Yes, it's actually a goshawk
We have been sent hundreds of pictures of "goshawks" in gardens. These all turn out to be sparrowhawks, which are much more common. However, we were sent a photo of an actual male goshawk in a garden. This was is Wales and the area looked quite wooded so seemed suitable. It made a welcome change to say, "yes it is a goshawk"
Birds and windows
We received lots of reports of all sorts of birds pecking at their reflections in windows this week. This included two reports from further a field including some sunbirds in the Gambia and what we think is a crested goshawk pecking on a hotel room window in Malaysia.
Where possible we recommend putting up window stickers on the outside of the glass to break up the birds field of view on approach and reduce the number of impacts.
Bird disease
Still reports of dead finches coming in due Trichomoniasis. We are also getting reports of great tits with avian pox.
Starlings
Starlings in roofs is usually a spring thing but we are being asked how best to prevent them roosting. They can legally be blocked out as long as they are not nesting. If the starlings are blocked out then we are suggesting installing a nestbox on the roof to provide them with an alternative site.
Conversely, we are getting lots of requests for the best places to see starling pre-roost displays where they can watch this “allelomimetic” behaviour. Apparently, that's what it's called when they all copy each other's movements. Every day's a school day in Wildlife Enquiries.
Other recent sightings
Woodcock sightings are being made across the country with them showing up in peoples gardens and park land, 72 were seen on Fair Isle yesterday (01/11).
We also took a report of a little egret sighted on the western isle of Benbecula (30/10).
The invasion of Redwing and Fieldfare continues en mass across the UK - report your sightings here.