im thinking kestrel

**buggerlugs** · 27-04-2008

ok here goes, saw a bird in my back garden the other day getting its 'tea', actually im pretty sure its the same bird i saw twice last summer in the same circumstances, but now im intrigued as to what it is, sorry bout the picture havent got a decent camera i do have 5 one minute long videos that are a little better if anyone is intereested in watching a bird have its 'tea'

duh how thick am i didnt put the picture on need help though cos the pic is on my pc and dont know how to input the url for this.lol

**rolf** · 27-04-2008

Hi Tom, welcome to the forum.

Can't see a picture, you can upload a small video clip, or take a screen shot from one of them.

Probably the most common garden visitor amongst the raptors, is the Sparrowhawk. http://www.thamesvalleybirds.co.uk/s...ht=sparrowhawk

**rolf** · 27-04-2008

This thread explains how to load images Tom.

http://www.thamesvalleybirds.co.uk/s...?t=1110%22

**buggerlugs** · 27-04-2008

Click image for larger version.

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i think ive managed to attach the pic

**Chocky** · 27-04-2008

Hi Tom welcome to TVB

Looks like a Sparrowhawk to me

**buggerlugs** · 27-04-2008

thanks for your help chocky, i hope it visits again it was fascinating watching it eat

**Chocky** · 27-04-2008

Well............. I have a pic in the forum of a Peregrine with a Godwit in it's talons but I was spared the feasting , that was seen a little further on by some peeps at the hide

Merlin · 27-04-2008

Chocky is perfectly correct......Sparrowhawk, which is almost certain to visit you again if you are vigilant especially if you feed the garden birds with seed feeders etc. I suppose you could be accused (not by me) of inviting death into your garden by feeding small birds but these birds of prey would only kill/feed elsewhere if they didn't come to you and this is nature in the raw on your doorstep.

Pete.

**buggerlugs** · 28-04-2008

well i have no bird feeders in my garden although next doors do and also a couple of houses up a lad keeps pigeons which i'm fairly sure is what the sparrowhawk had for its tea.....mainly grey and white feathers and lots of them. anyway thank you very much for all your help in identifying the bird.

Tom