"Nature red in tooth and claw"

[crafters_corner_2]

Tennyson's words couldn't have been more appropriate yesterday when a huge sparrow hawk swooped down and killed a beautiful blackbird.
It was too late to save it - after ten minutes or so, there was absolutely nothing left apart from one or two feathers which a magpie took a liking to
There is a notable absence of birds from the garden this morning

[lejoueurdepipeau]

It's hard - but an amazing sight to see a sparrow hawk swoop. Last year one took a chick from one of next door's hens. The poor hen ran after it as it whooshed over my head with the chick in its claws but couldn't get off the ground! I was worried that it might be back for the other four chicks but she raised all those without a problem.

[crafters_corner_2]

It's hard - but an amazing sight to see a sparrow hawk swoop. Last year one took a chick from one of next door's hens. The poor hen ran after it as it whooshed over my head with the chick in its claws but couldn't get off the ground! I was worried that it might be back for the other four chicks but she raised all those without a problem.

This one was big enough to take the hen!

[redmerlin777]

We have a crafty Sparrowhawk that has made our gardens at front and back of our terrace HIS territory.

Sparrowhawks are beautiful and they help to keep the balance of nature.
Blackbirds are very successful breeders often having two or three broods a year. They are just the right size for a Sparrowhawk's meal.
Sparrowhawks are also not averse to taking out a slow or weaker pigeon.

Your birds will be back. Listen to the blackbird's alarm calls. Then listen for the quiet "Wheeeeee" Piping sound they make. That means Keep still! Hawk sitting nearby".
All birds make these communications using different calls. Part of the joy of watching birds is getting to understand how they "Talk " to each other.

This is quite an interesting link.

http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/blackbird.htm

[crafters_corner_2]

Hi Redmerlin,

You keep that sparrowhawk just where he is, thank you

I would absolutely hate one to take up residence in our garden - the fox causes enough mayhem among the pigeons.

The birds WILL be back and it has been a fabulous year for goldfinches and redwings in our garden. The local heron visists regularly in spite of there being no fish left in any of the garden ponds around here! We are very near to the plantation where her normally lives so I think the pond must be frozen.

Snowing again

[HerMajesty]

Thanks for the link - interesting site!! I love songbirds, and raptors are amazing, too. Each has its place in the cycle and food chain, and each is beautiful.

[HerMajesty]

Snowed here last night - big slushy snow - now it's just fogg - and the birds are eating like crazy. I bought some bird food from an Ebidder - and the birds absolutely LOVE it!!! Amazingly good for the little ones!!!!

[crafters_corner_2]

Good morning, Hermaj

Horrific pictures of thousands of dead birds in the press this morning.
They - meaning the scientists - are mystified as to the cause but say fireworks are a possibility.
Unless they are using a new chemical in fireworks, I would have thought it highly unlikely.

[ChameleonSystems]

A beautiful sight, seeing a sparrowhawk. We have one near us. There is plenty for it to feed on. We have a competition to see just how many blackbirds can fit into a 30' square patch (containing a crab apple tree), you would be amazed!

You are aware that magpies take small birds too?

We always feed our garden birds because we keep hens and geese. So a small proportion of the wheat, bread, etc is eaten by the wildlife (except rats, they get shot). In the snow recently we even had the wading birds in the garden seeking refuge and food. Its well worth it!

[crafters_corner_2]

A beautiful sight, seeing a sparrowhawk. We have one near us. There is plenty for it to feed on. We have a competition to see just how many blackbirds can fit into a 30' square patch (containing a crab apple tree), you would be amazed!

You are aware that magpies take small birds too?

We always feed our garden birds because we keep hens and geese. So a small proportion of the wheat, bread, etc is eaten by the wildlife (except rats, they get shot). In the snow recently we even had the wading birds in the garden seeking refuge and food. Its well worth it!

We have lots of magpies and have seen them eating their 'kill'. Not nice, but they have to eat.

Our large apple tree is a great feeding station - we hang loads of different feeders from the branches and always leave the top apples on for the blackbirds.

Will have to get used to the sparrowhawk, I guess.