Battle of the birds

It's currently a battle of the birds, with nesting beginning for many species and additional food required. At least the nectar eaters are able to look after themselves, with an abundance of blossoms and blooms in the garden at present. This is what the sunbirds are after:

We feed mixed grain to the red-eyed doves, ring-necked and turtle doves and this has allowed them to breed uninhibitedly, providing a good source of food for the various sparrowhawks and occasional peregrine falcon swooping in over the treetops and scaring the birds out of their wits, scattering in all directions. Here is the newest juvenile black sparrowhawk resting after another unsuccessful hunt,while a young pintailed whydah observes him from a nearby twig:

The doves have now been joined by a large flock of guinea fowl and they all enjoy a scratch and peck among the scraps thrown out for the porcupine in an effort to keep him out of my garden:

Keeping a watchful eye on the avian activity are the ever-vigilant Mango Kitty and Mr Bigglesworth, who caught an airborne dove with a glancing blow this morning, releasing an avalanche of feathers, but apparently no fatality.