Below is a blast from the past! I wrote the blog post on 1st January 2009. I decided to re-post it now because I am still getting people with sparrowhawk problems
If you don’t want to click on the link the actual 2009 article is shown below the link
http://birdtablenews.com/2009/01/sparrowhawk-numbers/
from 2009
I think the RSPB believe that all hawks should be protected.
I don’t believe that. Sparrowhawks seem to be coming more common and numerous.
Sparrowhawks have no natural enemies so if they take up residence in an area and raise young each year they will need food.
A gentleman in this area has seen sparrowhawks take song thrushes time after time. I think the Song Thrush numbers are under threat. The sparrowhawk is not
If the sparrowhawk is protected and has no naturel enemies then they will become common – and then maybe will not need protection.
I belong to the RSPB, but I have also joined Songbird Survival. Songbird Survival is a charity trying to stop the decline in bird numbers.
It believes that one of the reasons for the decline in bird numbers is uncontrolled predation.
So we have two opposing views. Interesting.
I’ll put more information on about Songbird Survival soon. Or you can just google Songbird Survival.