Comment

An adult goshawk in flight preparation. Picture by Mark Hamblin, RSPB images.

BIRD lovers can now view the secret lives of two stunning birds of prey in the New Forest until late summer thanks to live nestcam footage.

Visitors to the New Forest Reptile Centre near Lyndhurst will be able to see the goshawk and hobby as they build nests and raise their families until August 31.

The nestcam is a part of the "Aren't Birds Brilliant!" project launched on Saturday at the centre by the RSPB along with the New Forest National Park Authority, the Forestry Commission and Carnyx Films.

Dan Parkinson, RSPB project manager for "Aren't Birds Brilliant!" said: "Seeing these birds move through the air is something everyone should experience.

"During breeding season, goshawks perform incredible sky dances and hunt with breathtaking agility. Hobbies are also lightening quick - weaving in and out of trees and turning at almost impossible speeds.

He continued: "These birds are part of the rich and special wildlife of the Forest, something we are at pains to protect.

"We will be helping visitors ensure their presence causes the least disruption to nature possible.

"The great thing about the project is you don't even have to come to the Forest at all - anyone with Internet access can see these inspiring creatures first-hand, every day on our website." Known as the "phantoms of the forest", only 410 breeding pairs of goshawks exist in the UK, including those resident in the New Forest.

Their numbers were decimated during the 1800s due to hunting and trapping and they eventually became extinct as a UK breeding species. However, as some escaped or were released from captivity, the population began to grow; in fact, last year's New Forest female was an escapee herself, wearing tell-tale leather bands around her legs.

Although goshawks now have an increasing UK population, they still suffer persecution from egg and chick thieves and gamekeepers and, in some areas, goshawks have completely vanished from former strongholds.

Hobbies have also suffered persecution, but the UK population fares slightly better with around 2,200 breeding pairs. Both birds are now protected under UK law. Visitors to the New Forest Reptile Centre can view the birds via the nestcam daily, and members of the project team will be on hand between 10am to 4.30pm to assist or answer questions.

To view the footage from home visit the website www.newforestgateway.org.

12:37pm Thursday 17th April 2008

Print

Email this

Comment