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seriesonenut



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Essex
Posts: 1205

United Kingdom 
ot -what's this killer in my garden!
A huge crash into the lounge windows tonight and this appeared in the garden but what is it? Lived here 20 years and never seen one before - anyway it is tucking into something it caught


Click image to enlarge
hawk by Richard Holmes, on Flickr 2010 XS USW
1957 Series One 88 diesel
1958 Series One 88 4x2
Post #832696 22nd May 2020 7:34pm
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Badger110



Member Since: 06 Feb 2018
Location: South hams
Posts: 1024

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Buckingham Blue
It's a sparrowhawk.

Either they or the bird they're chasing do have a habit of hitting windows!
Post #832698 22nd May 2020 7:39pm
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seriesonenut



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Essex
Posts: 1205

United Kingdom 
cool. I think it's dinner hit the window trying to get away! 2010 XS USW
1957 Series One 88 diesel
1958 Series One 88 4x2
Post #832699 22nd May 2020 7:41pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19449

United Kingdom 
^^^^ Definitely is a Sparrowhawk. They are pretty formidable aerial predators.
Prey species are predominantly fellow birds.

I thought I had seen a Red Kite today too, a different species though. Seems like they all came out today.
Thumbs Up Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️
And if You Love the Country, then we’re on the same side ~
I got’ love for Britain, I got’ British pride’. 🇬🇧
Post #832700 22nd May 2020 7:47pm
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Slideywindows



Member Since: 09 Sep 2016
Location: North Essex
Posts: 1283

England 
Kiss goodbye to your garden songbirds.

Bluetits seem to be one of the few species that survive the presence of sparrowhawks.

I've got them nesting everywhere - but precious little else.
Post #832728 22nd May 2020 9:55pm
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Swine&Small



Member Since: 20 Mar 2017
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 1223

United Kingdom 
The presence of Sparrowhawks is usually a sign of a healthy local bird population.
We have had a pair in our garden for a number of years with the bigger female usually target pigeons or collared dove and other smaller species being usually taken by the male.They were given legal protection in 1967 following years of persecution by some farmers and game keepers protecting commercial shoots or money.
Their presence has not upset our resident Merlin much to our pleasure. Thumbs Up 1983 Series 3 Pick up in Marine Blue
1967 Morris Traveller
1966 Morris Convertible
2012 VW T5 Camper
Quod Abundat Non Obstat.
Post #832740 22nd May 2020 11:57pm
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Procta



Member Since: 03 Dec 2016
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 4908

United Kingdom 
we could with birds like that around here, to keep the seagulls down! Defender TD5 90 ---/--- Peugeot 306 HDI hatch back

Success is 90% Inspiration and 4 minutes Preparation # you can make it!
Post #832741 23rd May 2020 12:16am
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Procta



Member Since: 03 Dec 2016
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 4908

United Kingdom 
Swine&Small wrote:
The presence of Sparrowhawks is usually a sign of a healthy local bird population.
We have had a pair in our garden for a number of years with the bigger female usually target pigeons or collared dove and other smaller species being usually taken by the male.They were given legal protection in 1967 following years of persecution by some farmers and game keepers protecting commercial shoots or money.
Their presence has not upset our resident Merlin much to our pleasure. Thumbs Up


I tell you a story what happened about 12 years ago about pigeons in one of the local parks. This park was well known for been a pigeon heaven. Anyway, there was a massive decline in pigeons in the park, and around the area. People were like thinking its very odd, and could not explain why. Anyway it later came about that the local kids/ chavs were catching the pigeons and selling them to a couple of local Indian families for £2 quid each. Smile
I have often joked about doing a similar trick to seagulls around our works place. Catch them and sell them to the local takeaway and split the profits between us. Very Happy Not my local takeaway i may add Whistle But who's to say that its not we have eaten in the past Laughing once said meat is curried that's it. Thumbs Up Defender TD5 90 ---/--- Peugeot 306 HDI hatch back

Success is 90% Inspiration and 4 minutes Preparation # you can make it!
Post #832742 23rd May 2020 12:27am
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AMBxx



Member Since: 24 Jul 2016
Location: York
Posts: 980

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
We've had Red Kites here for the last 5 years or so. Our Guinea fowl make a racket whenever they're around, but the local Crow population has dropped nicely. Used to get 10 to 20 crows all over the chicken feed at this time of year. Now rare to see more than 1 or 2. The kites don't kill the crows, just harass them, and presumably pinch some eggs.
Never get bored of them, wonderful birds.
Post #832748 23rd May 2020 5:24am
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LR90XS2011



Member Since: 05 Apr 2011
Location: bickenhill
Posts: 3602

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green
have them in my garden quite a lot taking garden birds off the feeder, collard doves and pigeons off the lawn, they seem to like eating brains!! DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,

I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy
Post #832755 23rd May 2020 6:15am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16808

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
I have family in the Chilterns, where the Red Kite has made a fantastic come-back and there is now a significant population. They are very impressive, but are predominantly carrion feeders (i.e., they eat dead things) since they have relatively weak legs. Small mammals and birds will get taken if carrion isn't available.

The Red Kite is slowly spreading and I have recently seen them within 3 miles of Blandford, Dorset, which I find encouraging. They are simply magnificent, and very distinctive with the forked tail and colouration. Unfortunately their predilection for carrion does make they vulnerable to illegal trapping and poisoning, which is what lead to the extirpation of the UK population last time round.
Post #832808 23rd May 2020 8:51am
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Barneyboy



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 1582

England 1986 Defender 90 2.5 n/a Diesel ST Nato Green
We live at the foot of the hill that the red kites were released on ( Wormsley Estate ) and they soar over our garden every day they really are a beautiful bird, I have heard recently that there is a Sea Eagle cohabitating with the red kites apparently one of the ones that were released on the Isle of Wight I’ve not seen it myself however someone is believed to of seen it on a Deer carcass up Watlington Hill Thumbs Up cheers Paul
Post #832842 23rd May 2020 10:37am
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andydef90



Member Since: 09 Feb 2015
Location: yorkshire
Posts: 617

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey
I have noticed that there is a lot of wildlife about sparrow hawks kites and buzzards kestrels . we have a pair of foxes loads of hedgehogs . last week a deer first iv seen here and a badger set in the local glass works .
for now its keeping me going due to problems out of my control life is not good
Post #833100 24th May 2020 3:06pm
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Badger110



Member Since: 06 Feb 2018
Location: South hams
Posts: 1024

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Buckingham Blue
Wildlife is much bolder at these times of year due to needing to feed young ones
Post #833102 24th May 2020 3:14pm
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CharlieDonuts



Member Since: 16 Jun 2019
Location: Illiers Combray
Posts: 133

France 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Galway Green
I live in the cloister of Chartres cathedral and we have two peregrine falcons nesting on one of the spires. They are a joy to watch.
Post #833110 24th May 2020 4:13pm
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