Encounters of the Sparrowhawk kind

I treasure encounters with Sparrowhawks as they are quite secretive and alert birds which don't like being seen. Today I managed some sightings of a pair in my local park. First I heard a call 'kikikikiki!' and I saw a female landing on a tree. The view was quite obstructed and unfortunately, she flew off as I tried to get a better view. 

Then, a while later, in the same area I spotted the male. Not sure how, possibly a blue tit alarm call alerted me. He had some prey, what looked like a small bird, and was plucking it.

 He flew off, carrying the prey in his talons, and I wandered after him towards some big trees where he had disappeared. Then I saw the pair together, high up the crown of one of the largest trees in the park, a poplar (top shot). Fortunately the beautiful light made up for the distance to take some photos. The male started preening. I couldn't see if the female had the prey now. Male Sparrowhawks hunt for the female while she incubates.

The male at the top, smaller and with reddish tones in his plumage. The female at the bottom, all alert. Soon tree foliage will completely obscure views of these birds from the ground.

 On my way back from work I looked longingly at the poplar. No Sparrowhawks to be seen there. But then, beyond the tree, high in the sky, the pair was circling together, playfully chasing and soaring.