i see sparrowhawks at least once a day sometimes umpteen times, they are not scare
not a lot of em around me either.. i'm sure in some places they are more common though.
its like deer around here, there's loads of them but ask any normal local and there surprised as they have never seen them, a good sunny day and you will be surprised if you look up how many spars are riding the thermals just like the buzzards, now kestrels are another matter they are seriously in decline
lots of kestrels here. i see em all the time whilst looking for sparrowhawks