I have no birds in my garden at the moment as I have a pair of sparrow hawk in my tree!
Wasn't quick enough to get photo's, hoping they will be back.
they have had tree kills in my garden, a pigieon, blakbird, not sure what the other one was.
there is one good thing that happens after the kill the feathers are all snapped very quick by other birds.
I have not seen the kill just the aftermath of it.
Hey farmer, farmer, put away the D.D.T now. Give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees, please!
Hi Janet,
Are they a male and a female? I do hope they aren't planning on making a nest in your tree - you would end up with no other birds!
I haven't seen my sparrowhawk since about August. I saw her 4 times, only successful once when she grabbed a sparrow and flew off. I've never seen one land.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
I know its exciting Janet, but you want to hope they don't come back, especially a pair. We have a resident one named Florence and when she is about we get no birds whatsoever for days after. Its usually the blackbirds that raise the alarm, but the poor little finches are terrified
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Susan H said:Are they a male and a female? I do hope they aren't planning on making a nest in your tree - you would end up with no other birds!
I don't know if they was male and female, I don't know how to tell them apart, not sure if two males would be together.
so its not a good thing to have them near, ok I see what it would do to my feeders. not much I can do if they chose to live here.
Janet, the male is smaller than the female and is only jackdaw size.
you could always check the RSPB identifier to see if you have a male and a female http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/sparrowhawk/index.aspx#
I'd be be of mixed feelings if I had a pair nesting in my garden, they're a beautiful bird and deserve to nest and raise a brood as much as the next bird - but you'll have no other birds as they'll be terrified!
Do you have a large garden? If you don't mind me asking. You may be having to rethink your feeder arrangements so the small birds can eat safely :o)
not sure if they were sparrow hawks now I thought they was both brown. ?!?
About the size of a rook spotted brown chest
The female is brown , here's a photo of 'my' Sparrowhawk:
The male is smaller and a blue colour with a rusty underside (that's my basic way of describing it, sorry). This is the best photo of a male I have got:
Unknown said:Do you have a large garden? If you don't mind me asking. You may be having to rethink your feeder arrangements so the small birds can eat safely :o)
I think its about 65ft X 30ft appox, I have trees at end of garden, and a lovely dead tree covered in ivy, fir trees all up one side. View from my door. note not many feeders on tree then, November 2009
I wish I could of got a photo, it could be a sparrow hawk, I have seen the male in my garden, didn't seem to be that white fronted on the other one. they have been here before so odds are they will be back, have to keep a watch out for them, try to get photos
Not a great pic I know but this is the male that is regularly in my garden at the moment.