An unexpected visitor (69/365)

[white_hart]

I glanced out of the window in passing earlier, did a double-take and shouted to T to ask him to bring me my camera, because there was a sparrowhawk sitting on the fence.



It stayed for a few minutes, until one of the local cats came sauntering along the top of the block of garages at the end of the gardens, spotted it and showed distinct signs of thinking about leaping down from the garages to catch it. I'm not entirely convinced the cat would have come off best in that altercation, but the sparrowhawk clearly decided that discretion was the better part of valour and flew off, leaving a disgruntled-looking cat behind.

Comments

[callmemadam]

I'm glad you got a photo!

That's an interesting story because a friend of mine, living in Hastings, was very excited recently because they'd seen what they thought was a sparrowhawk sitting on *their* fence. Is this some new behaviour of sparrowhawks? Lack of prey elsewhere leading them to gardens? Curious.

[white_hart]

The RSPB website says it's not uncommon to see them in gardens. Perhaps people are at home more to see them in lockdown? Or maybe there has been an increase in the number of bird feeders which is attracting them to gardens?

[perennialanna]

My parents had a regular one in their Surrey urban garden 15-20 years ago. They had a hedge which was full of mice and sparrows, and the sparrowhawk would works its way up and down it. Mum used to go out to chase it away.

[white_hart]

My parents have one that perches on the hedge near their bird feeders, but they are in rural Norfolk so that's not really surprising.