Injured Sparrowhawk is brought to us

This beautiful bird was brought in to us yesterday.   She is a sparrowhawk and has an injured wing so she can’t fly.   We think she is a youngster and a female (they are larger than the males) – a sparrowhawk is a challenge to rear and care for.  They are very nervous birds have to be kept quiet and not stressed in any way.   So far she hasn’t taken any chick but has had a sliver of raw meat overnight so that is something.   They are used to eating small birds or mice so we’ll try a ‘pinkie’ (baby mouse) later on today.

Sparrowhawks are quick, agile birds and fierce hunters.  They live in woodlands and also hunt in gardens.  Some years ago their numbers declined because of being poisoned through chemicals in farming but they are on the rise again now and are no longer endangered.  To watch a sparrowhawk soaring in the sky is a wonderful experience.   It’s amazing to see this lovely bird up so close.   We are hoping to get her eating well which is the first step, and then flying and then we can release her.  That’s the plan anyway and to disturb her by our presence as little as possible.