Sparrowhawk kill (not for the squeamish)

[PorkScratching]

We were lucky (unlike the pigeon) to see this female sparrowhawk just outside our kitchen doors this afternoon:


Sparrowhawk kill by Nick Challoner, on Flickr


Sparrowhawk kill by Nick Challoner, on Flickr

I did have the privilege of seeing a male with a kill last year, in his stunning plumage and with deep orange eyes, but sadly he was between me and the house so no way to grab my camera.

[andygolfer]

very well caught Nick - just like the pigeon. Sometimes it looks cruel but that's nature for you.

We get sparrowhawks flying through our garden sometimes watching for an opportunity and have seen a couple of kills in our garden, tow years ago I was doing the RSPB birdwatch count and one decided to land on the fence after 15 minutes or so and hung around for 1/2 hour or so, needless to say I didn't get many more birds after that - was a nice sight though.

Looks like the paving will need a clean up though

thanks for posting it
Andy