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This indicator measures the number of active nesting territories of northern goshawk in the Tahoe Region. Goshawks have special designations by TRPA, the states of California and Nevada, and the USDA Forest Service, providing them with increased levels of protection. The species is a top predator, requires large areas of mature to old-growth forest with multiple stories and a high canopy cover, and has low breeding densities. The northern goshawk is particularly sensitive to human disturbance and habitat alteration. Regional programs such as protecting old-growth forests and limiting recreation around known nesting areas aim to increase the northern goshawk population. Monitoring is conducted by partner agencies mostly using acoustical surveys.
Number of reproductively active northern goshawk territories recorded during surveys in the Lake Tahoe Basin (1997 to 2019) relative to TRPA's threshold standard of 12 population sites. Due to vast differences in survey effort each year, there are no known trends in the population.
U.S. Forest Service
- Status
- Somewhat Worse Than Target
- Trend
- Insufficient Data to Determine Trend
- Confidence
- Low
- Monitoring of northern goshawk populations has varied widely over the years from intensive to minimal due to budget and staffing limits. Therefore, trends in the population are unknown.
- The last comprehensive population study occurred more than 10 years ago, so the current population status is unknown.
- Based on the number of active territories observed in a partial Tahoe Region survey in 2019, it is likely that a full Tahoe Region survey, would show more active territories than the TRPA threshold standard.
- The disturbance zone standard for goshawk has been implemented by TRPA and other partner agencies.
Approximate locations of known reproductively active northern goshawk nest sites from 2006 to 2019 within the Tahoe Region.
- The northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is particularly sensitive to human disturbance and habitat alteration. The species is a top predator, requires large areas of mature to old-growth forest with multiple stories and a high canopy cover, and has low breeding densities. Goshawks have special designations by TRPA, the states of California and Nevada, and the U.S. Forest Service, providing them with increased levels of protection. The number of reproductively active territories is an indicator of the health of the northern goshawk population in the Tahoe Basin.
- Northern goshawk populations can exhibit cyclical changes in reproductive success in response to changes in the abundance of prey populations. Northern goshawk reproduction can vary in response to weather and pine cone production, which provides food for prey species. Northern goshawks are also dependent on mature to old-growth forest types. Northern goshawk habitat suitability can also be impacted by forestry activities, large fires, roads, and other human activities.
Example EIP Projects
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Goshawk Surveys (Nevada Dept. of Wildlife)
This two-year survey project completed in 2016, surveyed northern goshawk nesting sites on the east side of the Tahoe Basin.
Monitoring Programs
- The status was determined using the number of active nesting territories in the most recent monitoring year. 10 active territories were present in 2019, 83% of the target. Therefore, the current status is somewhat worse than target.
- Trend was not analyzed because monitoring effort has been inconsistent through the years and has focused on project-level impacts as opposed to population monitoring.
- Low. A full population survey has not been conducted in over 10 years. Monitoring has been focused on project impacts.
- Low. Monitoring effort has varied widely through the years.
- Low.
No photos available.
No documents available.