Baby Sparrowhawk rescued from the middle of the road in Braxhall, Suffolk…
Message received from Tamian in Framlingham late last night with a picture of a baby bird of prey she and her son had picked up from the middle of the road in Braxhall. She was not sure whether to feed it, give it water or how best to keep it safe. Advised her that she should not provide food or water at this stage as she could do more harm than good and, as she was in bed, arranged to meet up in the morning to transfer the bird into my care. We met halfway, at Hintlesham, and, when inspecting the bird, not sure whether Braxhall is a Kestrel or a Sparrowhawk as, at this age, they look very similar. Brought him home, hydrated, medicated and eventually fed him, which he ate with gusto. And what could be better, after all this disruption, than to cuddle up with your own Pooh Bear for a long sleep. Once I could inspect him properly, the legs are too long, elegant and strikingly slim for a Kestrel and the head is more hawk-like, so the consensus is Sparrowhawk. We will get confirmation once the feathers grow but they look rather dark at the moment, which would also indicate Sparrowhawk. When Tamian picked him up, she could see no sign of a nest or siblings so, as she travels this way regularly, have asked her to keep an eye out for any other siblings. Will continue to feed this sweet boy little and often and try to get him on an even keel. I’m a big fan of Sparrowhawks so it is a pleasure to help this little guy grow up and eventually be released back into the wild, where he belongs…
UPDATE : Sadly the baby Sparrowhawk took a turn for the worse this afternoon, regurgitated his food and, despite taking him straight to my Vet, when he was examining him Braxhall passed away. So sad. Fly free little one…
