RXwildlife Sightings

In June 1971 my sister wrote this memorable line in an essay about our half-term holiday. “Last week my brother went bird-watching and came back with chicken-pox”.  Apart from the irritating blister that developed on my back on the return trip from Leighton Moss that Young Ornithologists Club trip is memorable for my first sightings of otter, bittern, hawfinch and a pair of sparrowhawk circling over a distant tree.

Strange to think that in those days sparrowhawk were so special but in the north-east of England they were not a common species. Since then I have had a number of memorable sparrowhawk moments as the species has recolonised the east of England.  The latest occurred this afternoon when a female took out a starling on our back lawn and proceeded to eat it fearlessly. The piercing glare of that yellow eye, the grip of those talons, the cloud of feathers, and the mad bravery of the great tit that scolded loudly from the honeysuckle over-looking the feasting raptor. What drama on the back lawn.

I’m aware that some people find these birds upsetting. Of course one feels for the prey, but it is a privilege to get a front seat at this sort of event.

Posted in Birds | by Brian Banks