Forestry Commission - News - goshawks are stars of the show at haldon!

For the first time goshawks have fledged chicks at the Forestry Commission’s Haldon Forest Park in Devon – and the momentous occasion was captured on camera!

Three chicks have this month flown the nest at Haldon Forest Park. The rare footage of the chicks growing from tiny bundles of white fluff to beautiful examples of this rare and elusive bird has enthralled Forestry Commission staff and now we are sharing it with you!

Persecuted to extinction, goshawks have slowly re-colonised Britain since the 1960s. Unfortunately persecution still occurs and the bird is strictly protected by law.

Haldon Forest Park Ranger Ian Parsons has monitored goshawks and other birds of prey for years. This year he obtained a special licence from Natural England, allowing him to install a camera on the nest – the only such licence granted this year.

Ian said, "I have monitored goshawks in various locations in Devon but, as they nest high up in the trees, I have never really been able to know what is going on in the nest until the chicks show themselves on the nest edge. Being permitted to install a camera has changed all that!"

"We have recorded tremendous footage of the adult birds feeding and caring for the young. On one occasion the weather was dreadful and we recorded the female spreading herself out over the young birds to ensure that they remained dry - this is something that we could never have seen from the ground. We have also been able to record exactly what the birds have been feeding on - grey squirrels are a firm favourite! The best bit has been watching the chicks develop, seeing their feathers coming through and watching them practice using their wings."

"Watching them go gave me a real mixture of emotions, I was chuffed to bits that they had made it to fledging but I was also sad to be saying goodbye to them. Hopefully, in a couple of years, they'll be back to raise their own chicks here at Haldon."

Due to the persecution that these amazing birds still suffer and to prevent disturbance we have to keep their breeding areas secret but now we can share the spectacle. Three minutes of highlights from the the webcam footage can be seen at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-7grex2

For more information please contact:

Ian Parsons on 01392 832262, 07766 440404
Kirstie Smith, Media Manager on 01392 834249

Notes to editor

� Forestry Commission England is the government department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. For further information visit www.forestry.gov.uk/england

� Haldon Forest Park is not only a nationally important nature conservation site, it’s also a pioneering new activity forest with more than 20 miles of safe, traffic-free trails for running, cycling, walking, horse-riding, adventure play and dog walking. For more information see www.forestry.gov.uk/haldonforestpark

� The footage can be seen at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-7grex2