This time of year, you may have a visit to your garden by a sparrowhawk. Being territorial birds they will use your garden as a regular fly-through but in the colder months, when you are feeding the garden birds, this becomes easy pickings for them. Research indicates that the presence of sparrowhawks does not lead to a decline in garden bird species, challenging the common belief that sparrowhawks significantly reduce bird populations. It can be unsettling to watch a sparrowhawk with its prey, as it alternates between plucking and eating, rather than plucking the entire bird before consuming it. This often results in the prey being eaten while still alive, however, sparrowhawks have their own predators. Goshawks will prey on them, as they hunt and kill any bird smaller than themselves passing through their territory. Additionally, young sparrowhawks may fall victim to tawny owls.