Goshawk Nest in Zemgalē 2025

[Emi7]

30 April

Good night, Polly and everyone.

( Since 11:45 )

I haven't seen the male.

The female, in addition to briefly getting up and digging or changing position, also gets up and goes to the edge of the nest, where she spends between 3 and 8 minutes, to land on the eggs again (she did this 5 times). On two other occasions, she leaves the nest and returns with a piece of bark or a tree twig. The second time she was away for about 20 minutes, and the other time she returned after 3 minutes.

This pair, in terms of nesting site and egg-laying time, is closer to most of the pairs I follow in the field.

See you tomorrow.

[Polly]

Hello Emiliano, thank you again!

This pair, in terms of nesting site and egg-laying time, is closer to most of the pairs I follow in the field.

They're quieter in their activities, aren't they? More inconspicuous. They don't change often, and there are no out-of-the-ordinary visits from the male.
But they're well-coordinated.

I haven't seen the male.

Here he is.


You couldn't see him.
Mona was already out for a break at 8:32 - 53. Miks was in the nest for just as long, covering the eggs.

He runs out when Mona approaches.




That's another difference from other pairs we observe. It's a bit like "Highlander - there can only be one" (in the nest).

[Polly]

May 1st


Emiliano , good evening everyone!

A fairly quiet day today – except for a few fast-paced minutes towards evening. And only then does Miks appear for a brief moment.

06:08 Mona starts the morning with stretches, loosening her feathers, and nesting.
The bundles of joy are still slumbering soundly in their safe cocoons.

[Polly]

07:22 - 24 Mona leaves the nest only briefly and returns with bark.

[Polly]

08:09 - 11 The next flight but this time Mona returns with empty claws.

[Polly]

Mona often spends her resting periods with her beak tucked into her feathers.



It's actually a protective mechanism against wind and cold. However, bad weather isn't often present.

[Polly]

12:52/53 These movements are important for Mona. And pleasing to the eye.




She goes back, rolls the eggs beneath her, and lies down again.

[Polly]

17:38 - 43
Mona defends her territory.

First the call of a woodpecker, followed by the calls of a goshawk closer by.

Mona rushes out of the nest, and there are an incredible number of calls and wing clapping.


Voices of Goshawk (Miks?), Mona, eagles... and cows.

Susanne documented the situation from Anna & Andris's nest as follows:
viewtopic.php?p=953670#p953670

I'm not sure if a strange goshawk was involved or if Miks was followed to the nest by the eagle female Anna. I don't recognize Mik's excited voice. So far, I've only heard the softer side. It could well have been Mik's.
Eggs in the nest might make the birds more irritable. The goshawk was far away from the eagle's nest.

17:40 A goshawk is sitting at the nest (out of sight but can be heard).

17:43 Only Mona can be heard.
Miks had just landed in the nest when Mona also returned. U-turn.
Miks can still be seen on his way back.




Mona calls excitedly until 6:00 p.m.

***

Unfortunately, there are some glitches. The stream wasn't going so well today.
If you have the opportunity, listen with headphones. It's impressive...

[Polly]

18:57 A crack in the undergrowth and Mona rushes out of the nest. She's immediately on alert.


'57:58 Eagle call? Only brief and single, but quite close.

Mona soon returns with a piece of bark.




The rest of the evening is quiet.
However, Mona didn't have a long break today. I hope tomorrow will be a better day for her.

[Polly]

May 2nd


Good evening Emiliano, everyone!

Miks woke Mona from her slumber today.
07:44 - 05:55 Mona was quick to get to the starting blocks, and Miks was the egg warmer.




As always ... I almost feel sorry for him.

[sova]

Polly, Emi

Miks doesn't discuss with Mona like Ruudi does with Alla Ruudi *whines* like a puppy to me....

[Polly]

So nice to see you @sova!!!

Well, as an observer, it's not always easy to ignore emotions or to distinguish between the laws of nature, the rules of a wild animal, and the interactions of a human couple.
Still, it's fascinating how differently Goshawk pairs interact with each other.
In the end, both work out.

H44 even once lay in the nest with H21 – unimaginable with Mona & Miks!

[Polly]

Addendum to yesterday.

Mona made her trips to the edge of the nest quite regularly.
16:07

[Polly]

18:54 Mona spots a bird above her.
It moves (circles?) silently over the nest area for a few minutes.






It's not until 18:59 that Mona stops watching.
I wonder if she sees this bird as a potential threat or as prey...
Or was it Miks?

[Polly]

21:17 - 25 Another late break for Mona, and Miks crawls on the eggs.


21:23 Mona's calls ring out, and Miks gets up, listens to the forest, and leaves the nest.


A minute later, Mona returns. I can't tell for sure, but I think Mona's right toe is a bit bloody.


The female has been feeding again. Two good breaks after yesterday's poor day.

[Polly]

May 4th

Emiliano , and a nice Sunday evening for all of you!

Mona is mostly busy with nesting in the early morning.
05:05 She begins the day by stretching and loosening the nest material.

[Polly]

06:23 Mona loosens and rolls again.




A jay croaks nearby.

[Polly]

08:10 - 11 Mona decides to take a short flight.


Mona can be heard during this, but she sounds relaxed.

She brings a piece of bark with her.

[Polly]

Mona's day is very monotonous today.

09:56 She calls – only once, and only briefly.
Nothing before, nothing after.

Her only actions are stretching, fluffing feathers, rolling eggs, and airing the nest floor.
13:58


14:18


15:02
*Hello Mona!


I think it's a black woodpecker, which has been heard more often today.

[Polly]

Mona is having some bad weather today.

18:43 She starts fluffing her feathers, stands up, and shakes them dry.






The cows are a bit restless today. Motor vehicles can be heard nearby. Something bigger than a small car?