Goshawks, once hunted to near-extinction in Britain, could soon return to UK city skylines under a bold rewilding project inspired by Berlin.
Dr Paul O’Donoghue, director of Rewilding UK, is preparing a proposal for Natural England to release 15 goshawk chicks each in Chester and London. The birds would be sourced from European nests and UK breeders, with the aim of restoring balance in urban ecosystems by preying on crows, magpies, and jackdaws whose unchecked growth has threatened smaller songbirds.
In cities such as Berlin, Amsterdam, and Prague, goshawks thrive in parks and rooftops, adapting to traffic, dog walkers, and daily human activity. Berlin now hosts around 100 breeding pairs, the highest concentration in the world. “It proves this can be done quickly – without much fuss, but with so much excitement,” O’Donoghue said.
Supporters believe the raptors’ presence could create an “ecology of fear” that deters mesopredators and benefits garden birds. But some scientists remain cautious. Manuela Merling de Chapa, who tracked 60 goshawks in German cities, warned rural chicks may struggle to adapt to urban life. Ian Henderson of the British Trust for Ornithology questioned whether the small number proposed would have any real impact, predicting many would disperse to the countryside.
The £110,000 project would see each bird fitted with a GPS transmitter and given supplemental food as they settle. O’Donoghue, who previously advised on the reintroduction of great bustards to the UK, argues urban rewilding could bring psychological benefits too: “People go to the park to feed pigeons. Soon they’ll be going to see goshawks.”
