Nest reuse by Goshawks after timber harvesting: Importance of distance to logging, remaining mature forest area and tree species composition

Abstract

We studied reuse of Goshawk Accipiter gentilis nests after timber harvesting within 50m from the nest in 31 territories in southeastern Norway. The proportion of nests used in the second or third breeding season after logging (55%) did not differ significantly from that of 27 control nests (67%). Both for all nests (N=58), and for nests with logging closer than 50m (N=31), reused nests differed from those not reused by being situated in a larger area of mature forest, and in forests with a higher proportion of Norway Spruce Picea abies, which gives better cover than Scots Pine Pinus silvestris and deciduous trees. However, a higher proportion of nesting territories with the target nest situated in a Spruce-dominated forest stand seemed to lack alternative nests, probably due to the more intensive timber harvesting in Spruce-dominated landscapes. Hence, Goshawks’ tolerance towards logging may be overestimated in Spruce-dominated forests. We recommend that foresters planning timber harvesting near Goshawk nests focus on the remaining mature forest stand and its structure. In order to maximise the chance of nest reuse, a patch of at least 2ha of suitable mature forest around the nest should be retained.