A DECLINE in the Kielder Forest population of Britain's commonest falcon is being linked to a comeback by a rarer bird of prey - the goshawk.
Scientists believe the number of kestrels - and also of short-eared owls - in the 200 square miles of forest in Northumberland has slumped because so many have been eaten by the more powerful hawks.
Ornithologists who carried out a long-term study estimate goshawks have killed up to 115 kestrels at Kielder annually over 23 years.
As the local goshawk population grew from one to 20 pairs, the falcons declined from 30 pairs to under five at the lowest point.
The report says goshawks became the prime suspect because there was no sign of similar kestrel decline elsewhere and there was no shortage of nest sites or vole food for the falcons.
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