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