Garden Worrier

Feeders were deserted this morning, quite eery with the mist rolling over the fields. Then I spotted this male Sparrowhawk on the fence, before he spotted me.

Plucked for Free!

Crime Scene

A smart male Sparrowhawk took out a pigeon by my office window today and I watched as it plucked and feasted on the carcass. Unfortunately my camera was in the car. When I eventually retrieved it these two opportunist Magpies had arrived.

The only birds of prey I usually see here are Harris Hawks employed by the local business park to scare the pigeons away. Save your money!

Prestwick Carr 20/04

68 Golden Plover in full breeding plumage, 6 Wheatears, 2 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk and a Willow Warbler for a year tick.

And, rather surprisingly one of these...........

A week tick!

Golden Plover in breeding plumage (still grabbed from video)

Nine for Hell

In Druridge Pools blog yesterday the issue of Magpie control was raised which led me to unearth a couple of videos showing how nature's own pest controllers, Sparrowhawks, deal with Magpies.

Not for the faint hearted!





Yesterday I had a Sparrowhawk in my garden. Today I have Magpies nest building. I see trouble ahead!

Further Reading

Why are magpies so often hated?