Goshawks in Lincolnshire?
Goshawk Boultham Mere October 14th 2001 © S.Botham
Steve Botham writes;
'As you can see from the photo, the large size,broad based wings, pigeon like full chest and relatively small head all point to Goshawk, I think a juvenile, we saw it well as it circled but fairly distant, the legs were tucked into the feathers but there was nothing hanging down to say it was captive, we have had a few records in recent years including a male video'd 2 years ago by a visiting birder.'
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Comments so far.......
Posted 10th December 2001
The Gokewell Priory/ Broughton area just east of Scunthorpe holds a male and a female, a possible pair which appear to have held territory for several years. I've been very fortunate to have observed both.
After sustained watching of the area this autumn, my observations correspond with those of a local gamekeeper. The area has a large Woodpigeon and Pheasant population, Peregrines are regular and in fact up to 3 birds are usually present most evenings at the Corus (steelworks) Sinter Plant Starling roost along with several Sparrowhawks. The Peregrines often fly in during late afternoon and invariably head off west, over the old open cast mine workings towards the steelworks.
I have to warn birders that Goshawks are very, very secretive and one cannot predict sightings. They can be present in a particular area for years, without being noticed.
I've spoken to people who reckon that the area is "not right for Goshawks". They are here and so it is right !
Dave JohnsonAlthough I don't generally disagree with what you say about female Goshawks, they are not usually the problem. The main confusion arises between the male Goshawk and large female Sparrowhawks. If you can sort that little problem out, the female Goshawks will look pretty obvious.
Posted 29th October 2001.
I thought I would offer a few pointers to the identification of Goshawk to help Lincs birders who are interested in checking for the presence of Goshawk in their own area. Goshawks are rare in Lincs, but not as rare as some assume. These pointers are derived from my own personal experience of the species. Goshawks, when soaring show long, broad wings. The female is almost Buzzard size. When gliding however they show shorter, more pointed wings, with a kink in the rear edge reminiscent of a very large Peregrine. They have a dumpy body, with a protruding chest, a long tail with a rounded tip, in contrast to a Sparrowhawk which shows a square cut tip Their flight is direct, unlike the erratic flight of a Sparrowhawk, with powerful wingbeats, shallower and more springier than the latter. Adults look greyish and their underparts look washed out, as did the bird observed at close range at Gokewell by Mr R Hebb and myself on Oct. 22nd. An adult female therefore, should not be confused with a Common Buzzard which never looks grey. The Goshawk has a totally different profile to a Sparrowhawk and almost immediately you will know you are not looking at the latter. If a birder observes a hawk species at a distance and asks, "is this a Sparrowhawk or a Goshawk ?" 99 % of the time it will be Sparrowhawk. I urge Lincs birders who have a passion for raptors to spend more time out in the field in pursuit of this secretive and impressive bird and would be interested to hear of any possible sightings.
Dave Johnson, Scunthorpe
Posted 24th October 2001.
On Monday Oct 22nd at 13.45 Mr Roger Hebb and myself observed at close range, a male Goshawk at Gokewell near Broughton North Lincs. We were alerted by a small party of Common Gulls, suddenly taking flight from a nearby ploughed field. The bird appeared above the southern end of Santon Wood, soared round briefly before heading straight towards us in a southerly direction and flew virtually over our heads on a direct course. We therefore obtained excellent views. This is probably the same male that I saw very briefly on Oct. 8th. On Sept. 3rd I had a female soaring over the same area and had good views of that, before it plunged over the edge of the old open cast mine workings. I was fortunate to obtain such views, especially in Lincolnshire. Goshawks are secretive birds. I have spent hours studying them at distance in the Derwent reservoir area, but never obtained such views as these. There appears to be some scepticism regarding Lincs Goshawk reports. My point is this. Goshawks are in Lincolnshire. This is now fact and anyone who doubts, aught to get off their backsides and get out into the field ! Birders are going to have to face the facts eventually. I put hundreds of hours in raptor watching, perhaps sceptics should do the same !
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