An uninvited but very welcome guest.

[deltachild]

Our garden on the Isle of Wight can be a lot more exciting than it has any right to be. This beautiful Sparrowhawk landed in our garden today, complete with his/her own offering for lunch. I may actually take it upon myself to clean the conservatory glass, it was so frustrating trying to take stealthy shots through it this afternoon.

Comments

[deltachild]

It was such a surprise to see, I think it's becoming a little less 0_o of the occasional squeak of delight it must be able to hear through the glass.

[slippery_fish]

Oh, hey pretty birdie!

[deltachild]

Very pretty birdie :) Very deadly too!

[takethewaffles]

birdieeeeee. I always see cute animals out and about but I can never creep up close enough to take a picture without scaring them off D:

[deltachild]

I feel very fortunate that it was in just the right position for me to be able to see it through the glass and not freak it out :)

[glitterburn]

Wow, how gorgeous! Sparrowhawks are such stunning birds. There was a female sparrowhawk that used to land in the plum tree in my parents' garden. It's so special to see such beautiful (and deadly) creatures. Great pictures!

[deltachild]

The RSPB site tried to convince me that they are one of the most common birds of prey to see in your garden, but I remain unconvinced as it doesn't look as though it would be at home on a birdtable ;)

It actually came back for a third time this morning, at about 7:15am it was back on the fence peering down at its kill! It seems very proud of it.

[glitterburn]

My aunt near Chichester has a sparrowhawk in the garden quite often, too. I guess of all the birds of prey they're most likely to land because of their hunting methods plus their prey is other birds and so gardens are an easy killing-ground! If you have woodland close by the bird might roost there and may even nest.

That reminds me, I saw a bunch (or whatever the collective is) of partridge the other day in a field! I hadn't seen partridge for years and there were six of them just by the side of the road. Should have stopped and caught them for dinner LOL

[fissijo]

I am SO flipping jealous. Birds of Prey have always fascinated me (since the first time I saw a Kestrel hovering).

[deltachild]

I have always been quite into wildlife as a rule, but birds of prey have fascinated me since watching "The Animals of Farthing Wood" clashed with reading lots of "Redwall" books and being able to hold a barn own.

All around awesome.