Out and about in February

Photo credit: Joe Coulson

On my way to work today I saw a sparrowhawk. It flew low in front of my bicycle from the hedges, but at the last moment it swiftly turned around and disappeared among the conifers into the mist. And what a misty morning it was! A perfect kind of day to see them hunt. A few wingbeats and I could tell it was a musket, or a male sparrowhawk — much smaller than a female. He was only tiny, perhaps just over 100 grams, with perfect tail feathers, and of good colour. To see a healthy bird of prey this time of year is to know that despite all the bad weather and the lack of food it has made it through the toughest times. It's been through the natural selection and succeeded, and will most likely survive to see the spring, and perhaps even some loving and cuddling in the nest.

This week we had a phone call from our local ranger with the news that he had no objections to our Wild Take. This means that we have a good chance of getting a license, but it does not guarantee it.

But it didn't stop us searching our local woods for a wild sparrowhawk's nest.

Spars love mature conifers. They like water and seclusion. But like any bird of prey they leave signs around the area where they hunt and live. Plucking posts, feathers of prey they killed and ate, pellets, and around this time of year they also leave vocal clues as they prepare to mate. Looking for actual nests is a bit too early, so we searched for a plucking post - a place where spars regularly pluck and eat prey. There might be mutes (poop), feathers of birds they ate, and pellets around the site. Generally, it can also indicate that a nest is not too far, especially if there is a big mature conifer nearby. They are particularly fond of conifers with dense ivy, I heard.

We wondered and looked for hours but we found no signs of spar activity.

The woodland is really alive with birdsong though and one can't escape the fact that spring is on its way.

So if you live near a woodland, get your boots on and go explore! Have a look around, stop and listen, look under your feet for clues and signs and you might be rewarded with something interesting and unexpected.

We've had a few days of absolutely fabulous weather here in the West of Ireland. So we took our Pal to water for a bit of a paddle. And it was just perfect.