Goshawk Nests in Riga 2025

[Polly]

The pine branches are increasing.
'08, '11, '18
Pērle is in a hurry now.

18:21 H44 calls
...and Pērle doesn't go to the nest bowl and push twigs—she lies down.

Changes her position, lies down again.

'26 Pērle stands up, loosens her feathers. She visibly fluffs up.

18:30

[Polly]

18:40 Pērle is showing contractions.
'43 very clearly

18:51 The female is using her wings for support, her whole body working.


Pērle doesn't seem completely relaxed. She sometimes looks around nervously, but everything is fine.

18:53 Pērle has done it.
18:53:10 She is pushed deep into the nest bowl one last time
The first egg has been laid.


Great!


Pērle is doing her little rounds in the nest. The fresh egg is given time to dry and harden in the shell.

'54 Pērle is laying.

19:09 - 11 The egg is aired once more before Pērle lays again.

H44 is keeping a discreet distance.
He will be very close, but he will allow Pērle to rest.

What a good day.
Sleep well ...


I'll add some pictures tomorrow. My eyes are about to close.

[Polly]

March 22nd


Good morning everyone!

A beautiful picture... the day is dawning and Pērle is lying on her egg.


05:46 Seagulls and crows are performing their morning spectacle.
'51 Silence returns. Breathe deeply...

'54 Now H44 is calling.
Pērle will hear him, but she remains firmly lying on the egg.

06:03 Pērle is rising. H44's calls could be heard again and again.

[Polly]

06:05 Pērle now leaves the nest.
A minute later, H44 is already there. He briefly examines the nest bowl and the egg and then leaves the nest again.
*mating

The pair whispers and babbles...
06:12 H44 returns to the nest.


'13 out and *mating

[Polly]

06:21 Pērle jumps back to the nest over branches of the tree.

[Polly]

07:21, '39 H44 calls again.

Pērle rises from time to time, loosens the nest bowl, and lifts the egg.

08:21 H44 doesn't let up. He is very affectionate and caring.
'22 Pērle jumps into the nearby branches again and communicates with H44.




'25 She jumps back into the nest, lies down... and H44 continues calling.


And calls and calls and calls...

[Polly]

08:43 H44 is now somewhere in the tree.
The pair chats through the branches and H44 jumps into the nest.

He'll stay as long as he's allowed to.

[Polly]

09:12 H44 calls
Pērle stands up, the pair communicates.

'19 H44 lands on the side branch.


A brief chatter, and he's gone.

[Polly]

10:03 H44 chirps outside
'09 and brings a twig to the nest.

A brief conversation and Pērle leaves the nest.
She calls and H44 leaves the nest...
'12 *mating

10:22 Pērle returns to the nest


10:56 H44 with the next branch.
I think Pērle was a little startled? At least the female seemed a little annoyed.

Shadow ... H44

[Polly]

The mild and dry spring weather allows Pērle to handle the egg undisturbed.
Not too warm... not too cold... the perfect egg.
The siblings should hatch as without much distance. Thus, the first eggs are kept at a constant temperature to remain viable, but their development is initially slowed down.
A fascinating aspect of nature. The female knows exactly when to start incubating to ensure close hatching despite the time intervals between laying.

[Polly]

14:31 H44 calls
'32 Pērle rises up and, after an understanding with H44, returns to the nest bowl.




The discussion wasn't finished.
Pērle climbs onto the side branch and the chatter continues.

H44 proves persistent.

'38 and there he is.


Pērle accepts the offer and leaves the nest.
H44 checks that everything is in order and also leaves the nest to take care of his female.

'50 Pērle returns and covers the egg.

[Polly]

15:16 H44

He is truly very affectionate.
This time, a calling woodpecker also circles the pair. Not seen, but heard.
It stays for a short visit.
'17 H44 leaves the nest

Guessing...
15:18, '23 H44


Adjusts branches, shows concern.
Pērle leaves the nest and lands in a nearby tree. (to see)
After Pērle leaves the tree, H44 can no longer stay in the nest. He is focused on his female and pursues her.

'26 H44 returns and moves away when Pērle returns at 15:29.

[Polly]

16:43 Pērle briefly jumps into the side branches (to use the toilet?), but quickly returns to the nest.


Edit: No, she got some bark again.


She adjusts the nest bowl, climbs onto the side branch, and leaves the nest.

[Polly]

16:49 - 59 H44 takes over the care of the nest.




17:05 Pērle returns.
She tears a branch off the edge of the nest as she approaches. The noise startles and alarms her.Pērle turns to the edge of the nest and checks the situation


She remains strangely alert, but eventually covers the egg.

[Polly]

17:42 Hedgehog - Goshawk
(probably to control body temperature)

[Polly]

6:05 PM Pērle leaves the nest and returns at 6:51 PM.




Finally, a nice break!
H44 is also chirping nearby.

There were no more changes.






Sleep well!

[Polly]

March 23rd


Good morning and a happy Sunday to everyone!




Pērle's silhouette can be seen occasionally in the darkness.

05:40 Pērle stands on the edge of the nest.
The sound of crows wafts through the dawn - and H44 calls.

[Polly]

06:01 H44 continues to call.
Pērle climbs onto the edge of the nest and leaves the nest.

*Mating can be heard

Seagulls spectacles move away again...

06:06 Pērle returns, rummages around in the nest bowl, loosening and pecking.




'08 The female leaves the nest again

[Polly]

06:21 H44 slips into the nest.

He takes care of the nest bowl and the egg and looks just as fluffy as Pērle.




'31 Pērle calls and H44 leaves the nest.
'39 *Mating

[Polly]

06:41 Pērle brings a pine branch to the nest on her way home.


She covers the egg... Bullfinches accompany the morning activity with their calls.