Displaying Northern Goshawks and where to see them in 2002

By Lee G R Evans

March is the best month of the year in which to observe Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis in Britain and this weekend just passed (2nd-3rd March) with its clear blue skies and light winds saw activity at a premium at the country’s premier site in the Forest of Dean (Gloucestershire). 

I was one of over 50 birders that visited the forest on Saturday and was overwhelmed by the sheer number of birds to be seen and of the quality of the views. The Forest of Dean in its entirety has a population of at least 22 breeding pairs of Northern Goshawks, and in recent years has enjoyed bumper productivity. New Fancy View to the NE of Parkend benefits from having a high vantage point overlooking the forest in all directions and as such overlooks the territories of many of the pairs. 

On Saturday, Goshawk activity commenced from about 10.00am and continued unabated until skies clouded over at 2.00pm. A minimum of 12 different birds were seen, including 7 birds in the air at one time at midday and one sighting of five birds circling together. There was much display activity, with ‘sky-dancing’ and tumbling being observed, and much flashing of the white undertail-coverts. Both sexes were involved in the display, and the undulating flight and slow-flapping often continued for up to ten minutes at a time. A vast variation in size was noted, with some males barely larger than a large female Sparrowhawk and some females approaching the size of a Common Buzzard. At least three sub-adults were also observed, including very close views of a bird in its second-calendar year. Although many of the birds were displaying or flighting over distant ridges, several individuals flew to within 100 yards of the vantage point and afforded absolutely magnificent views. Some were so close that Ian Lewington was able to catch them on video! 

Very few Sparrowhawks are resident at this site and chances are that any Accipiter species encountered will turn out to be a Goshawk. Display activity generally lasts for about five weeks, with clear blue skies and light winds being the optimum conditions for observation. There is no site in the UK that can come close to New Fancy View for seeing Goshawks and I thoroughly recommend all birders to make the effort to enjoy such a breathtaking spectacle. 

New Fancy View is situated 5 miles north of Lydney and 2 miles NE of Parkend. It comprises of a public car park and is located at SO 628 095 (OS Landranger Map 162). The viewpoint is a steep climb from the car park taking 4-5 minutes to progress. 

A Great Grey Shrike wintering nearby is an added bonus, this bird favouring the clearings close to the Spruce Ride at SO 636 110. Park at SO 621 118 and walk SE for 1.45 miles along the Spruce Ride to the T-junction. Turn left along the obvious ride and view the clearing on the right after 400 yards. It often commutes to the clearing at the top of the ridge at SO 642 110. 

Firecrests can also be found nearby, frequenting the tall conifers close to the main information centre at Nagshead RSPB reserve (SO 606 087) and small numbers of Hawfinches have been seen at Moseley Green (by the Rising Sun pub) and from New Fancy View watchpoint. Good numbers of Common Ravens are now also resident in the Forest. 

As a result of deforestation and persecution, the Northern Goshawk was exterminated in Britain by the late 19th century, with only sporadic breeding thereafter. It was not until the early 1960’s, when a number of imported falconer’s birds escaped or were purposefully released that the species returned to our woodlands. The majority of these initial birds were small birds from Central Europe, whereas those that became established from 1969-1975, were much larger and paler birds from the Fennoscandian population. The re-establishment of the population was slow to expand, as by 1980 only 60 pairs had become established. This poor reproduction rate continued throughout the 1980’s but with a sharp decline in persecution and well-keepered estates from 1990, numbers have burgeoned. The current population is estimated to be in the region of 800 pairs, with pairs now well established from Sussex to Devon along the South Coast and from Inverness-shire south to Bedfordshire. Wales has particularly proved productive for the species.