Goshawks - phantoms of the forest

4 April and 1 September 2009

If you go down to the woods today, you might just get a surprise.

We're the phantoms of the forest, gliding silently through the New Forest. We are graceful predators that rely on stealth. Once hunted to extinction in the UK, we now haunt woodland glades undisturbed.

For most of the year we're very hard to see as we live out our lives deep in the woods. But well-placed cameras give a rare view into our (very) private lives, giving you close-up footage as we raise our chicks from egg to first flight.

You can also try your luck at spotting us as you walk around the forest. For a short period in the early part of the year look skywards and you might just catch us performing our amazing roller-coaster display high above the trees. The things we do to attract a mate!

And don't forget the other forest residents, including hobbys (whose nest you can peer into from June), sparrowhawks, lapwings, curlews, redshanks, snipe, and woodlarks.

Entry is free, but donations for parking are welcome. Friendly staff will be on hand to answer all your questions about us and the other forest wildlife.

Are you going to enjoy yourself? There's more than a ghost of a chance...

When can you see us?

Live pictures will be beamed to the Forestry Commission's New Forest Reptile Centre, which is open from 10 am until 4.30 pm.

What's at the site?

There is a large flat screen TV showing live and recorded footage from the nest, and another TV showing a film about other brilliant birds that nest in the New Forest. This site is accessible by wheelchair. There are toilets and picnic tables on site.

How to find us

We are at the Forestry Commission's New Forest Reptile Centre, where you can see our six native reptiles. By car, or bike, the centre is 2 miles south west of Lyndhurst off the A35.

Why not make a day of it?

Nearby attractions that you may also like to visit:

• New Forest Reptile Centre
• New Forest Visitor Centre and Museum

This date has been brought to you with the help of Forestry Commission and New Forest National Park Authority. This project is being part-financed by the New Forest National Park Authority's Sustainable Development Fund. Webcam images are supplied by Carnyx Films.