Sparrow fledglings /Sparrow hawk

[Tilly2]

I posted this in the wrong section earlier, so I will try again.
Last week I posted a question about the starling fledglings . Yesterday, the sparrow fledglings arrived, not quite so noisy but just as demanding.

Unfortunately, the sparrowhawk was rampaging about and one got caught and eaten in the garden. How many 'kills' do they make in a day. I know it's probably dependent on whether they have young to feed but how many birds do the normally kill in a period of time.

Last year we saw the sparrowhaws take a collared dove, a wood pigeon and a blackbird in our garden.

They are beautiful birds but they do leave a horrible mess which we have to clean up before allowing the dogs into the garden.

[icemaiden]

Have answered your other post Tilly.

[seadogg]

Its difficult to know just how many kills the sparrowhawk will make and one would imagine a nice fat woodpigeon would be enough in a day. The number of smaller birds would obviously be greater, especially if the hawks had their own young to feed.

I guess all hunters live by opportunity and must go through feast and famine, except for cats, which get my birds and go home to a meal provided by their "owner"

Yippee! the swallows are home at last!

[Tilly2]

We saw swallows for the first time this weekend. Don't have too much of a problem with cats. The dogs see to that. No sign of the sparrowhawks today......so far.