DNA tests to establish blood lines of Kielder's goshawks

One of the rarest birds in Britain

February 2011: Goshawk chicks in Kielder Water & Forest Park are having their mouths swabbed in a bid to discover more about the creature's blood lines in the 62,000 hectare (155,000 acre) Northumberland wilderness.

NEW BLOOD: Two decades ago, all of Kielder's goshawks were derived from a single female

The bird, once persecuted to extinction and which reappeared in Kielder in the 1960s, is one of the rarest in the UK and a special licence is required simply to visit its nest. Now monitoring by the Forestry Commission which includes ringing, weighing and measuring chicks is being stepped up to include taking a DNA sample.

Martin Davison, a Forestry Commission ornithologist, explained: ‘Blood tests carried out two decades ago found that the local population derived from a single female - presumably the one that arrived in the forest 50 years ago.

‘We are now seeking scientific proof that new bloodlines have since come into the forest. It's an interesting project, but very much in its early days. We expect the results to confirm that the bird is drawing on a wider gene pool of unrelated birds. That is important because it makes for a healthier and more viable population. Goshawks are magnificent birds and it's good see the population is stable.'

Rangers are staging three goshawk walks to raise the curtain on the Wild At Kielder season which celebrates the forest's wildlife and has many special events.

Male goshawks bid to impress potential mates with a thrilling ‘sky dance' in spring and walks take place at 10.30am and 1.30pm on March 5 and 9am to noon the following day. Booking is required, call 01434 220242.
Richard Gilchrist, chief recreation ranger, added: ‘Kielder Water & Forest Park is a haven for some of the nation's rarest creatures, including goshawks, red squirrels and even wild goats. This is a special place and these events are a great way to experience Mother Nature.'