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Sparrowhawk Kill

All of a sudden we have birds back in the garden. A month ago I only recorded 10 species during the week for the BTO Garden Bird Survey; this week 22 species. Among the returning winter visitors are a group of Redwings in my neighbour’s holly tree, a Chaffinch, a pair of Blackcaps, two Song Thrushes, a Mistle Thrush guarding any mistletoe berries in the area, the first Coal Tit for a while and, of course, a Sparrowhawk. In this case the Sparrowhawk, a male, grabbed one of a small influx of Blackbirds and after a short struggle, plucked it, before heading off somewhere to finish off eating it.