I returned to the park on Sunday, and caught two behaviors I had missed on Saturday, copulation and eating.  Looks like all systems are go for the Spring.

The Tompkins Square Park pair were very active today.  They copulated frequently and worked on their nest.  This year they’ve decided to be traditionalists and are working on a nest in a tree, after two years of using air conditioners.

They both roosted for the evening on different fire escapes.  The roost were about a third of a block apart, and both had clear views of the new nest.

I got to see both Tompkins Square Hawks tonight, but was only able to photograph one on a church cross.  I’ll be away next week and then we’ll soon be back on standard time, so hawk watching will become a weekend activity soon. 

The Red-tails of Tompkins Square Park have been building a nest this past week in a tree.  For a pair that’s had two air conditioner nests, it’s been a surprise.  I didn’t get to see any nest building tonight, but did see the female work her way around the park and go to roost.  She took 50 minutes from when she went to roost to shutting her eyes.  This was much longer than I expected.

I saw both parents today on a chimney, then saw Dora on a church cross on Avenue B.  She’s molting, so she looks a little “rough” right now.  No sign of the youngsters who have been difficult to find.