Goshawk nest in Riga 2020 - 2021

[Polly]

Good evening Emiliano

I've been winding the day with 2 tablets for 4 hours ... my papers are well filled with notes.
Somehow the day belonged to the crows.

There were many calls, many dear 'gjaks' ... energetic calls and apparently also visits to the tree. A few times I noted rustles, cracks, and movements in the tree with nearby calls. But I never saw one of our H's in the nest once.

Today I am a little unsure whether it will not remain that they have found each other. And how strongly this bond has already been strengthened.
They are currently 'playing' for me.

It wouldn't matter if it was too late for breeding this year. At some point the intensity of the hormones will also be regulated. I am happy to find this couple alone. Both are super strong character goshawks.

The pairing ... I heard them too. The two are often very loud.
For a long time I feared that I would not be able to recognize a pairing acoustically. And how you can!

18:36:37 - 53 also pairing noises

Maybe something else will happen today, but I'll close slowly and let myself be surprised tomorrow. I hope.

Good night!

[Emi7]

We are having a nice experience, the fact that we continue to have mating every day is a very good sign that everything is moving forward, maybe in 10 days they can start putting sticks in the nest, which is what is missing. Laying dates are given until May and here with a late formation of a couple we could be at it.

What the books tell is true but not the whole truth: Young people raising successfully in their first year are not so rare even if it is not normal.

We still waiting .

Good night

[Emi7]

Hello

Again, here the couple after some day of silence.

12:36:35 to 12:39:28 Male in the nest, "piaditas" looks at the female who is nearby and calling. She goes to the branch. The female goes from branch to branch and leaves.

They are still in heat but are delayed and although the nest is already built they do not bring sticks or make a bowl. ?

[Polly]

April 9th

Hello Emiliano
I rewound with 2 tablets yesterday and searched ... it was frustrating. Nothing ... absolutely nothing!
The highlight only in the evening. I saw a fire burn.



I was a little surprised. For my observation, this piece of land does not belong to any private property. You never see anyone there and I can't see any way there. For me it was 'wild terrain'.
The exception was some time ago. Was there always the same person to be seen, apparently looking for something or cleaning up?

I have finished work and start looking now.

Thanks for your timestamps !!!! That's a lot more than yesterday.

I'm currently at 06: 44/45. (The second tablet runs live - unless I'm writing)
Noises in the tree but no sighting.

[Polly]

I don't know what it means, the crows have even been present in the nest so often by now.
Even today they have been in the tree a lot and also in the nest. These crows seem very secure, although often during the day their displeasure shows that they have competition. Goshawks?

ps: The fireplace in the forest again today (12:43)


11:02 Calls from far
12:33:05 - 10 calls very close
12:35:40 - 36:02 A Goshawk is calling in the tree, a second a little further away.
12:36:33 A short, quiet call away from outside the nest tree. This is followed by the call of the goshawk in the tree and at the same time H44 jumps into the nest.



His diligent work is unmistakable. H44 is fidgety.
He straightens branches, chirps with his female and fights for position in the nest. The wind is terrible today.



Twitter with H21


12:38:19 H44 jumps onto the upper branch
12:38:42 He flies away and H21 follows like on a rubber band. Both call.
12:39:27 Now H21 also leaves the tree.

[Polly]

H44


H21

They still spend time together. That's great.
Maybe they are so smart and wait for the final spring. Then only her hormone level needs a push up ... .

I don't know if it's that correct but I let the females molt during the brood. It was also good to see at Boka.
It would have been very exciting to watch the moulting of H21 ... from youth dress to adult dress. It would have been a good option.
If I understood it right


Otherwise I found nothing but crows and insecure shouts.

I'm going to sleep. The alarm clock is going to ring again.
Good night!

[Emi7]

Hello

There they are, I think they are together and with enough hormones. H44 looks at her rapt, she also places a stick. Another thing is that they decide and are more often in the nest.

I love the "piaditas", and the movement on the sides of the head and the body, sometimes with little steps to one side and the other, is a real dance.

