I've heard one or more goshawks calling for about a month now & wondered whether they might be courting. This morning on my walk down the block 2 brown goshawks flew from the canopy of some Eucalypts. On inspection, I noticed a goshawk-style nest in the canopy of 1 Eucalyptus with what appeared to be a live stinging nettle sticking above the rim of the nest. Then I heard the call of a nearby goshawk but I was unable to see the bird.
My strong suspicion is that the goshawks are nesting which will be the 2nd time they've done this on our property, the 1st being about 7 yrs ago. I'll keep my eye on this eyrie & report back.
Wow Woko, I will be waiting for the photos!!! (that's how it works, doesn't it ? First the courting, then the mating, then the babies??) I want photos of all of it!!!
M-L
Me too .....sounds wonderful !
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Sounds amazing having brown goshawks nesting on your property! I love goshawks, especially brown goshawks. I see them a lot lately but have never heard them calling.
I'm so jealous of you woko! Can't wait for the photos either!
how exciting to find them nesting again. They are so interesting to watch and would be great to see them raising a family.
Cheers, Owen.
They're reported to be very protective of their nests, a fact to which I can attest. Last time they nested one of them attacked me on several occasions. I had to take shelter behind a tree & keep a close watch as I beat a cautious retreat.
I now hear oen of them at day light every morning, presumably as it awaits the arrival of the musk & rainbow lorikeets which are frequenting the flowering Eucalyptus close to our bedroom window.
Update on the brown goshawks: I visited what I thought/think was/is their nest & found another stinging nettle appearing above the rim but no goshawks in the vicinity. I reckon the nettles are actually growing in the nest rather than being used to refurbish it. So I'm assuming at this stage that it's an old nest not currently being used.
What was in the vicinity of this nest, tho', was a patch of rabbit fur on the ground. Goshawks predate rabbits. I'm still hearing &/or, seeing a goshawk or goshawks around daily so I'll be watching like a, well, hawk for where they might be nesting.
Very cool! Yes, sounds like courtship and the time of year is about right for nesting etc.... Keep your eyes peeled. I guess two nest sites near my place will be worth checking out asap too! Sounds like a good season about to begin! :-)
Latest update on the brown goshawks: On Saturday, I disturbed a brown goshawk close by the nest I think they might be using or about to use. Shortly afterwards I heard another brown goshawk calling from about 50 metres away.
So there's bounteous evidence that these birds are about to begin breeding if they haven't already begun.
Wow i would be really keen to see pics aswell. A grey goshawk has been around my area lately, im hoping to get some pics too.
if your happy when your birding, flap your wings.
No sign of activity around the nest & no sightings of brown goshawks for over a week. I heard one this morning in lieu of my alarm clock.
Sorry folks. False alarm. No sign of brown goshawks. I may have scared them off. Perhaps I'll demonstrate my enthusiasm from a much greater distance next time.