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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ChrisKten" data-source="post: 1356024" data-attributes="member: 69033">You are lucky, I've only seen a Goldfinch once in the garden this year.I'd better mention that, within about an hour and a half of my posting about the Chaffinch, I had another visit from one of the female Sparrowhawks. I guess it's good to say I've seen it, but it wasn't a pleasant experience really.Just before 10 in the morning I heard a Starling screeching, it's one of those noises that is obviously a bird in distress. I looked out of the window to see the Sparrowhawk with her talons in the Starling while the Starling thrashed about. The Hawk was all over the garden trying to restrain the Starling while it fought and  attempted to escape.After about 5 minutes all was quiet and the Sparrowhawk began eating her meal, that was now dead. At least I though it was dead, ten minutes later the screeching started again, and the partially eaten Starling was fighting again. The Sparrowhawk covered the Starling with one of her wings to stop it escaping and continued eating, a few minutes later all was quiet again.She took 2 and a half hours to eat the Starling, in what appears to be a favourite spot, at the back of the garden under one of the trees.I know that it's nature, and I know I mustn't interfere, but on this occasion doing nothing was very difficult and quite unpleasant. Still, if I provide food for the Birds the Sparrowhawk shouldn't be an exception. As I said, very unpleasant just sitting on my hands watching. But at least I let the Sparrowhawk have her hard earned meal. I guess in time I'll start to feel less guilty about doing nothing.<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></blockquote>

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