Sniffgate? Chris Packham's Goshawk Chick Sniff Sparks Police Drama

By Matthew Lodge

Updated: 11:11 EDT, 27 August 2023

Breathe it in, folks! The winds of controversy are blowing, and it seems the scent of drama has tickled the nostrils of none other than the one and only Chris Packham. Yes, the same Chris Packham known for his deep dives into nature's wild wonders and often for his animated rants about humanity's shenanigans. But this time, it's not about his impassioned speeches or eccentric wardrobe – it's about a sniff. A goshawk chick sniff, to be precise.

Back in the sizzling days of June, the TV screens lit up with Packham's presence. He had in his clutches not one, not two, but three fledgling goshawk chicks. A spectacle, no doubt, to showcase the miraculous return of these birds of prey from the brink of oblivion, nearly squashed out of existence in the 19th century. The cameras rolled, the birds flapped, and Packham did his thing.

Weight checks? Check. Determining the chicks' gender? Check. Ringing them like some avian bling? Check, check, and check! All this under the watchful eyes of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), who issued Packham the golden ticket – a license to befriend the fledglings.

But, wait for it, here's where it gets funky. In the midst of feathers and falconry, Packham leaned in, drew a whiff of the chick, and inhaled like he was savoring a fine wine. Now, why is this a matter of controversy, you ask? Well, the goshawk chicks, it turns out, are known for their distinctive aroma. A smell so characteristic that even the wildlife world takes note. Now, some feather enthusiasts and law-lovers are raising a ruckus, claiming this whiff might just be a breach of the "no-disturbance" code when it comes to goshawk chicks. Yes, there's actually a law that frowns upon "intentionally or recklessly disturbing" these chicks.

Hold on, folks, don't dust off your legal dictionaries just yet. Mr. Packham isn't flapping his wings in defeat. No, he's taking this in stride, denying any wrongdoing or illegal feather-fluffing. In his own words, "Worry less about a naturalist having an occasional sniff and more about the illegal poaching of these feathery protectees." Ouch, tell it like it is, Packham!

But wait, there's more. Goshawks are all the rage under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 – that's right, they've got their own chapter. Killing, injuring, capturing – all big no-nos. Disturbing while they're building nests, laying eggs, or hanging out with their fledglings? Yup, that's another one. In fact, the law doesn't care if you're intentionally or recklessly causing a ruckus – it's still a ruckus.

Now, where does the chuckle-worthy Amy Schumer come into play here? Well, let's just say, while goshawks might not laugh, we're all smiling at the way this story has unfolded. So, remember, folks, if you're out and about, near a goshawk nest, keep your sniffing tendencies in check. Otherwise, the feathers might just start flying – and not in a good way.

Goshawk Chic(k) Drama: Sniff, Sniff – Who's the Real Birdbrain Here?