The Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1991 due to concerns of population decline as a result of habitat loss. The raptor is currently listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a Species of Concern, by the BLM (Farmington Field Office) as a Sensitive Species, by the US Forest Service as a Species of Traditional Cultural Importance, and is fully protected by the State of New Mexico. ACI is authorized to survey goshawks in a variety of methods, including Dawn Acoustical, Intensive Search, and Broadcast Acoustical protocols. ACI has several years of experience surveying for goshawk in the Carson National Forest’s Jicarilla Ranger District.
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
Northern goshawks are similar in size to red-tailed hawks, and can be mistaken for a Cooper’s hawk or Sharp-shinned hawk. Adult Northern goshawks are dark gray from behind, with alternating light and dark gray bars on the tail. The breast is white to light gray with fine streaks of dark gray. Adult northern goshawks have a red eye with a horizontal white stripe directly above the eye.
Northern goshawks occupy a variety of habitats including mature coniferous and deciduous forests. Nest sites are generally in stands of larger trees with dense canopy cover. Northern goshawks forage in forest clearings and in forested stands with an open understory that allow for capturing prey in flight. Northern goshawks lay one to four eggs in early spring, with a clutch of two to three chicks. Young fledge at about five to six weeks of age, but are dependent upon their parents for food until late summer or early fall in their first year of life.
Goshawk surveys are performed with predetermined calling stations on multiple visits to the project area within a specific date range and time of day. Visual surveys are also performed, including searches for feathers, feather molts, whitewash and prey remains on the ground as well as scanning for stick nests in the trees. Binoculars are used to scan the sky where raptors may be cruising above the canopy.
Contact ACI for more information about performing Goshawk surveys, and be sure that your project will not impact our limited Northern goshawk habitat.
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