Sparrowhawk
Random Events
15/11/11 11:37 Filed in: Sightings
Being in the right place at the right time is one of the wonderful things about observing wildlife. No matter how much research & planning you do, nature will always spring a surprise on you. This morning I was at the Upper Pond making some plans for our upcoming felling operations and spent some time there wandering around. I was standing by the dam, just about to leave when there was a terrific flapping in one of the overhanging trees. Down comes a bundle of feathers which turned out to be a Sparrowhawk chasing a Pigeon. The Pigeon managed to escape into some undergrowth just above the waterline & the Sparrowhawk sat on a branch just above, giving me great views. After a couple of minutes the obviously injured Pigeon made an escape attempt but was pounced on by the raptor who proceeded to grab it in its talons, get on top of it, and sit there, wings outstretched, calmly drowning it!
After a while, when it’s prey was dead, it attempted several times to extract the Pigeon from the water, but it was just too heavy so it just gave up and flew off leaving the bird floating in the pond. Incredible!
Poor Pigeon for enduring a dreadful death, or poor Sparrowhawk for having expended so much time & effort and failing to get a meal? Probably both….
PV
After a while, when it’s prey was dead, it attempted several times to extract the Pigeon from the water, but it was just too heavy so it just gave up and flew off leaving the bird floating in the pond. Incredible!
Poor Pigeon for enduring a dreadful death, or poor Sparrowhawk for having expended so much time & effort and failing to get a meal? Probably both….
PV