Battle of the birds

Scourge of the bird feeder and a master of ‘shock and awe’ assassinations, the sparrowhawk pursues its quarry with such tenacity and unpredictability that it often blindsides its prey

PHOTOS, LETTERS, TWEETS, QUESTIONS – HAVE YOUR SAY

The marsh harrier, with its effortlessly slow and floating signature manoeuvre, is so enjoying its UK comeback that it now stays with us all year round

Photographing a single subject repeatedly can be just as rewarding as chasing ‘ticks’, writes Rob Read

Birds of prey in flight have a reputation for being very tough to identify. However, follow these guidelines and you have a good chance of telling these five larger species apart. Note photos are not to scale.

Most wildlife crime happens in remote places, making walkers the most likely witnesses. Here’s how to recognise the signs – and help bring the perpetrators to justice