I think, and flown away so fast it maybe didn't happen.

Enlightening tale fazzini. Perhaps a febrile hallucination?

That’s all. Carry on.

Confused now. There was a crow as well?

Can I just say that I don't think this post got the appreciation it deserved

I see one quite regularly in our garden. Normally know by the birds alerting each other. Annoyingly the one time I had the camera about and thought I'd taken some great photos it didn't have a memory card in.

@fanzini

. I have no idea on the flavour of either bird and it was all over in a flash. The speed of it all was astonishing.

Pterodactyl, 100%

Can I just say that I don’t think this post got the appreciation it deserved

+1 - especially in a thread about murdering birds.

Consider this quite to coup. Some people here only get to spy on cats pooing in their garden.

Pterodactyl, 100%

Sorry, they were flying reptiles, not dinosaurs like the sparrow hawk

+1 – especially in a thread about murdering birds.

Ha, I told my 7yo son the other day that a group of crows was called a murder and got the baffling yet hilarious response: "Murderers? Oh no, maybe they'll break into my kitchen and steal all the cheese!"

Cracking stuff. I had a small pile of feathers in the garden over the weekend, wondered if a sparrowhawk had paid a visit

A good guide is whether the feathers are whole or stuck together in broken clumps. The former being a bird of prey and the latter being a mammal of some description. Doesnt always work with secondary predation but is a starting point.
We have a sparrowhawk occasionally touring the garden. Havent seen it take anything myself but have seen the feathers and there was a pigeon which looked like it had just escaped. Was in the garden with a bunch of feathers missing from its back. Made me jump when it took off right in front of me.

Enlightening tale fazzini. Perhaps a febrile hallucination?

Glad you enjoyed @derek_starship - very possibly but I can attest that the cricket was quite fascinating at that moment in time, which probably explains a lot.

I would also like to think Pterodactyl.

Our local sparrowhawk seems to like draping the pigeon carcass over our the top of our fence as a little memento of its visit.............

I concur. The "carry on" "was there a crow as well" is a clever one.

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It’s a good job there were no baby robins around, that sparrow hawk would’ve soon scarpered

The Wife walked in from work just before 4. As I was telling her about the sparrow hawk it turned up again. Sat on the fence for a couple of minutes then flew off. It was looking for the remains of the pigeon. The crows or magpies must have moved it, there’s only feathers left now.

The magpies are sat in the large tree squawking like velociraptors.

A neighbour was bemoaning the fact that a sparrowhawk was taking little birds from his bird feeding station. I pointed out that what he inadvertently had was a sparrowhawk feeding station. I think he saw the funny side of the philosophy.

We have a sparrow hawk that strafes the garden every few days. One of my favourite birds. I do wish it would take out some of the magpies, jackdaws and crows though. But they're off the menu. There's a family of buzzards always circling in the distance. What's rather more worrying is the red kite that has taken to floating about 30ft above our chickens' compound. One of the hens is on watch duty at any time and they give a specific call that's different from other warnings. I guess it means 'look up, ladies'.

A neighbour was bemoaning the fact that a sparrowhawk was taking little birds from his bird feeding station. I pointed out that what he inadvertently had was a sparrowhawk feeding station. I think he saw the funny side of the philosophy.

I don't specifically feed small birds to attract predators - but I'm always aware it COULD happen... 😀

The benefits to working from home - massive bang at the window - me, the wife and eldest daughter all working at home, all emerge from separate rooms WTF was that - i go outside to check. One dead pigeon attached to one Hawk now having its brunch - not sure what type but was impressive.

ones always paying our garden a visit, got some long thick hedges so always lots of small birds about. last summer sat in the garden after work having a beer and all of a sudden lots of noise in the hedge only a few feet behind us, turned round just in time to see the sparrow hawk fly out with a small bird.

There's one in the park near our house. I've seen and heard it take magpies.

Here's the goshawk video I was thinking of:

This is great.

I was walking back to my car after work a few hours before you the OP posted and right in front of me a raptor (not likely a sparrowhawk in Oz) came out of the forest to my left, across my path less than 1m above the ground, picked out a smaller black bird that i'd not even seen was in the undergrowth and flew off with it. It all happened rather quickly i couldn't get enough to ID it.

A few years ago though I disturbed a Wedgetail Eagle on a bike ride and it flew off with a magpie in its talons. Amazing sight.

couldn’t believe how quick it moved while missing the branches

Loving this thread. Some amazing pics posted, ta!

From watching The Secret Lives of Pets (or something to that effect), on ITV earlier, one of the reasons they can manoeuvre through trees so effectively is because they have the ability to see into the ultra-violet range of the light spectrum. They have four cones for tetrachromatic colour vision, where we only have three. Totally fascinating IMO.

