It gives another new meaning to the phrase pigeon fancier as two sparrowhawks are dramatically photographed catching something for tea.

These impressive photos of two separate sparrowhawks catching a pigeon and a sparrow, were taken in Carshalton by budding photographers David Gibson and Hilary Sinclair.

Mr Gibson, 72, of Denmark Gardens, captured the birds on on his camera right outside his front door.

He said: “I was sitting outside and heard a crash against the fence. I thought it was a football coming over but it was two birds fluttering around.

“I rushed inside and got my camera. They were still there when I got back but the pigeon was a bit of a handful for the bird and managed to break free and fly away.”

Hilary Sinclair, of Colston Avenue, said: “Looking out into our back garden we saw a flurry in our bamboo and were amazed to see the bird land on our archway, with a sparrow in his talons, which he proceeded to spend the next 15 minutes devouring.

“Until now in our suburban semi-detached, near Carshalton station, the most exciting avian visitor was a greater spotted woodpecker, which spent several days drumming on a shrub, presumably for the ants.”

Bird expert and photographer Peter Alfrey, of Beddington Farm Bird Group, identified the birds’ captor as a sparrowhawk.

He said: “These photos are amazing and very unusual. Sparrowhawk normally prey on small birds.

“It looks like it is struggling with the pigeon and could have bitten off more than it could chew.”

“The sparrowhawk is a widespread and fairly common bird,but you often have to be quick to see one as they dart low over gardens, hoping to pounce on a surprised garden bird. The readers were particularly lucky to see one so well.”

Have you seen any unusual wildlife? Get in touch on 020 8330 9544 or email cfox@london. newsquest.co.uk.