[Julian Bell]

I have finally found the time to upload a series of images from an epic struggle between a Sparrowhawk and a Magpie.

The struggle took ages and attracted the attention of other local residents. One lady asked me why I didn't try and save the Magpie - I said I let nature take its course but in fact that there is every possibilty the Magpie would have got away had I not stopped to take photos - the other corvids mobbing (helping?) cleared off when I stopped.

Hmmmm....

For the whole series see this page.

[fugl]

Great series of photos. On this side of the water, the Cooper's Hawk--the local equivalent to your Sparrowhawk--has the same grisly habit of plucking & eating living prey, something I've witnessed on a couple of occasions. Both times the prey were big birds (California Quail, Mourning Dove) like your magpie & struggled long & hard as the hawk kneaded their bodies with its claws seeking a killing grip. It was a hard thing to watch, but for one reason or another I didn't intervene.