sparrowhawk

[Rockin Robin]

today i was filling mu bird feeders up when out of my neighbours garden flew a sparrowhawk with a collared dove in it's talons. I think it was one of the pair that live in the tall conifer in my neighbours garden. What a shame as i was hoping they'd breath and i would see the chicks in the spring when they hatched:mad: :mad:

[Sahbster]

Funnily enough, although not funny.

Last week I watched a Sparrowhawk devour a starling. Was interesting to watch but a bit gruesome.

It was the only starling I had in the garden and the only bird to eat the 'suet treat' I had put out.

Even more strange is since then I have had more starlings in the garden than ever, six in one sitting. Only been in the bungalow for two months and was puzzled as to the lack of starlings and sparrow. We only lived 3 miles away from where we are now but all we had in the garden there were sparrows and starlings.

Also today had seven magpies in at one sitting who were totally oblivious to the 2 squirrels playing tag around the apple tree and bird table.

Think I just have to get used to the new garden and see what turns up through the year. It is the new garden that has got me into 'twitching'. As we only had sparrows and starlings in our previous garden, to see goldfinches, greenfinches, blue tits, great tits, chaffinches, dunnock, wren and robin in the new one was a huge surprise.

Please accept my apologies for waffling, got a bit carried away there :o

[Shamal]

I don't mind seeing a bird of prey take another bird, it's a wonderful sight seeing wildlife in action like that and brings a bit of real nature to our gardens rather than having them as a sterile safe areas.

No offence but to me, the loss of a Collared Dove is far better than the loss of one of our traditional native songbirds. Collared Doves have turned into a problem bird since their arrival in the 50's.