Berlin’s thriving goshawk population could soon inspire a bold conservation move in Britain. Dr Paul O’Donoghue of Rewilding UK wants to release 15 goshawks each into Chester and London, taking cues from the German capital where the raptors have adapted to urban life and become a fixture in city parks.
The apex predators, once nearly wiped out in the UK by hunting, remain under pressure in rural areas but are flourishing in European cities like Berlin, Amsterdam, and Prague. In Berlin’s Viktoriapark, goshawks nest above war memorials, hunt pigeons on the streets, and coexist with joggers, schoolchildren, and heavy traffic.
O’Donoghue argues that reintroducing them to British cities could help restore balance by keeping mesopredators such as crows and magpies in check, benefiting smaller garden birds. “It proves this can be done quickly – without much fuss, but with so much excitement,” he said.
The project proposal, to be submitted to Natural England, outlines sourcing chicks from wild European nests and UK breeders. Each bird would be fitted with GPS trackers, with half the £110,000 budget dedicated to monitoring. They would also receive steady food supplies until acclimatised.
Not everyone is convinced. German researcher Manuela Merling de Chapa, who tracked 60 urban goshawks for her PhD, warned rural-born chicks may struggle in cities. Ian Henderson of the British Trust for Ornithology questioned whether such small numbers would remain in urban areas or make any difference to garden bird populations.
Despite doubts, O’Donoghue is confident, citing his past work with wildcats and great bustards. He insists city-dwellers deserve the thrill of spotting a predator as elusive as the goshawk in their local parks.
“It’ll inject such excitement,” he said. “People go to the park to feed pigeons. Soon they’ll be going to see goshawks.”
