Monday, 16 April 2018

A Stand Off

Last Monday as I left for work I could see a flock of Starlings screeching around a car park near home and as I got closer the screeching got worse. A couple of Magpies were hopping off a fence and flying at a bush then I realised that most of the noise was coming from a Sparrowhawk in the bush. It had a Starling (still alive) in its claws and the Magpies were not happy!

I had grabbed my camera as i'd been planning on taking a few photos as I walked through the local park so I managed to grab a few shots of the angry exchanges. The hawk was not giving up its grip on the Starling so every time a Magpie flew at it, it swung itself at them snapping it's beak.

Unfortunately it seemed quite a stand off that I couldn't wait for the end of or i'd be late for work (I know, I know I should have stayed), I was in fact a little late but hey ho. The photos I got give a pretty good idea of what was happening.












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8 comments:

  1. Ragged Robin18 April 2018 at 11:49

    A wonderful sequence of photos and what a great event to witness. Do hope though that the poor starling managed to escape somehow!

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    Replies
    1. Pam19 April 2018 at 10:03

      Thanks Caroline, i've never seen a Magpie behave in such a way before!

      Delete
  2. David M. Gascoigne,18 April 2018 at 12:38

    Safe to say it was not a good day for the starling!

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  3. Sondra18 April 2018 at 14:34

    Wow amazing encounter..
    That magpie is a would be hero lovely shot when his tail was spread.

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    Replies
    1. Pam19 April 2018 at 10:07

      Thanks, I love the colours in its tail!

      Delete
  4. Amanda Peters22 April 2018 at 20:01

    Stunning set of photos, it's such a shame you could not have stayed.
    Amandaxx

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    Replies
    1. Pam23 April 2018 at 16:04

      Thank you :) I know I should have, I ended up being late anyway! xx

      Delete

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