There is a Sparrowhawk in my garden! Should I stop feeding small birds?

[theothermarg]

I love watching birds on the feeder outside my window. I have lots of Goldfinches Tits and Sparrows feeding from them. I live in a large houseing estate and thought the main risk was cats including my own but I have just witnessed
a Sparrowhawk catching and eating a Sparrow.  It was tucking in for about a hour and ate it all but a few feathers.
I have very mixed feelings. All creatures have to eat and unlike a cat this one really needed that Sparrow but should I make it easy for it by attracting them to my garden? on the other hand am I keeping more alive than the predators take?
your views would be very welcome
marg

[goodlife]

I think by not feeding your sparrows..and other birds during winter you might loose more birds than one sparrowhawk would eat..so effectively you are not only keeping the small bird numbers up but keep the hawk fed as well. We have those coming to our plot too..and even the nature is cruel..I love seeing sparrowhawks.

[Obbelix]

It's called natural selection.  The sparrowhawks only catch the slow, stupid, inexperienced or weak.  They also need to eat and are beautiful and fascinating in their own right.

You can help the small birds by placing your feeders near shrubs into which they can dive for shelter when the sparrowhawk swoops.  It works fine here and the hawks have to work hard for their very infrequent dinners in my garden.  As Goodlife says, a lot more birds are kept alive by my feeders than die at the claws of the sparrowhawk.

[Flighty]

I agree the others, and would keep topping up the feeders as you're certainly helping keep more alive than the sparrowhawk takes.
I think that most of us who see one in the garden have mixed feelings.

[Digeroo]

You are feeding the sparrow hawk indirectly.  Keep up the good work.  It is sad to see a sparrow eaten but that is nature.

[theothermarg]

Thankyou.  I did see the Hawk last week but as lots of bird dived into a holly bush I thought they were safe but the Hawk went in after them. think this one was too near the edge of a branch. took loads of pics but got to remember how to put them on here
 I never expected to see one with so many houses about and must admit I was thrilled
just gone out in the garden and noticed it also left the little beak behind, it must have been very hungry
marg

[Kleftiwallah]

We had a sparrowhawk 'decend' on a starling in our garden, he just sat there looking at us with a "Whos a clever boy then" ?  expression and then took off.       Cheers,     Tony.

[Robert_Brenchley]

If you're feeding close to cover, keep it well off the ground or you'll be feeding pampered moggies as well as the hawk.

[theothermarg]

trying to post pic wish me luck

<a href="http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i229/theothermarg/gardening/?action=view&amp;current=garden2021.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i229/theothermarg/gardening/garden2021.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">[/url]
think I,v done it
not quite  what I meant to put on. what you'v got is my photobucket garden pics going back ages enjoy
marg

[ceres]

Those are super pictures Marg - well done for capturing them!

[gazza1960]

Excellent piccies marg,and me being one O lifes carnivores I guess Im no different than your beautiful sparrow hawk....I line up to feed on defenceless joints of pork and beef that the kind Farmer has reared....that the abattoir
has killed....that the butcher prepares and presents for me to mull over before I buy and cook it.

Sorry its not a very fluffy answer but its survival of the fittest,and im afraid your sprogs are not quite getting to grips with the awesome crash diving techniques of that crackin sparrow hawk of yours.

My monies still on the small birds to eat enough of your freebies though so as its winter id keep feeding them
but occassionally accept losses to your Local Raptor..!!!!!!!!!!!!

and yes,I luv all animals,only some I prefer with salt & pepper on their Tail....


Gazza

[theothermarg]

Yes I'v come terms about the roll of this hansome bird but still worry about the beautiful Goldfinches. sorry but I suppose it's because sparrows anf starlings have always been there but I'd never even seen a Goldfinch till a few years ago
marg

[goodlife]

Marg..the sparrowhawk only need to do few dives and the birds soon learn to be on the look out for it. It may well be that your little hawkie is not going to catch anything nearby your bird table anymore and will have to move on..it will still come and check its chances every now and then.

[Flighty]

One of my bird books says...If you are an avid fan of feeding songbirds, you'll have to accept that sparrowhawks will also benefit from that. But rather than a bad sign, this fabulous bird is a sure sign that you're doing the right thing - so well done and keep putting out the food!

[antipodes]

I have to confess that I LOVE birds of prey! We rarely see them in Australia and here I am fascinated by the buzzards and hawks and falcons that hover over fields or sit on roadside fence posts. They are beautiful. In AUvergne we were once lucky enough to see a Royal Milan, which is a type of eagle. Majestic.

Nature is cruel, but well organised. It's eat and be eaten. Your hawk will also eat various small rodents and insects so it's just how it is. I don't think that should stop you giving a helping hand to the other birds, the smartest and quickest will survive to eat another sunflower seed!

[Robert_Brenchley]

I surprised a sparrowhawk in the lane outside my plot yesterday; it was eating a pigeon. We get the odd one passing through, but I wish they'd stay!

[theothermarg]

I havn't seen it again ! on most days I am sure the passing footfall (cats and human) would put it off. It certainly hasn't put small birds off. as well as the usual crowd I noticed Greenfinches are back and a different looking LBJ appeared which turned out to be a Dunnock ( take a pic with as much zoom on as I can and then zoom it on the PC)
not any Blackbirds yet, I worry about them as they stay on the ground turning over the woodchip but I have never seen any cay chewed bodies so they must be able to cope
marg

[Robert_Brenchley]

They're not too bothered by humans. I once had a beautiful little male zoom six inches above my head, perch up ten yards away, then sit there looking at me.

[woodypecks]

Hallo Marg   , Just came on to say how we really enjoyed your photos of the Sparrohawk..nature is wonderful . You just continue to feed and enjoy it all . ...and keep that camera near by ! Great stuff . love it ! Debs 

[Paulines7]

I have just come across this thread.  What lovely pictures Marg!     Thanks for sharing.

I agree with others on here that you should keep on feeding the garden birds.