Whilst birding at Herringfleet Hills near Lowestoft on 7th October 2004. I observed a Hobby, Two Sparrowhawks & two Kestrels feeding on dragonflies along the tree line bordering the grazing marsh The Sparrowhawks tried to drive the Kestrels away but they stayed to enjoy the feast. Whilst observing this group & Peregrine flew amongst them for a few minutes before drifting off towards Haddiscoe.
BWP concise says that the diet of the Sparrowhawk is entirely birds but Dragonflies were defiantly the quarry in this case.
Sparrowhawk & Prey
It is common knowledge that Sparrowhawks take birds & habitually pigeons & doves. Whilst walking along the North Denes at Lowestoft on 7th October 2004 A Sparrowhawk (Female) plucked a Stock Dove from a Pine tree on the cliff, brought it to the ground & began plucking feathers from it’s back. The Dove was clearly still alive & I positioned myself in cover so I could observe at quite close quarters the feeding pattern of this graceful raptor. The predator continued plucking feathers until a dog walker disturbed it & it flew away. On my approach the Dove was still alive & was humanely dispatched by myself & left to the Magpies & Carrion Crows that had gathered to mob the Sparrowhawk in the first instance.
BWP concise says that the diet of the Sparrowhawk is entirely birds but Dragonflies were defiantly the quarry in this case.
Sparrowhawk & Prey
It is common knowledge that Sparrowhawks take birds & habitually pigeons & doves. Whilst walking along the North Denes at Lowestoft on 7th October 2004 A Sparrowhawk (Female) plucked a Stock Dove from a Pine tree on the cliff, brought it to the ground & began plucking feathers from it’s back. The Dove was clearly still alive & I positioned myself in cover so I could observe at quite close quarters the feeding pattern of this graceful raptor. The predator continued plucking feathers until a dog walker disturbed it & it flew away. On my approach the Dove was still alive & was humanely dispatched by myself & left to the Magpies & Carrion Crows that had gathered to mob the Sparrowhawk in the first instance.