Conservationists are aiming to bring northern goshawks into British cities, using Berlin as the model for a project that could see the raptors released in Chester and London.
The plan, led by Dr Paul O’Donoghue of Rewilding UK, proposes releasing 15 goshawks in each city, sourced from European nests and UK breeders. O’Donoghue believes the birds, apex predators often dubbed the “phantoms of the forest,” could help restore balance by preying on crows, magpies, and jackdaws, whose unchecked numbers put pressure on smaller garden bird species.
Berlin has shown how goshawks can adapt to city life, with around 100 breeding pairs thriving in parks and hunting pigeons from rooftops. O’Donoghue hopes the same will be true in the UK: “It proves this can be done quickly – without much fuss, but with so much excitement.”
The project still needs approval from Natural England and faces questions about feasibility. Experts warn that birds taken from rural nests may struggle in urban environments and could disperse back into the countryside. Others point to possible conflicts with pigeon and chicken keepers, as seen in German cities.
If given the green light, the £110,000 project would fit the birds with GPS transmitters and provide food until they can adapt. O’Donoghue believes urban rewilding has a unique benefit: giving people the chance to witness a top predator in their daily lives.
“It’ll inject such excitement,” he said. “People go to the park to feed pigeons. Soon they’ll be going to see goshawks.”
