Sparrowhawks

[Tordan58]

Sharing some photos of Sparrowhawks taken during the autumn raptor migration in Falsterbo. On a good day when the wind is favorable, there could be hundreds or even thousands of them.

These fast raptors appear out of nowhere so you need to be on your toes to get a decent photo.

Sometimes they will land and rest for a few moments. With some caution, you can approach them within 20 meters or so.

Thanks for looking,
Tord

[wanderer]

What really annoys me is that you make me want to visit Sweden at migration time.
Cracking photos.
One shot passed us yesterday but as I was driving at 80kmph I was unable to do anything other than observe.
Also yesterday the grey geese came down from Iceland. Saw the first couple of hundred at 1030 passing over at 1500m and several more skeins later in the day.

[Tordan58]

What really annoys me is that you make me want to visit Sweden at migration time.
Cracking photos.
One shot passed us yesterday but as I was driving at 80kmph I was unable to do anything other than observe.
Also yesterday the grey geese came down from Iceland. Saw the first couple of hundred at 1030 passing over at 1500m and several more skeins later in the day.

Hi Wanderer,

Let me know if you are seriously planning to visit the place and I can give you some hints and directions.

Here you can find the statistics for the individuals that were counted at Falsterbo/Nabben (the S/W point of Sweden): https://www.falsterbofagelstation.se...strack_ram.htm

Missing from the stats are the hundreds of millions of songbirds that migrate nighttime. Those that don't make the crossing across the Baltic before dawn are fair game for the Sparrowhawks.

Cheers
Tord

[Barr1e]

A great series - thanks.

[IainMacD]

Great set of shots Tordan. Where do they migrate to?

[HerrBill]

Lovely images. You were certainly well positioned to capture such cracking photos. Any chance of sharing your setting?

[blackfox]

super set and sharp to

[Tordan58]

Hi Bill,

These were taken with the E-M1.2 and m.Zuiko 300 F/4 @F/4

For the BIF I used CAF, 5x5 focus points, AF sensitivity -2, 1/2500s ISO 250... 400 exposure + 2/3 EV.

For the perched bird I switched to SAF single small AF point. ISO 200 1/800s

Cheers Tord

[wornish]

Superb set. Cant say more.

[Phill D]

Magic as always Tord.

[Tordan58]

Great set of shots Tordan. Where do they migrate to?

Hi,

Most of the Nordic Sparrowhawks migrate (since the food supply depletes) to SW Europe and will return in March... May.

Cheers
Tord

[HerrBill]

Interesting settings, Tord. Thanks for posting them