A male sparrowhawk was perched above our feeders this morning. Around 30 finches, which included a female brambling, were present. They seemed to be aware of the presence of the sparrowhawk and flew off into some nearby trees. For some reason the birds returned a couple of minutes later and sat in a hawthorn bush about 15 feet away from the sparrowhawk. After a couple of minutes the sparrowhawk flew into the hawthorn bush and caught a greenfinch. This sparrowhawk as now caught at least 3 birds at our feeders. The other 2 were a goldfinch and an unidentified bird. Other birds seen at our feeders so far are as follows
woodpigeon - 2
collared dove - 3
feral pigeon - 10
great spotted woodpecker - 2m & 1 f
jackdaw - 6
magpie - 2
jay - 1
robin - 1
blackbird - 1
dunnock - 1
wren - 1
blue tit - 4
great tit - 4
coal tit - 2
starling - 4
house sparrow - c15
chaffinch -12 min
greenfinch - 12 min
goldfinch - 20 - 30
bullfinch - 3
this morning 2 song thrush were singing in Trickett's Memorial Grounds
cheers Kevin
-- Edited by KEVIN LISTER on Saturday 29th of November 2014 09:14:10 AM
-- Edited by KEVIN LISTER on Saturday 29th of November 2014 12:01:40 PM
-- Edited by KEVIN LISTER on Saturday 29th of November 2014 01:09:07 PM
I've not noticed any signs of disease as yet. I think the bird that was caught was just unlucky. The sparrowhawk was just too quick for it. It is only the second time I have actually seen a sparrowhawk actually catch anything. They normally just charge through the feeding station and miss everything, then wait for an hour or so before flying off. This bird seems to wait at the feeders for the birds to appear and then bides his time until it thinks it has a good chance of making a kill. I think it also comes for a few days and then goes somewhere else. The feeders have just started emptying a bit more in the last few days, suggesting the sparrowhawk hasn't been around. In the time since the attack this morning hardly any of the food has gone from the feeders.
The male sparrowhawk caught and ate unidentified prey this morning at our feeders. The bird returned later in the afternoon but didn't take anything. A collection of pigeon feathers suggests that a feral pigeon has been attacked recently as well
Male brambling present this morning. The bird has a ring on the right leg. The male sparrowhawk is still a regular visitor. Yesterday it made a failed attempt to take a chaffinch.
