sparrow hawk

[missedagainstan]

Was out decoying yesterday on a field of osr next to a large wood. With my hide set up against the the edge of the wood, decoys in place and a couple of lofted rubber full bodyed pigeon above and to the left of my hide for good measure.

 

Just happend to glance up to check the lofted decoys to catch the sparrow hawk just dropping onto and striking the decoy, he must of known something was not right as he let go, hoverd about 15ft above again for a couple of seconds and dropped again this time not making contact and departing.

 

I,m sure this isn't the first time it's happend but still nice to see

 

I must have set up the hide well because a hare walked wright past the front of the net also.

 

Just thought I'd share that with you it was the highlight of the day as the shooting didn't turn into much, it had shown alot of promise in the week but the pigeon seem to have moved on

[Pedro]

Sometimes that's as good as it gets

Just being out in the middle of it all without disturbing what's going on can be better than doing any shooting.

Some of the best sights I've seen have been whilst sitting in a hide or creeping about, bloody marvellous

 

P.

[grasshopper]

Lucky you,

 

It,s not always about the shooting,you might never see that again.

 

Just to be out there is often enough,how many people would not believe or even know what your talking about.

 

We see things that people only ever see on tv or not at all.

 

Got to be there to c it....says me sitting at a keyboard.But will be mooching tomorrow hoping to see something different.

 

GH

[Paul in North Lincs.]

there is something enchanting about birds of prey,...thy've always fasinated me, and its great to see them in the field.....................................

[cloudwalker]

I have had two similar experiences.

The first time was when out decoying. I put a deek on top of the hedge I had my hide set up against. All of a sudden I heard this wooshing sound, I looked over just in time to see a Perigrine falcon hit the decoy off the hedge and they try to pluck it :(

The second time I was out doing some rough shooting. A Woody flew over and I dropped it into the next field. I could see the Pigeon was still alive but just as I climbed over the gate a Sparrow Hawk hit it. The Hawk was so preoccupied in trying to pluck and eat this Pigeon I got to within 6 feet of it before it flew off

 

Both truly amazing things I shall never forget

[Pipmoff]

At the begining of the year I was out shooting duck with a mate on a flooded field that backs onto the marsh. We were sat behind the hide waiting for the duck to come in when I saw something in the water it was a mother otter with her cub, they came across the water sniffed the decoys and then carried on through the hedge oblivious to us sat there.

[Browning GTS]

It is great when this happens i have had a couple of sparrow hawks come in, the highlight though was as i posted the other day when a perigrin landed on my nearest shot pigeon and started plucking it before it noticed me and flew off in the past after leaving a couple of pigeons on the ground and going for a wander around the hedges when i got back there was a Kite on one and after sneaking up behind it, i got with in 15-20 ft before it saw me and flew off it really does make your day

[Tony9r]

A couple of weeks ago I was out lamping in the truck, and spotted an owl hovering 5 feet above the ground at around 20 yards or so from me, hunting for mice etc... it wasn't bothered one bit about the spots

It's great that we see things like this that many other people havn't, and maybe never will

[njc110381]

I've had a few situations like this, and it beats the shooting any day! It's amazing what we get to see sometimes, and people are always interested to hear about it. I've not seen much lately, apart from the Buzzard that eats my shot Rabbits sometimes. If they're hovering round when I'm shooting I'll often leave them a snack, and I think they're getting used to me. The best thing I've had happen to me is a Robin landing on my barrel when ambushing Rabbits with the air rifle. That was great!

[gsmith]

A lovelly sight to see,

 

I had a Sparrow Hawk take a feral pigeon in the garden last saturday, i gave it a round of applause.

 

Just seeing Birds of prey going in for the kill is amazing.

[luckytrigger]

Was out decoying yesterday on a field of osr next to a large wood. With my hide set up against the the edge of the wood, decoys in place and a couple of lofted rubber full bodyed pigeon above and to the left of my hide for good measure.

 

Just happend to glance up to check the lofted decoys to catch the sparrow hawk just dropping onto and striking the decoy, he must of known something was not right as he let go, hoverd about 15ft above again for a couple of seconds and dropped again this time not making contact and departing.

 

I,m sure this isn't the first time it's happend but still nice to see

 

I must have set up the hide well because a hare walked wright past the front of the net also.

 

Just thought I'd share that with you it was the highlight of the day as the shooting didn't turn into much, it had shown alot of promise in the week but the pigeon seem to have moved on

 

Like others have said its not always about the shooting its what you see that can make your day..

I had a poor lamping session friday evening with only 3 bunnies. I was walking around one field close on the 'witching hour'when i heard some noise in the grass near some set aside, shone my lamp towards the direction of it and saw a badger no more than 20 feet away.. Was well chuffed as i had never been so close to one. It continued rummaging around in the grass for around 3-4 minutes totally unfazed by the lamplight. It then got bored and ambled off..brilliant.

[Markio]

I've has a kestral dive in for one on my half shell decoys before. It got with a x feet and realised something wasn't right and flew off. Seen the usual pair of little owls at my permission quite a bit but no since last summer. It's all good to see.