Rare Bird of Prey Goshawk Species Bounce Back Thriving From Supposed Extinction

Goshawks are a unique bird species that have recovered successfully after spending 120 years on the verge of extinction, according to experts.

Rare Goshawks

The rare bird species goshawk has recovered and is flourishing, according to experts. Forestry England has already recorded 45 pairs of goshawks since the first pair returned to the woodland in 2002.

Even though they spend the entire year in the New Forest, goshawks are famously elusive. They are known as the "phantoms of the forest" because of the way they discreetly hunt for prey while flying exceedingly quickly.

Andy Page from the organization predicted that the population would spread out over Hampshire and neighboring Dorset.

Before 2002, it was believed that the birds had been gone from the New Forest for 120 years.

The goshawk is a big hawk that is about the same size as a buzzard. It has a distinguishing white stripe above its bright red eyes.

The adults have a broad wingspan of approximately 135 to 165 cm, while the juveniles have a brown cap.

The male may capture a variety of prey from the same environment since he weighs between 600 and 1,100 grams less than the female, who weighs between 900 and 2,000 grams, according to ITV News.

Thriving Population

Hundreds of hours were spent observing mating activity and keeping an eye on nests by a team from Forestry England as they closely tracked population growth and breeding success in the woodland.

The successful rearing and fledging of three chicks by a couple of goshawks at the very peak of one of the forest's towering trees was seen using a nest camera.

It provided insight into the behavior of the birds, including how a male parent worried about the heat's impact on his young during a hot spell.

He spent a lot of time spreading his wings and providing shade for the chicks.

The nest camera's data also demonstrated that goshawks consume a wide range of prey, including squirrels, tiny birds, and small animals, all of which are carried into the nest to feed the young.

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Additionally, the team rings, measures, and weighs the chicks before they hatch to determine their health and whether or not the forest has the necessary conditions to support the population.

Rings found on the birds paint a picture of where the population is moving outside of the immediate area.

The nest camera's data also demonstrated that goshawks consume a wide range of prey, including squirrels, tiny birds, and small animals, all of which are carried into the nest for feeding the young. The larger female and smaller male's differing sizes enable them to access various sources of food, making sure their young are well fed.

Page estimated that there are already 45 pairs in the New Forest and that over the following ten years, the population will greatly increase throughout Hampshire and the surrounding Dorset, the Advertiser & Times reported.

Page claimed that their recovery was a genuine success for conservation. These birds provide valuable insight into the condition of the forest and the great variety of species it supports as a thriving apex predator, as per the BBC.