Question about Kestrels/Sparrowhawks

Hello,


The massacre of the innocents has begun. This is probably the one thing I hate about being in the garden. The cackling of the magpies, the frantic squawking of the parents and the pained squeaks of the chicks as they get taken.


But this morning something different was taking chicks, I think it was a pair of sparrowhawks because I have never heard of kestrels taking chicks. They were smaller than a magpie but it was very early about 6.30am and I had just got out of bed and enjoying my morning cuppa on the patio so my eyes were still watery from sleep. Plus I think kestrels hunt alone don't they? I don't know, but it was awful, the predator was flitting from branch to branch, the head of the chick bobbing about in it's claws. I know they have their own chicks to feed, just don't like it.

 

Its not nice but its nature Lolli.

I was sitting in the conservatory a few weeks ago then I heard a
large thump.

I got up quick and looked outside, there not 6ft away from me was a kestrel, on the paving with a sparrow in its claws, I saw the eyes of the kestrel and the eyes of the still alive sparrow.
Both seemed to look directly at me for what seemed quite a while, but was only a split second.

I remember thinking what do I do now, but luckily the choice never came my way.

Within a second the kestrel was off, taking the sparrow with it.

I guess a nest full of sparrow chicks later died, due to losing one parent.

But that how nature is, ..........cruel.

 

Yesterday, we had 4 x Robin chicks in a nest outside the room where I am writing this. This morning, not even the Mother could be seen, let alone the chicks.

 

Nature is brutal. I've seen and heard many things I'd rather have lived in blissful ignorance of. It's how it goes though. Humans do it to, we've just became super efficient at it. Instead of chasing down a wild animal and risk injury to ourselves as we snatch it, we just pay someone else to farm it, slaughter it, package it and ship it to us instead. (I should point out I'm not a veggie, just in case anyone thought I was preaching).

 

It is that I feed those birds, and I watch for nests being built and stuff. Sentimental I know to get attached to the sound of chicks chirruping away above you as you tie in your roses and stuff. And having blackbirds squawking at you because you are within 10ft of their nests. Saying that I have only just become used to squelching greenfly with my fingers so it's barmy as well, at least the birds of prey are taking for food.

 

sounds like a sparrow hawk claire.

Magpies dont get a look in in my garden, the .22 is always ready for them....... absolutely hate them!

 

Cats are the problem where we are next doors has birds regularly yesterday it was a wood pigeon young last week 2 fledgling black birds and a starling best of it is my neighbour asks me to remove the bits cause she's squeamish,I recommended she put a collar on her cats with a bell preferably 12" diameter.

 

I haven't ever seen my cats take birds, they both take mice and just ignore birds. I can't say they wouldn't but I have seen them ignore blackbirds that have hopped within a few feet of them. The younger one Poppy has some beef with the squirrels that come in the garden though. She watches them and then storms the tree it's in. Quite funny considering there is no way could she actually catch one. Although she is still less than a year old, maybe someday when she's in her prime.