A few more goshawks from Tiergarten

 

The nest !  Very active and the male did bring in many twigs on our first day. The afternoon on our second day, their behavior changed, not calling as much and the female staying put in the nest even when a tasty morsel of food arrived on a nearby branch. She was well and truly sitting and his job was done !  We timed our visit just perfect x

The first goshawk we saw in Tiergarten. We were more than happy with this view but what was to follow was simply breathtaking. Never had views of goshawk like this before.....simply stunning ! One then has to ask the question.......why are these not in our big parks ????

A few snaps from Berlin

 

Tiergarten in Berlin, our place for 2 days. The park is absolutely massive and on the first morning we did well in excess of 20,000 steps before we found an active goshawk nest. We did find quite a few but wasted time at them before we realised they were probably last years. But we did find a nest with a nearby bench where we sat for 2 days and watched and listened to them calling and it was absolutely fantastic. The park was so busy with runners, cyclists, dogs and masses of strolling folk.  The birds were not bothered in the slightest. The park was totally litter free. Our hotel (the Pastana), which was lovely and good value,  was just a short walk away but we did lack a supermarket for a cheap sandwich. 

One of the many nest sites

Tiergarten

This is the gravesite for more than 2000 Soviet soldiers who were killed in April and May 1945 in the Battle of Berlin. It stands as a memorial of the Soviet Army for the victory over National Socialism.

The Reichstag

This is the sire of the former Kroll Opera House. It was here that on 1st September 1939, Adolf Hitler announced the German attack on Poland. The building was constructed in 1844 as a theatre. It became the seat of the National Socialist parliament after after the Reichstag (which was opposite) was burned down. On 30 January 1939, Hitler gave a speech at this location in which he threatened the annihilation of the Jewish population. 

In December 1943 the building was severely damaged in air raids by the British Royal Air Force.

The remains of the Kroll Opera House were removed in 1957.

The Brandenburg Gate

The woodland floor in the Tiergarten held some beautiful flowers. 

Even the small park bridges were stunning

Red Squirrels, Tiergarten, Berlin

 Lots of red squirrels in Tiergarten, always good to see

Goshawks, Tiergarten, Berlin, Germany

 A few days in Berlin to see the goshawks in Tiergarten was absolutely stupendous ! We got a reasonably cheap flight with Ryanair, just taking a rucksack to save the costs.  Travelled from the airport to the hotel on the train, very easy to do and cost £5 each, took an hour and a taxi was £80, so a bargain. The hotel Pastana was in the perfect location at the edge of Tiergarten and included a very substantial breakfast.

Up at first light on the first morning and straight into Tiergarten. We were into birds straight away, but not the ones we wanted to see ! The park is absolutely huge and we walked miles, even my knees were giving way !  Drawing a blank of goshawks the first morning we walked on to the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag which are a must to see while you are there. A stop at a local bakery for a takeaway lunch (certainly not cheap) and back in the park we went. We could hear goshawk calling and we soon had one shouting from the tree tops, bingo! There were 3 nests very close together, only one in use which we soon had sussed out. The birds, oh my goodness, nothing prepared me for how close they were having no fear of humans. Infact some paths were like motorways with walkers, runners, cyclists and non stop people walking. But the goshawks were not bothered whatsoever. Infact we watched a food pass on the next day, in a tree with a chap doing tai chi underneath it, the goshawks not bothered one bit. 

A fantastic trip with a backup cast of red squirrel, hawfinch, waxwing and some beautiful white long-tailed tits. Hope you like our pics x

Our first sighting, high in the tree tops. We soon had an active nest found and our views were stunning !

This was the male bringing in supper on our first day in Tiergarten. Poor mouse, just look at it's face! He called her and they both flew to the nest where he left the mouse.

They were so very vocal on our second day, they never stopped shouting. I have lots of videos to post of the calling. The constant calling meant one thing though.....mating ! 

Here she is now sitting on the nest, we thought at least one egg. On our second day she did not come off the nest, not even for food that he brought her. The only time she stood up was when he brought her a stick for the nest which was carefully placed and then back she sat. A total change of behavior which can only mean one thing....laying eggs and sitting !

Here is your lunch love, just a couple of scraggly legs left !

Wowsers ! Got lots more to show you x