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I found a male sparrowhawk hanging from the roof of one of our chicken runs earlier this evening. I have no idea how he got in as the chickens were fine when I locked them into their houses at 4.30pm but the sparrowhawk was there at 6.30pm. I managed to get a couple of photos before shepherding him out into the night. (And yes, the chickens are fine!)

There are a couple of large photos on my blog.

Our boys found it very challenging to be both excited and calm at the same time as I photographed the sparrowhawk and then shepherded him out. As for Harvey, our Border Terrier, he had to be tied up well away from the chicken runs as he knew very well that sparrowhawks, along with crows, goshawks, weasels and foxes, are not allowed in with the chickens.

Fabulous photos! Was he hanging there naturally? I've seen them here but very briefly as they are so fast!

Yes, the sparrowhawk was just hanging there. We were very careful not to disturb him while I took a couple of photos. He dropped to the ground when I went into the run with a sheet of hessian to herd him out, so I stopped and took a few more photos. Our boys joked that the sparrowhawk had "issues" and really wanted to be a bat.

Sparrowhawks can fly through some dense hedging - I watched one fly through the holly in our front garden and out the other side with what it went in for, a sparrow.
Not seen one around for a bit but then it is only just daylight when I leave for work and dark when I'm going home these days.

And lovely pictures by the way

Brilliant pics - houdini hawk acting batty - quite amazing

Fab photos Stony, did you work out how he got in there?

No, we didn't find out how the hawk entered the run. He's definitely Houdini Hawk.

I know Sparrow Hawks can fly through and hunt in dense hedges. Pulling up the wire and squeezing underneath wouldn't trouble them too much but I am sure you checked all that. Very strange. Great pics though.