A Review of the Ecology, Management and Conservation of the Northern Goshawk in British Columbia a Review of the Ecology, Management and Conservation of the Northern Goshawk in British Columbia

A review of the ecology, management and conservation of the northern goshawk in British Columbia (Wildlife bulletin; no. B-101) Includes bibliographical references: p. 23 " Wildlife Bulletins frequently contain preliminary data so conclusions based on these may be subject to change. Bulletins receive some review and may be cited in publications. Copies may be obtained, depending upon supply, from the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, DISCLAIMER This report was commissioned by the Wildlife Branch and completed in 1999. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. iii iv ABSTRACT This document is both a thorough literature review of the distribution, taxonomy, status, biology and ecology of the Northern Goshawk, and an analysis of how the current conservation initiatives in British Columbia could serve the preservation of goshawks throughout the province. The information from the literature focuses on research in British Columbia, but puts it into both a global and North American context. This includes details on taxonomy, population biology, migration, habitat use and predator-prey relations. Necessary background information for a discussion on habitat management is given in a section on potential threats to the species and the current status of efforts to address some of these threats. These efforts include research, protected areas, and the current legal framework for protecting both the birds and their habitat. More specifically, the portions of the Forest Practices Code that address habitat protection, especially for species at risk such as the Northern Goshawk, are outlined. These include landscape unit biodiversity, riparian management areas, old growth management areas, ungulate winter ranges, stand management provisions, wildlife tree patches and specific direction on identified wildlife. The differences between the identified wildlife provisions for the two subspecies recognized in British Columbia (Accipiter gentilis atricapillus and A. g. laingi) are described. Regional planning tables and their Land and Resource Management Plans (LRMPs) provide another provincial initiative that affords the opportunity to include consideration of species of importance and their habitats. Special habitat protection for species in Higher Level Plans may be recommended by government if it is concluded that current measures are inadequate, or they can be brought forward independently by any non-government member of an LRMP table. Conservation initiatives that focus on Northern Goshawks are outlined, including objectives, priorities, and all the currently applicable conservation mechanisms in British Columbia. Research needs are …