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Producing rapid keck-keck-keck cries that rang out across a central Berlin park, the large hawks climbed far above the canopy and circled before swooping downwards to drive away a disorganized flock of black birds that had begun to harass them.

"It's basically a soaring Batman enforcing law and order to the city," remarked a conservationist, observing the sizable pale-bellied birds through binoculars. "They are like fighter jets."

The goshawk is an apex predator – and conservationists aspire it will soon bring awe and delight to UK cities, following its success in German metropolises. In the United Kingdom, this swift bird of prey was persecuted to near disappearance and only started to bounce back in countryside regions during the mid-20th century. It remains commonly persecuted on shooting estates and grouse moors.

Flourishing in European Capitals

In other parts of the continent, the goshawk is doing well – even in bustling cities such as the German capital, the Dutch capital, and the Czech capital. From a public garden in the city, where a sizable eyrie sat in the crown of a tree less than 100 metres from a war memorial, the elusive hunter hunts pigeons in the streets and even rests on rooftops.

The birds have adapted to heavy traffic – although tall transparent structures still pose a danger – and are much more comfortable with the constant flow of dogwalkers, joggers, and kids than their woodland relatives would be with humans.

"It is just like any green space in the United Kingdom, that's the magical aspect," commented the head of a conservation project, which plans to introduce goshawks to Chester and London in the first stage of a program introducing them to urban environments. "It proves this can be accomplished quickly – without difficulty, but with so much excitement."

Assisted Colonisation Proposal

The expert is preparing to present a proposal for the "urban reintroduction" of the goshawk to the regulator in the coming weeks; the plan envisions the freeing of 15 birds in each of the two cities, sourced as juveniles from wild European nests and British aviaries.

He expects they will provide help of the UK's struggling garden birds by hunting mesopredators such as corvids, black-and-white birds, and small crows, whose populations have grown without control and endangered birds lower on the ecological pyramid.

Their arrival should have an immediate impact on the "brazen" medium-sized birds that prey on smaller ones that the public love, explains the scientist, pointing to a similar effect observed in canine predators. "This is what's called an ecology of fear. Everyone realizes the big guys are in town."

Possible Hurdles and Risks

Conservation projects throughout the continent have faced strong resistance from agricultural workers and political groups in recent years, as large carnivores such as wolves and bears have come back to territories now populated by people. As their numbers have expanded, they have begun to consume farm animals and in certain instances attack individuals.

The reintroduction of the goshawk into urban Britain is unlikely to trigger a similar resistance – the species currently live in different parts of the country, and animal guardians and city residents have little to worry about from them – but the bird has caused conflicts even in cities it has inhabited for years.

In the German capital, where an estimated 100 breeding pairs constitute the largest concentration in the world, and additional European cities, these hawks have become the focus of pigeon and chicken breeders whose birds are being consumed.

A researcher who has researched goshawk adjustment to city settings employed GPS trackers to monitor 60 birds as part of her doctorate, and states that while there could be possible benefits from using goshawks to control mid-level predators in British urban areas, young birds taken from rural nests may find it hard to adapt to city life and stressed the need to involve all interested parties early on. "In general, it's a risky endeavour."

Expert Views

An ornithologist who has examined goshawk behavior in rural Britain said it was uncertain if the raptors would choose to remain in urban environments and unlikely that the proposed numbers would be sufficient to have a significant beneficial impact on backyard species numbers. "What is the fate of those 15 birds?" he asked. "My guess is they'll likely disperse into the closest countryside."

The conservationist is nonetheless upbeat about the project's chances. The expert, who has previously been awarded a permit to track the Scottish wildcat and was a scientific consultant for a program that brought the great bustard back to the United Kingdom, argues that handling releases in a "humane way" is the key to success.

Previous Rewilding Attempts

The conservationist's initial effort to reintroduce wild cats to the United Kingdom was rejected by the government secretary on the recommendation of the wildlife agency in 2018. A draft application for a trial release has also met opposition, even though the head of the environmental organization lately showed interest about the prospect of releasing lynx during his two-year term.

If the goshawk project proceeds, the birds will be fitted with GPS transmitters – an endeavour expected to represent almost 50% of the estimated project cost of £110,000 – and be given a steady source of nourishment for as much as is needed after being released. In the German city, the conservationist highlighted the mental benefit of city-dwellers being able to spot a predator as secretive as the goshawk while they conduct their lives, rather than placing rewilding schemes exclusively in rural locations.

"It'll bring such thrill," he declared. "Individuals visit the green space to feed pigeons. In the future they'll be traveling to see goshawks."