Goshawk Nests in Riga 2025

[Emi7]

Hi Polly, Suck and all.

Indeed the laws of nature in animal survival are different from those of humans, both for the offspring and for the parents (although there will be specific cases where they are similar).

If a couple has three offspring and there is little food, it is almost certain that their law will be to have one strong offspring rather than three weak ones, the way the offspring do it and the parents' permission is usually what we see from time to time. In the urban chambers in Riga and Tartu we have not seen such extremes because there is food, if anything we have seen small occasional fights in Scotland and Nederland.
I have always said that I would rather have 2 or 3 chicks than four or five, but nature tends to take the upper hand when it comes to the possibility of casualties.

The chicks will be ringed tomorrow and I'm looking forward to seeing how H44 will behave, as he did the last time he reared the chicks and helped the female with her protests.

Good night

[shuck]

Hi Polly, Suck and all.

Indeed the laws of nature in animal survival are different from those of humans, both for the offspring and for the parents (although there will be specific cases where they are similar).

If a couple has three offspring and there is little food, it is almost certain that their law will be to have one strong offspring rather than three weak ones, the way the offspring do it and the parents' permission is usually what we see from time to time. In the urban chambers in Riga and Tartu we have not seen such extremes because there is food, if anything we have seen small occasional fights in Scotland and Nederland.
I have always said that I would rather have 2 or 3 chicks than four or five, but nature tends to take the upper hand when it comes to the possibility of casualties.

The chicks will be ringed tomorrow and I'm looking forward to seeing how H44 will behave, as he did the last time he reared the chicks and helped the female with her protests.

Good night

Hi Emi7,

Thank you for the information. The four Hawklets in the Loch Garten incident were all well fed ... but the smallest chick was still attacked by the older sibling.

Steve

[Polly]

May 22nd


Hello Emiliano, Steve and all together!

The chicks will be ringed tomorrow and I'm looking forward to seeing how H44 will behave, as he did the last time he reared the chicks and helped the female with her protests.

Yessss ...
It'll be here in about two hours.
Don't forget to check the time zone. And keep your fingers crossed that the weather holds out.

[Polly]

Pērle is staying away from the nest more and more often and for longer periods of time. "Far" is relative, as she probably spends most of her time sitting somewhere in the nest tree, where she can keep an eye on her bundles of joy and guard and protect them.

04:22 - 05 She leaves the nest, but then probably stays in the tree away from the nest (neighboring branch?).


The hawklets welcome her happily – but Pērle has only brought a pine branch.

[Polly]

05:56 Pērle flies out again and returns with food.
The reception for Pērle becomes increasingly stormy, greedy.


Feeding continues until 06:19
The hawklets in the middle often migrate together... no fighting. Sometimes one wins, sometimes the other.


Everyone has eaten well.

Pērle leaves the nest and returns with a pine branch.


There are some more crumbs to eat, and 06:22 Pērle jumps into the neighboring branch.
'27 and returns to her children in the nest.

[Polly]

06:59 H44 brings a starling into the nest. Not yet plucked, not stiff... a fresh, spontaneous catch.


Pērle stands up, grabs the bird, and looks as if she wants to start plucking.
But she carries the bird out of the nest.




Pērle returns and jumps into the neighboring branches.

[Polly]

The siblings sleep a lot, but sometimes start encouraging each other to jump and paddle.




*little boy?

[Polly]

09:22 - 39 The next feeding.


The first signs of a lively feeding frenzy, the hawklets rush to Pērle's feet.


Pērle leaves the nest and heads for the neighboring branches, and the young birds continue their paddling practice.

[Polly]

The little ones know exactly where their mother is.
They're watching Pērle, who's somewhere on the outer branches.

[Polly]

It is tempting to guess who is a boy and who is a girl based on the strength of their legs/toes.






18:17 ... maybe it'll start soon.
Imants Jakovļevs is a pro, but hopefully he's put his helmet back on.

Btw: Female Mona/Zemgale is certainly not to be trifled with either.

18:19:01 Pērle flies down from the neighboring branches.

[Polly]

14:15 And another feeding


The leg was in demand.


End 14:35
Pērle jumps into the neighboring branches.

[Polly]

17:16 Pērle brings more food to the nest.


She begins to feed, but then gets distracted. She looks around for a long time and seems a bit tense.


Finally, she finishes her task. The chicks aren't particularly hungry anyway.
Pērle jumps into the neighboring branches.

[Polly]

18:19:01 Pērle flies down from the neighboring branches.

18:20 Here we go!

Pērle has spotted the men. They talk
She calls excitedly and flies briefly to the nest.

[Polly]

Both are flying - Pērle & H44. They're both visible.
Pērle is furious.

[Polly]

Branches are being cut.
18:30 Hello Imants! Welcome to the Goshawks family home.


Imants brings the cut twigs back to the nest. Interesting. It sounded like he was cutting his way through. These twigs can't be from the nest tree.

What is it? Hazelnut?

[Polly]

18:33 Hawklet's petting...


The bundles of joy are well behaved.
'34:19 The first hawklet already has rings.
♡ #1

[Polly]

Every move is perfect, and the Hawklets are doing well.
So the stress for the family should soon be over.

♡ #2


♡ #3


♡ #4

[Polly]

Imants quickly provided information about the ring numbers and genders in the chat.

18:11 Imants Jakov|evs
Labvakar, gredzeni
DT6059/ 5A2 Puika.
DT6060 / 5A3 Meitene.
DT6061/ 5A4 puika
DT6062/ 5A5 puika.

GT

18:11 Imants Jakov|evs
Good evening, rings
DT6059/ 5A2 Boy.
DT6060 / 5A3 Girl.
DT6061/ 5A4 boy
DT6062/ 5A5 boy.

Oh, how wonderful!!!
A boy's roommate with a sister. Well, she'll keep her brothers busy.

Congratulations and thank you for this pleasant ringing!

[Polly]

The branches are taken away from the bundle of joy.


In keeping with the modern times, a photo of the daily meal is a must. So, it's shared on social media. Almost everyone does that these days.


Unfortunately, the parents skip the family photo.
Pērle and H44 are still warning outside with all facets of their vocalizations. Rapid calls, begging calls, even melodic calls... it must be a truly enormous stress level for the couple.

But they've done it.
Imants cleans the lens under the offended gaze of the children and climbs back down.

[Polly]

18:50 The whirring of the ropes could still be heard.
'51 Voices still nearby.

But Pērle returns quickly.
18:55 The female settles on the side branch, calling loudly.


The hawklets are still tightly packed together.