Urban Hawks

May 2, 2019December 17, 2020Northwest Central Park Hawks

Another 350 CPW Feeding

After a great day of watching migrating birds in Central Park, including 17 warbler species, I made my way up to 350 Central Park West. The mother was in the middle of a feeding when I arrived. She then left the nest unattended a few times and the male made a visit. She returned and they both stared into the nest together. Given the behavior I saw today, I suspect that all the eggs have hatched.

When I was watching earlier in the week, she seemed intent to feed as quickly as possible and then get back down on the nest, as though at least one egg hadn’t hatched (they hatch a few days apart) and incubation was still needed. (This is only a guess. An alternative reason could be, that with today’s warm weather rather than the colder weather we had early in the week, she felt comfortable leaving the nest.)

The newly hatched hawks still need their parents to help stay warm. It will be another 10-14 days before they can regulate their own temperature enough to be left alone for an extended period.

The eyasses (newly hatched hawks) are too small to see from the street just yet. This neighborhood is full of school children and they should be able to enjoy watching the eyasses grow up this year. The young hawks be on the nest for about 45 days and then move to Central Park by late June, staying the summer before leaving home.

May 1, 2019December 17, 2020Northwest Central Park Hawks

Feeding at 350 Central Park West

I went by the nest on Tuesday and failed to see a feeding. I went back today, and after a long wait finally saw another feeding. The male would fly by the nest every hour or so, and perch on a nearby building for a few minutes.

May 1, 2019December 18, 2020Other Birds

Golden-winged Warbler

Thanks to Tod Winston and his Audubon New York City bird walk group, many birders got to hear and see a Golden-winged Warbler on Tuesday.

April 30, 2019December 17, 2020Northwest Central Park Hawks

350 CPW Hatches

It was great to receive reports that hawk watchers saw a feeding on Sunday at 350 Central Park West. It’s very hard to establish a new territory, and after the death of the male last year, it was unclear that this nest would work out this year.

When I arrived early on Monday afternoon a feeding was already in progress. I caught the tale end of it. I came back later in the afternoon and caught a few visits to the nest by the male. Like many new Red-tail Hawk fathers he wasn’t sure how much food to bring to the nest.

April 29, 2019December 15, 2020Red-tailed Hawk Nest Updates

2019 Manhattan Red-tailed Hawk Nest Update 6

I’ve been busy watching spring migrants, but have gotten news about two nests.

1) Susan Kirby recorded feedings at 350 Central Park West. Her video is on YouTube. This is wonderful news. In a few weeks, when the eyasses grow a little bigger this should be a wonderful nest to watch. The nest is ten stories up, and five windows from the north and is best viewed from in front of the playgrounds either at 96/97th or 93rd from the sidewalk of the east side of Central Park West.

2) The third egg hatched at Washington Square. The camera was restored a few years ago. The URL is https://www.ustream.tv/channel/e3uYJSDgmbz On a mobile phone, download the ustream application and search for “NYU Hawk Cam”.

April 28, 2019December 17, 2020927 5th Avenue Red-tailed Hawks

927 Fifth Avenue Intruders

Two Red-tailed Hawks, other than Pale Male and Ocatvia, flew over the Fifth Avenue nest on Saturday evening causing both Octavia and Pale Male to leave the nest. Usually we only see a single intruder, usually a single juvenile or adult hawk enter the territory. Two adult hawks together seems unusual for this time year. While it was impossible to know, it could have been the San Remo pair investigating how their neighbors are doing.

The video has Pale Male on the nest and then leaving, Octavia returning, and then Octavia settling down. Estimates are that this nest is due to hatch sometime this week. No feedings have been seen yet, although Pale Male has brought a small mouse to the nest, which may be a positive sign.