One of the garden Sparrowhawks finally made a successful swoop around the feeders and caught one of the young Starlings last week. We somehow missed this happening despite the patio doors being wide open and only realised when we spotted her on the lawn eating the bird. I have to admit I did an amazing commando crawl through the dining room so I could reach up and grab my camera without disturbing it! I was then able to sit at the patio doors and watch, pretty gruesome but absolutely amazing! It's the first time one has actually landed in the garden with a kill.
I was able to watch until she flew off taking part of the bird with her, a friend pointed out that perhaps she has a nest and was taking the remains for the chicks? It made my weekend to be able to watch this beautiful bird so closely!
A little bit of video - with a hint of a wobble in the middle as I wasn't sat very comfortably!
Wow Pam lots of drama in this peek into nature. You did a great job documenting. Hopefully there is young being fed as the balance of nature certainly is important.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sondra, yes I think carrying part of the bird off is a good sign!
DeleteIt is always a great privilege to have this window into nature in the raw. The drama between predator and prey is carried out every day but we seldom witness it. On the few occasions I have done so I have had a smidgin of regret or sadness for the victim, but I am overwhelmingly impressed with the skill of the predator. I think that for many, feelings are coloured by the degree of cuteness of the prey. If a hawk captures a venomous snake most people applaud it, if it takes a brightly coloured appealing songbird their reaction is exactly the opposite. Kudos to you for remaining neutral Pam and recording what you could of the event.
ReplyDeleteIt really is! I think if i'd seen the actual moment the Hawk took the bird I may have been a little more upset, those first moments are not pleasant! It's funny isn't it how people react! Thanks David.
DeleteSuper photos Pam and it is always wonderful to be able to watch something like this in real life even if you have to feel a little sorry for the victim. One thing is certain a sparrowhawk with prey is not as gruesome as the heron that came to fish for frogs in our garden pond! In the end I couldn't take any more and had to chase him off!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Caroline :) Oh dear although I would love to have a Heron in the garden (a favourite bird!) I can imagine watching it decimate the frog population isn't great!
DeleteWhat a wonderful moment to be able to watch and photograph. The are beautiful birds but I always feel sad for the little birds they catch as well. That's the natural world though it's a hard place for all wildlife. Great that you were able to reach your camera and take photos:)
ReplyDeleteIt really was, I've never been able to see this so close before!
DeleteHello Pam
ReplyDeleteI have these dramas with me in the garden too, buzzard against chicken. you know who wins, sad but great to watch, that's nature
Regards Frank
P.S. a translation program would be helpful for me, thank you
Thanks Frank, wow a Buzzard with a chicken must have been quite something to watch!
DeleteI've had a look into the translation issue before and your browser should automatically ask if you wish the page translating I think. I'll try and have a look further but can't see anything I can specifically add.
I managed to find a translate option and linked at the right hand side of the blog, hope this helps :)
DeleteGreat event to record, with photos and a video. I always forget to use the video on my camera. I have this vision of you crawling through the house to get your camera. :))
ReplyDeleteYes I usually do and I did mess up at first, thought i'd pressed record and hadn't! Haha my husband could describe....it he can stop laughing :D
ReplyDelete