Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Black Sparrowhawk
The riches of Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve explained by Glenwood resident and chair of the Friends of Pigeon Valley.
This is the eleventh in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood. The focus of this article will be on the Black Sparrowhawk.
The raptor that dominates Pigeon Valley most of the time (when the Crowned Eagle is not around) is the Black Sparrowhawk. The unusual sighting of a pair side-by-side (taken by Richard Salmon) shows their sharp bill and talons. They are not all black and white – there is a rufous form with markings on its chest. Visitors will suddenly see one dash with great agility through the forest; the evidence of its effectiveness is usually a gathering of feathers on the ground, typically of a Red-eyed Dove or Tambourine Dove. Once though I saw one speed away with an unfortunate Purple-crested Turaco in its claws. Its piercing call reverberates through the reserve.
ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Common Forest Grape
Each year the Sparrowhawks nest along the northern edge of the reserve in winter. Once the young have headed towards adulthood the parents drive them away. However, there always seem to be juveniles around, and maybe this is because there is plenty of food in the area, so the reserve can accommodate more than one pair. A group of birders told me that they had startled a bird that dropped its prey on the ground – a headless Rock Dove (typically referred to as Pigeons). When I returned to the spot later, the body had been removed, so presumably it remembered where it had dropped it. Undoubtedly they hunt, possibly in a pair, near the harbour.
Recently at the northern fence I looked up to see a Black Sparrowhawk tidying its nest in preparation for winter. I will keep you posted as to their progress.
Crispin Hemson chairs the Friends of Pigeon Valley, a group that undertakes clearing of alien plants, keeps records of bird and mammal sightings and alerting management to any problems.
The Friends have a monthly walk at 7.30am on the second Saturday of each month. Email: friendsofpigeonvalley1@gmail.com.
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