I got a new visitor to my garden this morning. It sat at the top of the tree for almost 40 mins. I took several photos but couldn't get very near so I'm sorry its a bit blurred due to zoom. I've posted the one with a (crow?) sitting on the same tree to give you an idea of size. Unfortunately I missed the shot of it flying away but it looked a sort of light chestnut colour and flew down away from me. Also had 8 longtailed tits (I think) this morning.
Hi Cuddicat
I would say it's a kestrel and not a sparrowhawk. These are the birds that you often see hovering alongside motorways when they are hunting for prey.
I think it's a male judging by the grey head crown.
Nice to have long tailed tits in the garden.
Hope this helps
Tony
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Hi again
I should have said that it is a really good bird to see in the garden. Unlike sparrowhawks they do not normally prey on garden birds so although your birds were probably alarmed by it they were probably not in much danger. The normal diet of kestrels is small rodents which is why they hover above open fields.
Here's a photo of a kestrel I took last December so you can get a good look at one. Beautiful bird.
Regards
Hi Cuddicat,
what you saw was a Kestrel - and for me personally to see a bird like a Kestrel in or near the garden would be more exciting than if it were a Sparrowhawk! Like TeeJay has said, they're not normally associated with gardens and are the typical side-of-the-motorway bird.
Although I did see a photo on Flickr last night of a male who'd caught a male Blackbird in someone's garden. If I can find it again I'll post the link.
Unknown said:Although I did see a photo on Flickr last night of a male who'd caught a male Blackbird in someone's garden. If I can find it again I'll post the link.
Interesting Paul - I should like to see that.
I suppose that like many other birds if their normal diet is affected by severe weather conditions they will seek prey elsewhere even in gardens. I seem to remember,also, on Springwatch a pair of nesting Kestrels were catching little ringed plover chicks to feed to their young.
TJ
Here is one of the photos, the lady took about 6:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaynie25/4259955310/
The weather seems to change the behaviour of the birds doesn't it. I don't know if many more people ave experienced Kestrels becoming garden hunters in a Sparrowhawk manner though.
Wow, what a cracking set of photos. Thanks for the link, Paul. Wish I could take photos as good as that.
It just goes to show that one shouldn't have preconceived ideas about bird behaviour. They need to be opportunistic especially in harsh conditions.
Thanks for that link Paul, what a wonderful photograph.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Yes exactly TeeJay, I'd have never imagined a Kestrel catching and killing a Blackbird! But it goes to show it is possible.
I find the groups etc fascinating to explore of Flickr - you never know what you'll turn up :o)
Thanks TeeJay I wish my picture was as clear as that. I think you are right looking at my other pictures I can see some of the markings. I hope he stays around and kills some of the rodents. We are next to farmland and I also keep rabbits and guineapigs so we have our share of furry friends.
Looks like a jackdaw next to the male kestrel in your tree.
Kestrels will also eat frogs and as said above they will also eat small birds.
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