Early evening I happened to glance skyward. The gulls had been circling more frenetically than usual, but I thought it was the threatening rain that was upsetting them.

Perhaps, perhaps not. More certain though was their reaction to seeing a sparrowhawk glide across their nesting grounds.

sparrowhawk

Lone sparrowhawk

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gull_sparrowhawk_1305072309

The chase is on

As ever, the sparrowhawk quickly disappeared into the distance none the worse for the encounter. The gulls returned to their rooftop roosts. And no doubt the whole scenario will play out again over the next days.

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Impressive behaviour sequence :up:

    It seems birds take no chances with raptors (or suspected raptors!) even those with are of no threat to them personally.

  2. The poor raptor always seems the more thrreatened in these encounters. Mind you I did see a starling in somewhat more of a panic with one of these on its tail a little while back. They shot across the garden at high speed and low level. I reckon three more gardens was about it for the starling.

  3. Nice pics:) A couple of years ago, i saw a Heron being chased by 2 seagulls! I was thinking the Heron is bigger but i guess it thought it was outnumbered hehe:P

  4. the gull in the last picture looks like a very fast flying bird!

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