|
|
|
|
Goshawk Breeding In S. Gloss
|
|
|
For obvious reasons the exact location of the Goshawk breeding site will be withheld from all enquires. |
|
|
In the spring and summer of 2008 the first breeding record of Goshawk in S. Gloucestershire was witnessed by several observers when a pair successfully raised a brood of two chicks at an undisclosed location inside the present recording area boundary. In 2009 a pair are again breeding successfully at the same site and are now in the process of rearing young.
In South Gloucestershire the first documented reference of this magnificent woodland raptor comes from as recently as 1989 when a female was observed near Thornbury on June 25th. Since then Goshawk has been noted on just thirteen occasions over the intervening twenty year period.
In the UK Goshawk became extinct in the 19th century because of specimen collectors and persecution by gamekeepers, but in recent years has re-established a foothold through immigration from Europe, escapes and deliberate releases.
The name Goshawk comes from the Old English word 'góshafoc' meaning 'goose-hawk' and may refer to this bird's barred plumage as well as its ability to take large prey; also the Middle English 'goshauk'. Some historical names for Goshawk include; Great Hawk and Tiercel.
The Goshawk - Accipiter gentilis, is a medium/ large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes other diurnal raptors, such as Eagles, Buzzards and Harriers. It is a widespread species that inhabits the temperate parts of the northern hemisphere. It is mainly resident, but birds from colder regions of migrate south for the winter. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema Naturae in 1758 under its current scientific name. The Goshawk appears on the flag of the Azores. The archipelago of the Azores, Portugal, takes its name from the Portuguese language word for Goshawk, (açor), because the explorers who discovered the archipelago thought the birds of prey they saw there were Goshawks; later it was determined that these birds were in fact Common Buzzards (Buteo buteo rothschildi). |
|
|
|
|
|
Description: |
Goshawk is the largest member of the genus Accipiter. It is a raptor with short, broad wings and a long tail, both adaptations to manoeuvring through trees in the forests it lives and nests in. The male is blue-grey above and barred grey below, 49–57cm long with a wingspan of 93–105cm. The female is much larger, 58–64cm long with a wingspan of 108–127cm, slate-grey above and grey below. Males can weigh as little as 630 grams, whereas females can weigh as much as 2 kg. The juvenile is brown above and barred brown below. The flight is a characteristic 'five slow flaps – straight glide'. |
|
|
|
|
Confusion Species: |
In Eurasia, the male is sometimes confused with a female Sparrowhawk, but is larger, much bulkier and has relatively longer wings. |
|
|
|
|
Hunting Habits: |
Goshawk hunts birds and mammals in woodland, relying on its speed of flight through the dense forest as it flies from a perch or hedge-hops to catch its prey unaware. They are usually opportunistic predators, as are most birds of prey. The most important prey species are birds, especially pigeons and doves, and passerines. Waterfowl up to the size of the Mallard are sometimes preyed on. Prey is often smaller than the hunting hawk, but these birds will also rarely kill much larger animals, up to the size of hares and rabbits. |
|
|
|
|
Breeding Season: |
In the spring breeding season, Goshawk has a spectacular 'rollercoaster' display, and this is the best time to see this secretive forest bird. At this time, the surprisingly gull-like call of this bird is sometimes heard.
Adults return to their nesting territories by March or April and begin laying eggs in April or May. These territories almost always include tracts of large, mature trees that the parents will nest in. The clutch size is usually two to four, but anywhere from one to five eggs may be laid. The eggs average 59mm × 45mm and weigh about 60g.
The incubation period can range from 28 to 38 days. The young leave the nest after about 35 days and start trying to fly another 10 days later. The young may remain in their parents' territory for up to a year of age. Adults defend their territories fiercely from everything, including passing humans, so even the eggs have few predators. |
|
|
|
|
The S. Gloss Goshawks... the story so far... |
|
|
|
|
|
In 2008 the adults established a territory in early spring and started nest building in March and April. Several eggs were laid in April/ May and incubation started. Incubation took place and two young hatched towards the end of May into early June. Both birds were successfully reared and fledged. |
|
|
|
|
|
2009: |
|
|
|
|
|
June 21st: |
News of Goshawk breeding again in S. Gloss broke on June 21st with the message reading... 'Goshawks are successfully breeding in our area and are rearing chicks. For the safety of these birds the location will be kept closely guarded'... |
|
|
|
|
June 24th: |
This evening regular food deliveries to the nest were observed and chicks are heard begging for food. |
|
|
|
|
June 26th: |
Observers on site today believe that up to three chicks may be in the nest. |
|
|
|
|
July 6th: |
The three chicks are all now fully feathered, exercising continuously in the nest and are expected to fledge any day. |
|
|
|
|
July 8th: |
All three chicks were branching today and taking small flights from branch to branch. |
|
|
|
|
July 12th: |
All three young have fledged and left the nest and could be heard calling throughout the territory. |
|
|
|