Turning The Corner(s) At TCC

I’ve been hearing how much the eyass at Terence Cardinal Cooke has been enjoying exploring the ledge the nest is on, but I wasn’t prepared for what I saw on Friday afternoon. I arrived just as the sun was shifting to put direct sunlight on the nest. So, the eyass went around two corners to get into the shade that is provided by the eastern façade of the building wing the nest is on.

So, if you go in the afternoon and don’t see the eyass, make sure to take a good look around. The eyass might be hiding on the 105th Street courtyard ledge.

W0302 Update

Tahj Holiday noticed the female of the W0302 on a lower branch off her nest a few days ago. She was lethargic with drooping eyelids. He kept track of her and made sure the Urban Park Rangers knew about her condition. She did not improve and was rescued and sent to rehab on Saturday morning. Thanks to all those involved in her rescue.

These are pictures of her on Friday, perched over the stream that flows under Glen Span Arch.

Barred Owl, Harassed, Eating, Drinking

The Barred Owl in Central Park continues to be harassed by Blue Jays and American Robins during the day, and especially at dusk. On Thursday night, the attacks were relentless and the owl moved around from tree to tree in an attempt to avoid them.

In the middle of all of this, the Barred Owl caught a bird and ate it. It only took a few minutes. While it was eating, it was still being attacked by Blue Jays.

When it was done eating it stopped at a small pond, before going to a stream to get a drink. By now it was dark enough that the harassment had stopped. It stayed at the water, either perching nearby or being in the stream bed for a good twenty minutes. Then it was off to look for Brown Rats, off the railing of a bridge before it was flushed by passers by. I then lost track of the owl, only to hear it as I was leaving the park about 100 yards north of where I lost it.

Barred Owl

The Barred Owl continues to stay in Central Park despite the abuse of American Robins and Blue Jays. It’s moving about during the day a bit, and is rarely seen in the Hemlock it used for months.