12-06-2022 - Hunting Northern Goshawk
The young Common Starlings have flown out and everywhere you now see groups of Starlings with many young in between that are still fed be by their parents. You will also find these groups at our migration site Brobbelbies Noord. For the Northern Goshawk and others birds of prey, these young Starlings are a favorite prey.
Alain Hofmans reported a possible Pallid Harrier to us at the migration site so we had to take a look. Alain was still present but the Harrier had not been seen for quite some time. While we were waiting an adult Northern Goshawk flew in, clearly targeting the Starlings. In a panic the Starlings flew up and the the Goshawk managed to isolate one from the group. It concerned a young Starling and normally the poor bird don't stand a chance.
Also now it seemed to end badly for the young Starling. The Hawk made contact with the young Starling who was out of balance and took shelter in the tall grass. The Goshawk searched for a while and now and then you saw him hovering briefly above the grass. The young Starling escaped unscathed. After hanging around for a while, the Hawk disappeared in search of another prey. Photos later showed that the Pallid Harrier was a female Montagu's Harrier. The fourth already this year for the Maashorst.