Where to see Goshawks

[mickster1978]

Hello again. 2 posts in 5 mins!!

I was also wondering if people knew of anywhere decent to see Goshawks in England.

Would really like to try and see one this year, as its about the only British Bird of Prey that I havent seen!!

Appreciate people might not want to give specific locations, but private message me if you dont want to put it on a board. Or a general area would be helpful!!

Thanks all.

[darrenm]

You could try the Welbeck raptor watch point in Nottinghamshire but its best early in the year and the views are normally fairly distant due to being on a very private estate and very BOP friendly keepers and managers but a scope or a decent set of bins does the trick and you can watch from the car from a well known birding layby and hotspot.

Look at Where to watch Birds, East Midlands, by Rob Frey and your local library should be able to get you a copy. You may also pick up Honey Buzzard in this area later in the year and a whole host of other woodland species.

If in the area it's always worth trying for Hawfinch at Clumber or Rufford and a whole host of Woodland species too Some other details are on Notts Birders website of surrounding places to visit.

Hope this was of some use

[Harold Smith]

Hallo Mickster1978,

You don't mention were you are located so it could be a long journey for you.

There are plenty of Goshawks in the Forest of Dean. If you visit the New Fancy viewpoint you are almost certain to see a Goshawk.

Regards,

Harold.

[ChrisJB]

The Derwent Valley in the Peak District is an excellent site to watch displaying goshawks early morn'. The area erroneously referred to as Windy Corner is a good place to start (grid ref' SK 168927). Not far from Pickering in the North Riding is good location too, the raptor watchpoint is in Wykeham Forest. There is much info' on the location on the internet. In season honey buzzards can be seen here too. Both these sites are in the public domain.

Regards, Chris

[Batfalcon]

Mickster,

New Fancy in the Forest Of Dean is not a bad place to see a Goshawk but they are often quite distant. Symonds Yat Rock in the forest has now become a better place to see Goshawks up close. They are frequently seen soaring up from the trees, particularly when the sun comes out!

I have spent a lot of time there recently, the new Peregrine pair are amazing and are producing some breathtaking stoops from great heights .

Sparrowhawks, Buzzards and Kestrels are also frequently seen around the rock, as well as the odd Hobby.