As for the molt, the female starts it earlier, taking advantage of the fact that she is lying in the nest but it takes a long time and they usually finish it the following year with a break in winter. It has to be slow so as not to lose flight qualities when they need it most. Especially the male.

To enjoy the moments that they give us since later it will not be the same. If they end up breeding, the better.

Good night and see you tomorrow.

[Polly]

I love the "piaditas", and the movement on the sides of the head and the body, sometimes with little steps to one side and the other, is a real dance.

Nicely described Emiliano, really.

H44 is the first adult goshawk that I look at very softly. He has an innocent and graceful charisma.
And his actions radiate that he is ready to learn everything that needs to be done. C86, his father ... also a Goshawk with a very intense charisma. I hope he stays here.

This 'dance' can also be seen very nicely with Diamond and Xavier, a pair of kestrels.
These are moments that are seldom shared at Goshawks. Usually they are often only mentioned in connection with the predation of chickens etc. Or there are reports of use for hunting. Goshawks are often victims of one-sided portrayal.
The warm moments are rare. Possibly also because they live so covertly. It is really valuable to be able to observe these birds from other, unfamiliar perspectives.
Thanks Emiliano for the execution of the Mauser. I was aware that it is not a short-term process, but if they remain owners of the nest, we can optically introduce new H's.

[Emi7]

Hello

Follow the activity


15:41 to 15:45 On branch with prey.
17:45:19 Distant sound.
17:45:40 Sounds close.
17:48:16 Mating.
17:50:50 to 17:56:20 Female ,( sorry is male) in nest and branch.

[Polly]

I've been following since I left work.
Hopefully I can do it all ... I'm totally exhausted and my family wants to be fed.

Thanks Emiliano. The timestamps make it easier.

Report very late today. So much love takes time.

[Emi7]

Again, in nest, male and then female. There is also a mating at 18:55

18:52 to 19:02 and continues ...

[Polly]

I'll start.
My notes are confused. I am just realizing that I cannot read my own writing. I try to make the best of it.

10:27 Calls can be heard in the distance
11:20 A wave of fury from the crows Short call Goshawk and magpies are also involved?
11:20:51 Goshawk can be heard very clearly
11:21:31 - 35
11:23:53 - 57 too
(Not guessing but not 100%. The background noise was enormous. Crows, magpies and Jay all called)

[Polly]

11:25:40
11: 25: 42 - 44 an angry goshawk
His reputation is waning. My guess - he's chasing the crows.

[Polly]

Then there are calls
11:39:36-41 I think from the tree.
11:39:59 - 40:11 Secondly, both of our H's

[Polly]

12:54:49 There are crows in the tree, definitely
12:55:48 - 56 curiously now one of our H's calls from the tree or very close
12:58:23 clapping wings - crows

They tolerate each other so closely without direct disputes.

[guest]

[Polly]

13:26:02 - 11 close calls
13:52:02 Both H's call to each other.
13:52:02 H44 flies into the nest. H21 calls for support. He straightens branches and H21 makes energetic calls. 13:53:51 The girl jumps over to it. The two are wonderful !!!! So far the most intimate stay in the nest! With kisses (sweet!!!! ) and open affection!
Emiliano ... this pair is a perfect match.





The back of both heads:


14:14:59 H44 is thrown out, his girl stays.
14:22:38 Now H21 is also leaving the branch in a straight line.

It's a long video ... but there was nothing to shorten. Our H's without a cut..

[Polly]

@guest, thanks for the magical video!
My videos are not technically feasible (pure documentation). Beautiful videos are always welcome!

[Polly]

14:14:06, '10, 13-15, 22-24 calls
14:15:34 - 36 Both can be heard

[Polly]

Hello

Follow the activity


15:41 to 15:45 On branch with prey.
17:45:19 Distant sound.
17:45:40 Sounds close.
17:48:16 Mating.
17:50:50 to 17:56:20 Female in nest and branch.

H44 lands on the side branch with prey. He himself also has a well-stocked harvest.




15:43:35 There are crows in the tree too.

15:45:32 He leaves the branch with prey.