Kitchen Garden Forum

Yesterday a sparrowhawk swooped down onto our patio and pinned down a collared dove. I ran outside and only when I was a yard away did the sparrowhawk release its prey and fly off. I rescued the collared dove who eventually recovered and was able to fly away. Now I'm feeling torn. Whilst I saved the collared dove, I deprived a hungry bird of prey of possibly its only meal that day. When it comes to value doesn't a magnificent bird of prey have the greater worth? But saving a life somehow just came as a natural instinct.

Dear Primrose, i wouldn't over concern yourself with what you did. The Sparrow won't have starved through you doing what you did.
We all interfere with nature every day without even realizing it.

We have a pair of [sparrow?] hawks and the other day I caught one swooping down on my turkeys! big turkeys! would a hawk normally go for such a big bird - there is plenty of other prey around here for it - mice, rabbits etc.

Dear Happyhen, i'm just wondering if your pair of Sparrowhawks has had youngsters this year. If so it could well be one of these swooping down on the Turkeys.
I think a lot of young preditory animals make this mistake of trying to take on larger creatues, i suppose it's just a learning curve.

Hi
its possible that theyve had young because they always seem to be around and have been for a few years. In the spring we watched two of them in the air chasing a magpie - it was quite amazing to watch !
Nature is a fantastic thing but is often upsetting when its close to home - Ive cried too many tears after the fox has been.