Nature red in tooth and claw

Sometimes life plays out it's most dramatic moments right in

front of you. Sitting quietly at the computer yesterday there

was a huge thump upstairs as a Sparrow Hawk took a Magpie

mid flight and slammed it into the bedroom window spiralling

down to the patio. I got up, looked out and the Sparrow Hawk

took fright, flew a few yards and watched both me and the injured

Magpie. It soon returned and a fight commenced ending up on

the lawn where the Hawk used it's skills to win the day.

It's not often you see a Sparrow Hawk take a bird its own size,

least of all a Magpie which, let's face it, is a tough bird.