Sparrow hawk or Merlin in garden on Dartmoor, UK (1 Viewer)

[MathsMum]

This bird has visited our garden a few times. Tonight it has just caught a its dinner (either starling, blackbird or young Jackdaw-am unable to tell from a distance).
Previously thought it was a Merlin now think it may be a Sparrow hawk.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi MathsMum and welcome to BirdForum from all the staff and moderators. Nice Sparrowhawk you have there.

Rich

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

male sparrowhawk indeed

 

[Richard Prior]

Welcome to Birdforum MM!
It is indeed a Sparrowhawk, they are expert at catching birds in gardens!!

 

[KC Foggin]

Sparrowhawk

 

[MathsMum]

Excellent thank you. He was great to watch. The way he protected his catch from about a dozen jackdaws was great. They were making so much noise! Once they gave up and left there was a small but noisy chaffinch who acted like a sentry until the sparrow hawk had eaten its fill and flown off with the remainder of his catch.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum! I am sure that you will find lots to interest you here and I hope that you enjoy your visits.

 

[delia todd]

Hi MathsMum and a warm welcome from me too.

Yes, such a typical sparrowhawk pose that. Usually all I see of them is a quick dash past with the small birds flying everywhere! A couple of times a young one has sat on the shed roof looking around wondering where everything had gone. And once one flew into my window. Unharmed, flew off again shortly after.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I hope to hear about all the birds you see when out and about.