Accipiter nisus
March 28, 2001: Boggs Holdings, East Lothian, Scotland
A wonderful sighting, right in the garden. I happened to notice that there were NO birds at the feeders (which is quite unusual). A few minutes later, a second look out the window told me why . . . a small hawk was sitting on the garden wall, facing out over the yard at the side of the house. The bird had thick dark grey bands on the tail, and was brown with some reddish patches, especially on the nape. A very distinctly yellow eye, and there was a blue patch on the otherwise black beak. Not much bigger than a blackbird, but with a longer tail and yellow feet. All the while I was watching it, I assumed I was looking at a kestrel, based on the size of the bird. Plus, I’d been seeing kestrels near the roadside frequently. I resisted getting out my book until the bird had flown – instead, I spent the time (close to ten minutes) really studying the plumage, etc. Not long before it flew, I thought to myself that it was actually more accipiter-like, not like a falcon at all. So after the bird flew, I went to the book and realized I had not been looking at a kestrel, but at a sparrowhawk. I really enjoyed this bird.
July 19, 2001: Marine Terrace, East Lothian, Scotland
Spotted this bird in the garden. Saw it (or a different individual?) several times over the next few weeks. I usually find seeing birds of prey in the garden to be very exciting.
April 6, 2002: Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve, East Lothian, Scotland
Let me know what you think!