Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus
Overview
The Sparrowhawk is the woodland bird-hunter of the Sefton Coast. It hunts by surprise — flying fast along hedgerows and tree lines, using cover to get close before the final burst of speed. Males are small with barred orange underparts and slate-grey back; females are much larger and brown-backed. They hunt through the Formby pinewoods and along the dune scrub edges. Garden birds disappear suddenly and silently when a Sparrowhawk is in the area.
At a Glance
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Habitat | Coniferous woodland · Mixed woodland edge · Hedgerow · Dune scrub |
| Diet | Small to medium birds — takes anything from Blue Tit to Wood Pigeon |
| UK population | Around 35,000 pairs; amber-listed |
| Sefton Coast | Resident in the pinewoods and dune scrub; regular throughout the Sefton Coast |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Formby pinewoods and any woodland edge on the Sefton Coast. Hunts along hedgerows at speed.
Identification
Small to medium hawk. Short wings, long tail. Male: slate-grey above, orange-barred below, yellow eye. Female: larger, brown above, brown-barred below, yellow eye. Fast, dashing flight along cover with flap-flap-glide action.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Watch the edge of the Formby pinewoods on a quiet morning. A sudden silence and scattering of small birds is often the first sign. Sparrowhawks soar on thermals in autumn passage.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Sparrowhawks hunt gardens?
Garden bird feeding concentrates prey in predictable locations. Sparrowhawks learn to exploit bird tables by flying at speed along fences and walls, using the element of surprise. The same individual can visit the same garden for years, often hunting at the same times each day. The Sparrowhawk is not a 'problem' in gardens — it is a natural predator in balance with prey populations.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.