Eurasian Goshawk Accipiter gentilis (Linnaeus, 1758)

  1. One, not aged or sexed, Sep. 1922 for a week (D. Carr).*
  2. One, not aged or sexed, 2nd April 1999 (N.R. Milbourne).
  3. One, not aged or sexed, 22nd April 2000 (N.R. Milbourne, B. Lancastle et al.).
  4. Two, a pair, 18th March 2006 (N.R. Milbourne).*

Two subspecies of Goshawk have been recorded in the UK, gentilis which is resident, and atricapillus which is a passage migrant. None of the records at Blagdon have been assigned to subspecies level.

Pair in brief display over Top End before flying north towards Nempnett Thrubwell, having been interrupted by a female Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. Although flying low, they were not seen again when the author drove around the Top End to look for them. I’m not sure if I failed to submit this record, or if it was rejected by the Recorder’s committee.

Bibliography (sources of information):

  1. Davis, A.H. (ed.) Avon Bird Report, 1999. Avon Ornithological Group.
  2. Davis, A.H. (ed.) Avon Bird Report, 2000. Avon Ornithological Group.