A cosy place – the meaning of a ‘nest’ or ‘home’ (part 2 of 5)
Northern goshawks are very hard to spot. The dense forest and and their relatively large foraging area, make pretty much every big tree a possible resting place. Hence, the low probability to see one. March is the month with the highest chance to see them very actively flighing over their territory. I was lucky to be around in the forest when this pair were making courtship flights. During these display flights goshawks engage in high-circling. Their ‘keckering’ call draws a lot of attention and indicates the start of the breeding season. Typical in March for a species that starts breeding early in the season.
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- Courtship flights
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- Courtship flights
As for birds, both females and males take care of the nest. the vicinity tends to be vigorously defended both to maintain rights to their nests and mates.
I don’t think I would have been aware of the nesting place if they would not have flown over like this – what a great place to have nest – in a forest in Berlin.