THE SEASON

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Birds of prey

When we think ‘birds of prey’ most of us would imagine the majestic likes of ospreys or golden eagle soaring over mountainous peaks. But the UK is home to many other species that fly into the category, some of which can be seen without having to put on your hiking boots. The sparrowhawk, for example, is compact but fierce looking and hunts in urban areas, scattering the starlings and tits sharpish if it lands on the garden fence. Buzzards are commonly spotted around the country hovering over farmland and can be recognised by their broad wings and striking similarity to an eagle. And the distinctively coloured, fork-tailed red kite (pictured), once seriously endangered, can now be seen swooping nonchalantly over much of central England