Sparrow Hawk drops in for lunch

Wow Nick, That Falcon looks fierce, as he enjoys his catch.... the pigeon seems to be as large as the Falcon.... did you witness this catch, or happen to see it after the attack! he'll have a good meal here :) enjoy your week, best wishes, and hugs. Sarah

Hi Sarah, no I didn't witness the kill. Isobel first spotted the Falcon and called me. We went upstairs to grab a pair of binoculars so as to get a better idea of what was going on. The Falcon had its back to us at that stage and it was very difficult to identify what sort of bird of prey it was.
Then we went back downstairs and I grabbed my Nikon and gently opened the front door.
The falcon had now turned around to face us. I crept towards it taking shots all the time focusing on its eyes.
This shot was one of the last that I took before it flew off.
Thanks for your good wishes dear Sarah, you have a good week too ~~~ Hugs

It's a pity that to live every being has to eat another.

Yes I agree ~~~ it is a cruel world

Hi Nick
I like this picture very much!
It is a very different and exciting composition
It must have been great to watch!
Like it or not, it is the way of nature!
Best Wishes, a nice week ahead, and stay safe!!
Peter

Hi Peter

I have been after a good shot of a Peregrine Falcon for years. I know where some hang out in Penzance and at another location between Penzance and Sennen but never got a really detailed image.
Salisbury Cathedral has a pair usually nesting too.

So yes it was an exciting few minutes.

Thanks for your good wishes Peter.

In turn I wish you all the very best too & stay safe

A rare sight indeed Nick to have Peregrine feeding on your property .. certainly lucky to have the camera handy too.

An interesting shot indeed.

Best wishes and stay safe.

Steve

Hi Steve

It was the first time that I have used the Nikon in months, boy it feels so heavy these days.
It was a lucky moment. Read my reply to Sarah above for more background info.

Thanks for recommending so many group links too.

Enjoy the rest of your week Steve and thanks again.

Stay Safe

Nick

An excellent capture Nick.
Have a good day and thank you for posting to FFF.

Hi Jeff, you are welcome. Steve D suggested it.
I'm pleased that you like it.

Stay safe

Oh dear! We have one visiting our garden unfortunately Nick! We couldn't understand why the birds were staying away, especially our friendly blackbird....then we find the remains of a couple of sparrows! Hopefully the blackbirds are safe. I hate it when this happens. You got a very good picture and evidence though, so I will give it a well deserved star.

Happy Wednesday, Rosa.

Yes I understand your predicament well and sincerely hope that your falcon finds richer pickings elsewhere ~ what a pity.

Thanks for the star ~ we don't mind it eating the pigeons as there a few to many at present.

Our bird feeders are mostly protected from dive bombers above but it has to be said that the local population of finches and tits has been dropping for a couple of years now

Stay safe

I should have said we have a bird of prey visiting, as it is a Sparrowhawk, not a falcon. Our bird feeders are next to a dense tree/bush, so hopefully that helps the small birds to get away quickly, but there are so many sparrows here, the big bird is sure to get one or two.

Hm, you have got me thinking Rosa, Maybe what I have got here is a Sparrow hawk too.

I wonder what others think?

I think this is more likely to be a sparrow hawk. They are often to be seen patrolling over the verges near roads, whereas a peregrine is much more likely to be found in coastal areas or where there are cliffs and high nesting places. There is always a nest near the top of Norwich cathedral. Superb capture though, dear Nick.

Thanks dear LGM ~ Yes I got over excited and rushed to my bird book and completely missed the sparrow hawk page!!!

Certainly on closer inspection Nick Sparrow hawk fits the bill ( excuse the pun )

There is a difference in the amount of yellow in the eyes of both birds and this one shouts Sparrow hawk .

Best wishes and stay safe.

Steve

A great capture, I have one of a Sparrowhawk clutching a Robin, don't expect to ever catch a similar one again.

Thank you for your compliment. I have seen your poor Robin now (Another great capture)

Like you I don't expect to ever make a similar capture in the future ~~~