A controversial hunter has been spotted lurking in back gardens in Walthamstow.

Swooping through the air and grabbing smaller birds with its razor sharp talons – the once on the brink of extinction sparrowhawk has been wowing residents in the borough.

Mentioning the small hunter risks stirring up a passionate reaction from bird lovers as the species is often ‘vilified’ due to its diet.

Sparrowhawks are often blamed for the decline of a number of smaller species including the sparrow and some species of pigeon.

However, the Royal Society for Protection of Birds says it is not a ‘stamina hunter’ and often preys on the weak or old, not preferring a particular kind of bird.

Just a few decades ago the bird was almost never seen in the UK after the use of pesticides proved fatal for them.

By the end of the 1950s the bird was a rare sight.

Now, there is an estimated 35,000 breeding pairs in the UK - it is not known exactly how many of these inhabit Waltham Forest.

Adult male sparrowhawks have bluish-grey back and wings and orangey-brown bars on their chest and belly while the larger females and young birds have brown back and wings, and brown bars underneath.

They have bright yellow or orangey eyes, long, yellow legs and long talons and are skilled woodland hunters.

Charlotte Cole who lives in Carr Road, Walthamstow, spotted one in her garden this week.

She said: “It is the first time I've seen a sparrowhawk. It's just stunning.

“I took the photos to show my dad, who is a keen bird watcher, and he identified it for me. “It was in the garden for a few minutes. At first it just looked around, then when it next came back it was eating a small bird - possibly a robin.”