Is it common to see two sparrowhawks which I can only assume where fighting in midair
the 1st one flew out of a tree at the bottom of the garden where we have some feeders and chased its prey over the roof tops only to return I assumed it was this one
whilst watching this one I spotted what I thought was another one higher up which swopped down at the 1st sparrowhawk which looked like it had a meal in its claws
then for what seemed like ages but was proberbly only a few minutes they where flying at each other in midair
must say I felt rather privlaged to be watching it
the sparrows and blackbirds where as quiet as mice
I said to the wife I could have drove miles to look for something like this and it was happening above our garden
HI Sparrowhawk
I think you have just seen something very special and feel it will stay with you forever....
A great moment.
Robert
Hi Sparrowhawk,
Like Robert says, something very special to witness, and thanks for telling us about it.
Wow, this must have been an amazing sight to witness. How did this spectacle end? It wouold be a bit late for a courtship display and possibly a bit too early to be an interaction between adult and juvenile.
I would not rule out it being two sparrowhawks fighting over a meal or even a territorial skirmish, however could one of the birds have been a kestrel? The kestrel is known to be capable of mid-air piracy of other bird of prey species. I remember seeing in the last few years reports of kestrels bombarding barn owls until they dropped their prey and we have seen reports of tangles between sparrowhawks and kestrels that have plummeted to the ground interlocked.
As a side note, If you are interested in reading more about the behaviours of the sparrowhawk i would recommend The Sparrowhawk by Ian Newton.
Hi gettingabuzz
You were very lucky to have seen either 2 sparrowhawks or one sparrowhawk and a kestrel having a mid-air skirmish. I would also have felt privileged to have watched it had I been there.Thanks for telling us about it. :-)