Goshawk

This powerful bird of prey was persecuted to extinction in the UK in the late 19th century, but escaped and deliberately released falconry birds launched a population recovery in the late 1960s. Nesting in forests and large woods, they are most easily seen in late winter and spring, when pairs perform spectacular aerial displays over their woodland territories.

The goshawk is similar to the sparrowhawk, but much larger. In flight they appear powerful, with broad wings and a long, rounded tail. Up-close they show thick legs and a white line above each orange-red eye. Females, the size of a Buzzard, have slate-grey upperparts and whitish underparts barred grey, whilst males are smaller, with blue-grey upperparts. Juvenile birds have striped rather than barred underparts.