Goshawks Set to Return to UK Cities, Creating Natural Pest Control
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📰 The quick summary: Conservationists plan to introduce goshawks into Chester and London using Berlin as a model, helping restore urban biodiversity by controlling mesopredator populations that threaten smaller birds.
📈 One key stat: Berlin boasts the highest known concentration of urban goshawks in the world with an estimated 100 breeding pairs, showing successful adaptation of this apex predator to city life.
💬 One key quote: “It proves this can be done quickly – without much fuss, but with so much excitement,” said O’Donoghue, director of Rewilding UK, which plans to bring goshawks to Chester and London.
1️⃣ The big picture: Plans are underway to reintroduce goshawks to British cities, using Berlin’s thriving urban goshawk population as a blueprint. Rewilding UK aims to release 15 birds each in Chester and London, sourced from European nests and UK breeders. These apex predators nearly went extinct in the UK but have adapted well to city life in European capitals like Berlin, Amsterdam, and Prague. The birds could play a vital ecological role by controlling populations of mesopredators such as crows and magpies, potentially benefiting smaller garden birds through what ecologists call an “ecology of fear.”
2️⃣ Why is this good news: The presence of goshawks in urban areas creates a trophic cascade effect, regulating populations of mid-sized birds that often prey on smaller species cherished by city residents. Unlike other predator reintroduction efforts that have faced resistance, urban goshawks pose minimal risk to humans and pets while offering considerable ecological benefits. For city dwellers, spotting these elusive raptors provides a rare connection to wildlife directly in their neighborhoods. The project also demonstrates how cities can support biodiversity beyond just parks and green spaces, creating urban ecosystems that more closely mimic natural predator-prey relationships.
3️⃣ What’s next: Rewilding UK will soon submit their proposal for “assisted colonisation” to Natural England for approval. If approved, the birds will receive GPS transmitters to track their movements and adaptation to urban environments. They’ll also receive supplemental feeding support during the initial release period to ensure successful establishment.
Read the full story here: The Guardian – ‘It proves this can be done’: Berlin the blueprint to bring goshawks to UK cities
