The New Forest goshawk nestcam is back! (From Bournemouth Echo)

The New Forest goshawk nestcam is back!

9:00am Thursday 1st April 2010 in

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ECHO on-line bird watchers can again enjoy a date with nature and get a privileged view of rare goshawks on the nest in the New Forest.

For the second successive year the Echo has linked up with the RSPB, New Forest National Park Authority, the Forestry Commission and Carnyx Wild to bring live pictures direct to your computer screen.

Forestry Commission experts spent a lot of time earlier this year pinpointing where nests might be built by the spectacular birds of prey.

In mid-March head keeper Andy Page warned severe weather may have had a detrimental effect on goshawk numbers because of limit food resources.

“This said, we have been steadily building numbers in the New Forest from just one pair in 2001 to about 15 pairs now.

As a result we’re confident we can identify active nests in time for the April launch,” he said.

The nest has been located – in a secret place for the safety of the birds – and fitted with a camera.

From the camera is online here , or go to the Forestry Commission’s reptile centre at Holidays Hill near Lyndhurst, to get a bird’s eye view of life.

The female goshawk is expected to lay her eggs in early April and they should hatch in May.

The chicks will be fed with tasty titbits until they are fully fledged and ready to fly the nest.

After that, attention will turn to a pair of hobbies. Their chicks should hatch in July and fledge in August.