birds of prey

[stiltskin]

a sparrowhawk keeps attacking birds in the garden, is there a way i can deter this?

[Cetti]

No, just enjoy having such a magnificent bird in your garden. They don't do it for fun but for food to feed themselves and their kids, unlike cats. It's the natural order and you should do nothing except marvel at the sheer beauty of the bird.

I must admit though when a large female (larger than the male) came into our garden and pinned a Sparrow under her talons I couldn't watch as the Sparrow's mates were screaming in a nearby bush, although this time the little bird escaped.

[TerenceGamer]

Shoot it

[burnhal]

Dont even consider shooting it! You will be in all sorts of trouble with the law!
It wouldnt be there if there wasnt sufficient birdlife to keep it fed. You obviously have a good birdie garden!I have had them twice take collared doves in my garden and felt privelidged to watch them.

[Thunderbird+]

I've seen sparrowhawks take the odd blue tit in my garden, they seem to hang around in the area for a while and then move on to pastures new.
I must addmit it does look pretty horific to watch but there again thats nature, all birds need to eat to survive, but then I thought, I've taken on the responserbility to feed wild birds and attracted predetors into the area too.
What I decided to do was make less easy pickings for birds of prey by placing the bird table in a less exposed place and planted some evergreens near-by, holly is ideal and gives the wee birds much more of a sporting chance and some cover to hide under while they're awaiting their turn at the feeders. All the Best Tbird+

[Catso]

Why? You're really lucky to be able to see it.

Even if you did deter it in your garden, it would just catch them somewhere else.

[Swansea Sul]

Just watch and marvel at such a beautiful sight i can only wish that i had this "problem". If you really want to stop this, put a cardboard cut out of a cat so that the smaller birds can see it and hopefully that should frighten them enough to fly off, then at least the sparrowhawk will look for another source of food.