Forestry England nest cam sponsored by Tropic Skincare shows secret lives of goshawks in New Forest

NATURE lovers can cosy up to a pair of roosting goshawks in the New Forest thanks to an online nest cam.

Nicknamed the “phantoms of the forest” the camera, set up by Forestry England, offers a close-up view of these elusive birds of prey as they raise their young in the canopy of a 60ft Douglas fir tree.

The first pair of goshawks returned to the Forest in 2002 after being absent for more than 120 years. Since then, a Forestry England team has helped ensure the pair breed successfully with around 45 pairs in the Forest today.

Andy Page, head of wildlife in Forestry England’s south district, said: “The return of goshawks to the New Forest is a real conservation success story and it’s great to see them thriving here.

“We spend many hours each year monitoring these fascinating birds to help ensure that our forest management activities support them.

“Our nest monitoring of this top predator’s gives us a good indication of the overall health of our woodland as a place to support a diversity of species.”

Each year, Forestry England’s wildlife team closely monitor the birds, and this year they will also study the nest cam footage for breeding and nesting behaviour. Before chicks fledge, the team ring, measure and weigh them to assess how they are developing and whether the Forest offers the right conditions to sustain the population.

Rings recovered from these birds helps the team understand where the birds disperse to and, as their population spreads beyond the forest across Hampshire and neighbouring counties, the factors behind their continuing success. The nest cam is sponsored by Tropic Skincare.