The Ember-eyed Gatekeeper

Northern Goshawk 

A Northern Goshawk is a powerful apex predator tied to large tracts of mature forests containing large pines, principally White Pine, and large deciduous trees, especially American Beech here in the east. Within these forests, a relatively under-developed shrub layer is desired, and, as well, sufficient space between trunks is a necessary characteristic to enable these hawks highly dramatic and violent pursuit after their preferred prey: snowshoe hare and Ruffed Grouse. 

Northern Goshawks have very broad, relatively short wings and a proportionally long tail; these attributes allow them to hunt in spaces that require continual contortions in-between-and-around the trunks of trees and tall shrubs; they have remarkable equilibrium and are perhaps one of the most doggedly determined of all the raptors. Certainly, when prey is caught, which is often the case once a pursuit is initiated, they tend to exhibit a display of mercilessness, and are often grotesquely ruthless.  Goshawks have long, needle-sharp talons and a very powerful hooked bill. Their principal method of detaining their victim is by grasp-and-puncture; they get a hold of their prey, and, in combination with menacing lashings to their victims delivered from their heavy bills, use a pressure-release-shuffle mechanism; "walking" through and piercing the vital organs of their prey.

Northern Goshawks are very reclusive in nature. They are drawn to deep-forest haunts and often remain motionless, silently observing from a snag/ tree-limb-perch. The times I've been lucky enough to see a goshawk (Feb 2012, October 2012, May 2013, June 2013) there have been Blue Jays present and sounding alarm. Blue Jays mob, which basically means, harass, goshawks with a fervour similar to that seen with American Crows mobbing a Great Horned Owl. 

 June 21, 2013, or: A Beautiful Day

 I was in the middle of a long-ish hike in Central Frontenac. The weather was sensational: hot and muggy lending to that classic field work sweat-on-the-brow look and feel. In the middle of a point count, I could hear Blue Jays losing their minds over something perched near the crown of a massive maple that was several hundred meters away from where I was standing. The ruckus was, unfortunately, beyond a farm and property so I had to let it go and carry on with my walk. Roughly 15 minutes later, a heavy-appearing (thick bodied) hawk flushed from a perch that was roughly 80 meters north of where I was walking. Immediately, the brain starts to eliminate possibilities...."Red-tailed...no....Broad-winged...no...."...then this sensational hawk coasted... "Bingo!" One of two possibilities derived from the obvious droop to the wings as the hawk coasted through a wind-less sky: Red-shouldered Hawk or Northern Goshawk. I couldn't help but think, "...but those Blue Jays, they're going BoNkErS over this thing, it must be a Gos'." I continued on my way, and was nearing my final survey stop when this large bird casts a shadow on the ground in front of me. I spun around and the goosebumps started to cascade...an adult Northern Goshawk was hurriedly flapping, interspersing its flapping with prolonged glides, across a valley that was rimmed with forest-giant maples and pines. So close overhead was this bird, that I could just make out the sound of wonderfully choppy wing-strokes cutting through the air. I just stood there and stared until it was out of view; I never even thought to lift my binoculars; I was absolutely awe-struck. I mean, an azurian sky, insects hissing and buzzing, sweat beads dribbling down onto the side-burns and onto the lips; it was heaven. This mystical, I mean, a real, live, mystical beast, has a presence like no other; certainly, a moment I'll remember for good.

Happy Naturalizing and Happy Summer!
Jon

Image Source: Copyright Robert Bateman: http://www.artcountrycanada.com/bateman-robert-goshawk-and-ruffed-grouse.htm