What’s rather more worrying is the red kite that has taken to floating about 30ft above our chickens’ compound.

Kites arent great predators but tend more towards carrion. Buzzards might fancy their chances or possibly even a female sparrowhawk but kites would be hoping the chicken keels over first.

There's a pair of short eared owls that hunt over the moors where I walk the dog. They really are a delight to watch, hunting voles over the adjoining pastureland and the white grass in a really graceful and delicate flight. They are there most afternoons, and often come within iPhone video range (my family may or may not be getting fed up with Dad's "here are the owls" videos)

A coupe of weeks ago my dog was sniffing around about 40 yards away from me and one decided to come over to investigate. I presume it spotted the movement of the labrador in the labrador-coloured grass, and divebombed her three or four times before deciding she wouldn't make a very good dinner.

They "stoop" from about five feet up, and then settle on a rock or tussock to gulp down their catch.

I had one swoop into my tree thats 2 metres from my window very early in the morning last year, the sparrows just popped higher up into the foliage out of reach, totally outsmarted the hawk and took the pss staying in the tree, Its only a small 7 or 8ft tree that produces white flowers, I was amazed at the speed it came in at almost horizontally as well, I thought it crash landed at first but it threaded through the branches like it was laser guided and the tree barely moved.

We have a Harris hawk knocking about, escaped a couple of years back from a falconry place and has managed to adapt and survive.
Also had a golden eagle that fly off from someone and was mooching about last week for a few days before that was captured.
Also sparrow hawks and owls kicking about, particularly if I drive out the back way from the village.
Loverly things to see.

Some precise (and quiet) flying

https://youtu.be/PzvuNoTVw-Q

Just had the pleasure of watching one for a good ten minutes. Even managed to get my Lumix out. This is about 15 yards away in next door's apple tree and taken through our bedroom window!

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I'm always wary of anyone who keeps a camera handy overlooking next doors garden.....

There’s a family of buzzards always circling in the distance. What’s rather more worrying is the red kite that has taken to floating about 30ft above our chickens’ compound. One of the hens is on watch duty at any time and they give a specific call that’s different from other warnings. I guess it means ‘look up, ladies’.

How big are your hens? We have a few ex bats and always have a few buzzards in the air above (we live in a rural area surrounded by fields). In 6 years we have never had a bird of prey attack our ladies.

one i photographed last week
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Had a load of feathers in the garden a few days ago. The lighter, more delicate white feathers that would be under the outer feathers. Presume from a pigeon eaten by a sparrowhawk, though none of the outer feathers around strangely. Gutted to have missed it. Hoovered the feathers up with a garden vac!

on ITV earlier, one of the reasons they can manoeuvre through trees so effectively is because they have the ability to see into the ultra-violet range of the light spectrum. They have four cones for tetrachromatic colour vision, where we only have three. Totally fascinating IMO

This makes no sense to me. The ability to see a different part of the spectrum doesn't change where the tree/branch/bush is, or how swiftly an animal can move around it. Is it because the hawk has better resolution eyesight for that environment, so is less likely to be confused by a blur of green?

Came home from work to find a sparrowhawk starting on a blackbird it had caught on my front lawn - gave a disgruntled screech at being interrupted and flew away to finish eating it elsewhere.

I was driving through the Peak one evening and come across a load of feathers blowing across the road. A quick look around found this beauty having her dinner.

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Stopped for 15 mins on a ride this weekend to watch a pair of buzzards near Prestolee / little lever. Watcimg them play with the wind was mesmerising, using it hold a completely static position. Differently to how a kestrel would, not so much a hover, more like showing off, surfing the wind and holding a freeze frame for few seconds.

Flashy Buzztards

Another woodpigeon dismantling workshop this lunchtime.

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And a short video:

Sparrowhawk

Giving you the evil eye

The carcass is still on the lawn. I suspect M. Reynard will be along later.

Joined the club last weekend (crappy zoomed-in iPhone photo, apologies 😂)
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Are you Appalachian?

As the song says "Elvis aint dead. . ."

I once saw a sparrowhawk standing over a dead pigeon in the garden. And a second pigeon next to it, fending it off. A proper stand off. Every time the sparrowhawk moved towards the dead one, the live one struck out at it. Eventually the hawk gave up and flew off

I supposed in the air the hawk is superior but on the ground it's more evenly matched

Changed my view of pigeons. Looked like it was defending the body of its mate, or friend. Achilles and Patroclus. I hope that's what it was doing. Very sad though.