The nest of goshawks in this location in Riga has been known since 2016 – it is believed that the breeding couple moved here from another nest about 600 metres away. In the immediate vicinity of the nest there are both industrial objects, the sounds of which can often be heard, and private houses. The tree of the nest is located in a small wet area overgrown with weeds and shrubs. The nest is built in a black alder, which grows on the edge of a ditch. The goshawk has built his dwelling on the remains of a crow's nest. The metal wires twisted in the nest still evidence that the crow was a supporter of durable building materials.
The nest was controlled during this time and the nestlings were ringed in it. This couple, and especially the female, is known among the ornithologists for their special character – she tends to behave particularly aggressively and attack people when they are just approaching the nest. On the other hand, birds are accustomed to people and equipment operating behind the fence in the nearby industrial facility and do not pay attention to them. Interestingly, at the time the female laid her first egg, very close, about 50 m from the nest, a crow couple were building their own nest. Crows are a common food item for Goshawks, but it happens that hawks do not touch other nesting birds near their nest, and they make use of this safety zone.
In 2020 breeding was successful and two nestlings were raised in this nest.
The camera system was installed by Ģirts Strazdiņš, Arnis Zacmanis and Jānis Rudzītis. Thanks to SIA “Darba Spars” (https://www.darbaspars.lv) for cooperation!
It is difficult for me to distinguish between males and females. But I read that females are bigger here too.
Is it true that no food is brought into the nest during the breeding season?
I have not observed the female being fed.
08:24 The male (?) without food. Short sightseeing and away again.
I find the nest very sporadic. There is almost no soft nesting material. Of course, it will work but Goshawks seem to prefer the simple style.
11:54 the eggs are left alone.
I had almost ruled that out until then. It was already lucky that the parents moved completely up from the eggs at all.
I suspect that male sat until then.
It's four eggs, by the way.
Back 11:55.
Re: Goshawk nest in Riga 2020
Posted: April 14th, 2020, 5:45 pm
by Polly
12:02 Is it the female?
She comes even without food, plucks at his head...at his wing feathers - darling, time to go.
12:03 Change
Re: Goshawk nest in Riga 2020
Posted: April 14th, 2020, 8:28 pm
by Polly
*tired :)
*tailwind
*Chain Saw
Re: Goshawk nest in Riga 2020
Posted: April 15th, 2020, 12:33 pm
by Polly
April 15th
08:48 Change
It'll take me a while to tell the males from the females. I suspect the female is coming to replace the male.
This time no tender plucking of the feathers but the female tactic seems to be to nag and pushed her partner out of the nest.
08:56:01 Calls of the partner from a distance
I took a link to help... https://www.deutsche-vogelstimmen.de/habicht/?type1530
all the calls sound almost similar. I still think they were distress calls.
The female is still somewhat nervous in the nest for many minutes, looks around a lot and listens very carefully. Only later she becomes visibly more relaxed.
Re: Goshawk nest in Riga 2020
Posted: April 15th, 2020, 12:49 pm
by Polly
09:28 she meticulously and impatiently nests them on a soft piece of bark (?) It doesn't seem to fit anywhere well.
09:42 short call from the partner (?)
10:17:20 call, get up... She lies down again and scoffs the eggs.
The plumage is wet. Perhaps she would like to fly out.
10:32 Replacement comes into the nest - and flies away again with calls.
So no change.
Re: Goshawk nest in Riga 2020
Posted: April 15th, 2020, 7:25 pm
by Abigyl
Thanks for this nice nest with a beautiful couple.
Re: Goshawk nest in Riga 2020
Posted: April 15th, 2020, 9:42 pm
by Polly
In the meantime, I've been digging around in some information.
Dear neighbor forum ... again and I love greetings and thank you for your commitment.
(If anyone reads here - please correct me if I write/think something wrong)
We have here Lui (the male) and Boka (the female).
I noticed the interesting back of her head. The drawing of cross spiders came to my mind.
In fact, this drawing is really a distinguishing feature.
Lui has a wider grey horizontal stripe at the back of her head than Boka.
I could also read that this pair is very special.
Boka defends very aggressively.
My thought ...After the events of the last year we are a bit irritated about Goshawks.
They've been robbing...taking... ...me too.
I still want to get to know these animals (that's why!)
In any case, I am very curious about the colours and the atmosphere in sunlight.
This eternal wet grey puts a negative Karma on the nest and Boka is so brave ... . :)
Re: Goshawk nest in Riga 2020
Posted: April 18th, 2020, 11:11 pm
by Marbzy
18 April: One, two, three, four! All the eggs are present:
I'm just checking if everything's fine here.
I can't 'do' or even help with another nest, but my fingers are crossed for its success. I agree that witnessing last year's events, in particular the triple 'murder' of near-fledgelings in the Finnish osprey nest was heart-breaking, but there are no better or worse, beautiful or ugly species - there are different species with different survival strategies, and they all deserve our respect).
Re: Goshawk nest in Riga 2020
Posted: April 19th, 2020, 8:56 pm
by Polly
Marbzy
Yes, everyone is still there. :)
If I am properly informed, hatching is expected to begin between April 26th and 28th. Maybe earlier. The hatching area of these hawks is very large at 28 to 38 days.
Until then, I will continue to practice differentiating between Boka and Luijs. It is not easy. :)
Yes Marbzy, I was very moved last season. The hawks were predatory in many nests. I didn't want to accept why. I was angry.
A few days ago I left a member's post here to another nest. (Black Stork) We should take into account that the hawks also suffer from a lack of food, which makes them more aggressive. Yes, we shouldn't forget that.
I haven't posted many of my notes and photos in the past 2 days. I have very unfortunate working hours.
But I stay tuned.