Having just moved we have a Sparrowhawk visiting our garden on a regular basis. The question I have is do they use a plucking post and if so is it worth putting up a suitable perch?
Thanks for the help
Regards
SteveHL
Posted by Andy Astbury on December 1, 2007 at 1:49 PM
In my experience Steve usually no, they don't.
They carry their food only as far as need to in order to find cover under which to hide whilst they eat their prey, just like their big cousins Goshawks. At least once a week I'll see one mantled over a collared dove or such like under the nearest hedge to where it's made it's capture.
I'm not saying they'll never use one - just that they would usually find a plucking post too exposed to the prying eyes of others
I suppose in a way it depends what else is in the area - all the ones in my area have to contend with large numbers of crows, an ever growing number of Buzzards and quite a few other spars - so they are a very secretive bird and a very hard challenge to photograph.
Posted by Steve Marple on December 1, 2007 at 1:50 PM
On the occasions they've taken birds from my garden they've plucked it on the ground. Maybe that's because I don't have plucking post, but there were plenty of fence posts to choose from.
Sorry I have to dissagree.
From my observations of A Male and Female Sparrowhawk regulary hunting in the garden.
If the prey is Greenfinch size they will take it to the same tree branch. 90% of the time.
If the prey is blackbird size, then it is most often eaten on the ground.
It's got to be worth putting up a suitable perch you may get lucky.
I have got some nice images by setting the camera on the branch and firing it by remote release, see on my web site.
Gary
if its pigeon sized, you can disturb them into flying off while you lay on the ground close to the kill with a hide material over you and they will come straight back, they are very bold once they have made the kill. if smaller then they will just carry if off to somewhere safe.
i saw one the other day carrying a half eaten pigeon corpse with it, it could hardly fly, looking like an overloaded chinook as it flew over a field about 3 feet off the ground.
Discussion
5 repliesThanks for the help
Regards
SteveHL
They carry their food only as far as need to in order to find cover under which to hide whilst they eat their prey, just like their big cousins Goshawks. At least once a week I'll see one mantled over a collared dove or such like under the nearest hedge to where it's made it's capture.
I'm not saying they'll never use one - just that they would usually find a plucking post too exposed to the prying eyes of others
I suppose in a way it depends what else is in the area - all the ones in my area have to contend with large numbers of crows, an ever growing number of Buzzards and quite a few other spars - so they are a very secretive bird and a very hard challenge to photograph.
From my observations of A Male and Female Sparrowhawk regulary hunting in the garden.
If the prey is Greenfinch size they will take it to the same tree branch. 90% of the time.
If the prey is blackbird size, then it is most often eaten on the ground.
It's got to be worth putting up a suitable perch you may get lucky.
I have got some nice images by setting the camera on the branch and firing it by remote release, see on my web site.
Gary
if its pigeon sized, you can disturb them into flying off while you lay on the ground close to the kill with a hide material over you and they will come straight back, they are very bold once they have made the kill. if smaller then they will just carry if off to somewhere safe.
i saw one the other day carrying a half eaten pigeon corpse with it, it could hardly fly, looking like an overloaded chinook as it flew over a field about 3 feet off the ground.
mark
Cheers
SteveHL