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BACK TO THE MANCHESTER BIRDING WEBSITE HOMEPAGE -> Manchester Birding Forum -> GENERAL BIRDING DISCUSSION -> Sparrowhawk-Heaton Moor
Post Info TOPIC: Sparrowhawk-Heaton Moor
Melanie Beckford


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RE: Sparrowhawk-Heaton Moor
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Yes, Gibsons is almost opposite The Plough. Great that you recognized the flight pattern of this bird...they are birds of habit, so if he's finding prey in and around your garden, you'll see him again.

Good luck !

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Carl Howe


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Wotcha,
I saw the Sparrowhawk (i think) this morning. I only recognised it in flight because of an earlier posting by you and your description of the bird... ''they flap a few times then glide, and then repeat.''
No chance of a shot tho, even if I had my camera - it happened all too quicly I'm afraid.
One day I will capture it (on film so to speak)!!

Carlos

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Carl Howe


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Hiya - Gibsons... thats opposite the Plough isnt it?! Well, good luck wherever you off to next. Me, I'm stuck here after being made redundant a few weeks ago. Hey ho.
Anyway, I saw the Sparrowhawk (i think) this morning. I only recognised it in flight because of an earlier posting by Dennis Atherton and his description of the bird... ''they flap a few times then glide, and then repeat.''
No chance of a shot even if I had my camera - it happened all too quicly I'm afraid.
Ah well.

Toodle pip.

Carlos : )

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Melanie Beckford


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I'm on Heaton Moor, Gibsons Road.
I did see a Fox (12.30am) last Wednesday. Alas tomorrow is my last day working in this area, so l won't be able to keep an eye out anymore. Our neighbours had a huge flock of Goldfinch in their garden last week, l was staggered, never seen so many.

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Carl Howe


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Hiya - thanks for the info I will be on the look out. In fact only this weekend I was in my mums loft looking for my dads old military binoculars for such a purpose.
ALAS since my last sighting I have experienced didlysquat on the Sparrowhawk front. Still, nil desperandum i shall be keeping a watchful eye!!! I'm guessing it lives/breathes/breeds/feeds down by the old railway track in Heaton Mersey, near the River Mersey. There's plenty of critters down there to feed off and it seems it the kind of habitat they like (so I'm told), so I rekon it only comes up here for some easy pickings.
Anyway, please let me know if you see anything, I think its great to see 'proper' wildlife in th 'burbs!! I'm still looking for the badger I thought I saw under my window at 3am a few nights ago, but in reality it was probably a fox!! : )

PS are you up at this end of the Moor or more towards Didsbury?

Carlos

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Melanie Beckford


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Hi Carlos...I work only round the corner from where you're talking about. There is a Sparrowhawk that regularly patrols around there...Parsonage Road, Heaton Moor Road etc.
I too have seen feathers strewn all over in a garden on the main road and nearby where you're talking about. I have seen this bird having just taken a small bird as well. My guess is if there's no birds in your garden then this predator will be around....and the birds have gone to cover. Listen out for alarm calls from Magpies, Blackbirds and Tits.
As lots of us feed birds, gardens are very attractive to Sparrowhawks and they are easy pickings as when the birds are feeding they are busy, and that's a great time for these birds to strike!
Try writing down as much info as you can if you see it again, approx size, color, barring, eye color etc..

I'm jealous if you see this bird perched up regularly, it's one of my favourites and l don't see them enough, lucky you !

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Carl Howe


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OK thanks. Will post a pic one of these days(if thats possible). Havin said that, they are never still for more than a few minutes!!! : )


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Dennis atherton


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Hi Carlos

Welcome to the forum


as youve seen Peregrines before and could pick them out, An easy tip for picking out a Sparrowhawk is in flight, they have distinctive flight pattern, they flap a few times then glide, and then repeat, look for the pattern, also watch for if it hovers, only Kestrels do this, these two tips can seperate these two birds which are most likely for this size of bird, good luck.

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Did you see it? It was small and brown and flew that way.........................
Carl Howe


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Hi, I'm new to all this but can anyone tell me if I have just seen a Sparrowhawk (3 times) sitting on the apex of the house opposite (Near Norris Bank school and Heatons Sports Club) I have been told they hang out on woodland but sometimes hunt in urban gardens. I used to watch the the Peregrine Falcons (i think) hunt the pigeons when I worked near the cathedral in the city centre but having a hawk close to home is, well, frankly quite exciting!!! A few nights ago we found the remains (feathers) of what looked like a pigeon on the front lawn. Could it be the hawk? Or more likely a cat? While I'm at it, I cant remember the last time I saw a sparrow or blue tit (we used to get loads).

Cheers, Carlos ; )

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