Nature in the raw in your garden

[burnhal]

Just had an exciting event in the garden- a sparrowhawk took a collared dove on the patio about six feet from the window. There is nothing left but a pile of feathers now- eaten the lot. Any exciting events down your way?

[shaneystar]

We had one last year that got a starling ..all that was left was the beak!
My sparrows have deserted me for all the berries that are about at the moment.Little terns breeding programme was not much of a success this year on the north beach here in Great Yarmouth.I was wondering if this huge great windfarm they have just put into operation off the Scroby Sands could have anything to with it.

[mycatis]

A few weeks ago I had 2 dragonflies mating on my living room window.  One of them was getting dragged up the glass upside down!  I'm sure it was terribly pleased to have my son and I staring intently, 4cm away from it, as this happened. Er sorry nothing got killed or eaten in my story

[Robinia]

I found a trail of collared dove feathers too last week burnhal. I'd seen the sparrowhawk the day before - the closest I've been to one was about 6 feet when there was one next door with it's wings fanned out around it's prey. An amazing sight - but not for the victim!  We have an abundance of doves at the moment - obviously they've learned how to build a nest that doesn't let the eggs fall through! I can see exactly a dozen at this moment!

Yesterday I tried to count the sparrows - there must have been betweeen 30 & 40 but they keep bobbing in & out of the hedge!

The blackbirds are still keeping a low profile - they do that at this time of year don't they?  I daresay they'll be banging their beaks for some currants before long &  Robin has already been to check out his winter prospects! 

[andyjevs]

A couple of hummingbird hawk moths have been hanging around the garden i work in feeding exclusively on Abelia Grandiflora. Fascinating little moths that are exact miniatures of hummingbirds and are becoming more popular in the south UK as they move north from central Europe.

[Robinia]

Wow, they certainly are fascinating andy - Did a google & found a link for anyone who, like me, didn't know about them..here

[Cetti]

I've just had to google Abelia Grandiflora as I didn't have a clue what it was.  What a gorgeous plant andy -  no wonder they love it. Haven't seen any HB moths for a couple of years so I really envy you.

Not really any  exciting news from the south coast burnhal more sad really. The word is that the nesting Little Egrets on Brownsea  had their eggs destroyed this year by neighbouring Ravens. Still I suppose their babies have to eat as well.

[Chessman]

I have a Forsythia bush, in which the Sparrows hang out, there is a seed feeder close by, Slugs surprisingly make a beeline for the seed droppings, a rather large Hedgehog feasts on the slugs, and about once or twice a week, a Kestral takes a Sparrow, (what you might call a food chain). the bit I like the best, is whan the back door opens, loads of Sparrow heads suddenly appear out of the bush, watching for the feeder to be filled.

[Cetti]

I have to disagree on both counts Clarion. Thankfully  they are not rare any more and secondly  I think you will find that the wing shape is the other way round. SH, rounded wings, K pointed.

A female Sparrowhawk is a big strong girl - more than capable of taking a Collared Dove.

[Rabelais]

We had a similar event in our garden earlier on in the year. The victim was again a collared dove, but the protagonist was a Peregrine not a sparrowhawk. I was rather hoping it would be a permenant resident and thin out our neighbours pigeons but sadly it didn't and we were plagued with stable flies for yet another year.

[Robinia]

Yes, definitely a Sparrowhawk in my area too!

[Robinia]

Oh dear - evidence of another murder in the garden (dove)......Whodunnit???

[burnhal]

yep- sparrowhawks are not that rare. Regular occurence both over the garden and over the reserve where i warden. Cettis note on wingshape is correct... and the hunting styles is quite different to a kestrel.

[Narolines]

We've had a sparrowhawk take a starling and not be able to stop before it hit our French windows at full diving speed - it gets your attention!  Personally I'm all in favour of anything that gets rid of those blasted collared doves........