Northern goshawk hunts rats in Udelnaya Park

In Udelnaya Park in St. Petersburg, a northern goshawk is actively hunting, paying no attention to visitors. This red-listed predator, according to activists, could reduce the populations of crows, pigeons, and overpopulated gray rats.

On 5 February, the community «Birds of St. Petersburg and Russia» published a photo report on VKontakte about the hawk«s hunt. A video of the bird of prey also appeared on the Telegram channel »Udelnaya Park«.

Park activists are urging people not to disturb the hawk. «We ask that the hawk not be disturbed, as it is performing an important function in controlling the overpopulated rodents,» they state. They point out that feeders for birds and squirrels have been overrun by gray rats, which block other animals from accessing them until they have completely emptied them.

The reason for the rodent invasion is likely that residents of nearby houses bring food leftovers to the park. «Perhaps this rat invasion is connected to the fact that people from neighboring houses have started bringing more food scraps from their tables: porridge, pasta, and also cat food. Even the signs we have posted in the park asking people not to do this do not help,» activists note.

The northern goshawk in Udelnaya Park had been reported previously. It is likely the same individual.