Goshawk Welfare and Forest Management

The northern goshawk is a recovering UK raptor whose welfare is closely linked to forest management practices, with sustainable forestry supporting breeding and foraging needs while intensive management poses ongoing threats.

Key Facts

Goshawks became extinct in the UK in the 19th century due to persecution and were reintroduced through escapes and deliberate releases from the 1960s
UK goshawk population is estimated at approximately 600 breeding pairs, primarily in upland forests
Goshawks are sensitive to disturbance near nests and will abandon eggs or chicks if disturbed during the breeding season
Illegal persecution including trapping and shooting continues in some areas where goshawks predate gamebirds
Forest management including clear-felling and replanting affects the hunting habitat structure that goshawks require

Welfare Considerations

Goshawk welfare is shaped by the intersection of forest management, human disturbance and persecution pressure. Breeding disturbance that causes nest abandonment results in direct welfare harm to developing chicks that fail to receive parental care. Illegal killing causes obvious severe welfare harm to individuals. Forest management that creates the diverse age structure of woodland providing edge habitat, open areas for flight and dense cover for nesting supports goshawk welfare through the habitat dimension. Long-rotation forestry with retained habitat trees and varied structure produces better welfare outcomes for goshawks than uniform clear-fell rotations that eliminate habitat diversity.

What You Can Do

Report goshawk sightings to BTO BirdTrack to contribute to population monitoring
Support the RSPB Investigations team which investigates raptor persecution
Advocate for forest management standards that maintain diverse habitat structure for raptors
Follow forestry certification requirements that protect sensitive raptor nesting areas from disturbance
Engage with Forestry Commission and private forestry operators about raptor-sensitive management practices