Goshawks and the working forest
Goshawks and the working forest navigation
The goshawk is one of our most striking and threatened birds of prey. A century ago, it was persecuted to extinction in Scotland. Today, goshawks are staging a remarkable recovery.
Recovery at home
Thanks to careful conservation, there are now thought to be more than 150 pairs of Goshawks north of the Border. And nowhere are they more at home than in some of our biggest and most productive forests.
Thriving in managed landscapes
Some people question whether large working forests are good for wildlife. But among the stands of Scots pine and Sitka spruce, with foresters and their big machines not far away, goshawks are thriving.
In fact, these magnificent raptors are faring better on the land we manage. They are safe from illegal persecution and there is plenty of food. A key factor in goshawks’ recovery has been the way we plan our work in the forest.
First of all, we keep track of where goshawks live, so we don’t fell trees anywhere near known nest sites. On a larger scale, some areas of the forest are retained as ‘natural reserves’, especially for goshawks. No work takes place in these areas at all.
It’s a great example of productive forestry and conservation working hand in hand.
Working with wildlife
It’s not just goshawks that live in our forests. Many iconic woodland species make their home in the working forest.
Our staff often see, or hear, Scottish crossbills, crested tits and capercaillie while out on site. They also spot signs of pine martens and red squirrels.
All these species, and more, benefit from forest management plans. The plans ensure a variety of habitats are available with different ages and species of trees. We have areas of heavy thinning and light thinning,and create open glades within the forest. Even just by leaving the occasional dead stump, we are creating perfect places for small birds to nest.
Top five species of the working forest
The capercaillie is about the size of a turkey and is one of the wonders of Scotland’s forests. In spring, birds gather at ‘leks’ to display and perform their amazing songs.
Crested tits are the squirrels of the bird world. They store moth larvae and pine seeds to help when food is scarce. They are shy and flighty, so it’s best to listen out for their cheerful trill, or ‘zee, zee, zee’ call.
About the size of a buzzard, the goshawk has a fierce expression with bright orange eyes and a distinctive white eyebrow. Its broad wings and long tail enable it to hunt at high speed. Weaving in and out of trees, its long legs and talons can catch its prey in flight.
The rare and elusive pine marten is a medium-sized mammal. It likes well-wooded areas, where it can stay hidden from predators. Once nearly extinct in Scotland, it is thought to have benefited from the expansion of forestry.
The Scottish crossbill is found nowhere else in the world. It is extremely difficult to distinguish from other crossbills. It has a distinctive call that some say is their 'Scottish accent'. Their curved mandibles cross over when their bills are closed, allowing them to pry open pine cones and extract the seeds.