In this episode of the Rock n Roll Birder Podcast, I head to the forests of Shropshire in search of one of Britain’s most elusive birds of prey — the mighty goshawk.

Joining me is Charlotte Griffiths, a raptor expert, BTO monitor, and organiser of the Welsh Raptor Convention. Charlotte leads the Cudyll Cymru Welsh Raptor Monitoring Project for the British Trust for Ornithology, coordinating the monitoring of raptor populations across Wales and working with a network of field volunteers studying birds of prey.

We spend the morning scanning the skyline and woodland edges, talking about the secretive life of Northern Goshawks, how raptor monitoring works in the UK, the challenges facing birds of prey today and why Shropshire is such an important landscape for raptors.

Along the way we discuss everything from fieldcraft and conservation to the thrill of seeing a goshawk powering through the forest canopy.

If you love raptors, woodland birding and the science behind bird conservation, this is a fascinating insight into one of Britain’s most exciting birds of prey.

Do keep your Birding Questions coming to [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirder.

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Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. 

Hosted by Matt Spracklen

Produced by Sarah Spracklen

Music by David Joseph

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