Nesting chronology of northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in Wales: Implications for forest management

Abstract

Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in Wales built or refurbished nests between September and April in a semi-upland environment. Dates of first egg-laying ranged between late March and mid-May. There was no statistically significant annual difference in these dates. Most young hatched in late May and juveniles had left their nesting territories by early August. Goshawks did not tolerate disturbance from forestry operations during incubation and the early chick stage, and breeding failures occurred as a result of disturbance. However, once the young fledged (mid-July), forestry operations were no longer detrimental as adults and young moved to adjacent forested areas.