Sparrowhawk feeding

I was pleased to read Peter Adams’ interesting contribution in the August edition of Bird Watching on the subject of Sparrowhawk feeding. It reminded me of a fascinating sight years ago when I found myself within a few yards of a young Sparrowhawk attacking and plucking a domestic pigeon in the gutter of a busy town centre street. The pigeon however managed to fly across the street; the Sparrowhawk sought to follow, but the traffic caused it to land on the road, and it briefly alighted on a van waiting at traffic lights. Later it resumed its attack on the pigeon in a doorway, until the pigeon appeared dead. The Sparrowhawk pecked at it voraciously, swinging it in the air at times. It was astonishing that the Sparrowhawk seemed so oblivious to its surroundings and many people nearby. It certainly must have been hungry. Ralph Cole