Urban Hawks

December 8, 2018December 16, 2020Owls

Barred Owl Perches On Turtle Pond Island

A small group is respectfully watching one of the Barred Owl’s fly outs in Central Park. They’re doing a great job of spotting the owl after it leaves its roost area. On Friday night the owl went to the small island in Turtle Pond, north of Belvedere Castle. I’m happy to have company watching the owl now, since some of the newcomers have great night vision. I was able to stay with the owl to 5: 30 p.m. It gave a full “Who cooks for you” call before flying off into the dark.

December 8, 2018December 18, 2020Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey, Other Birds

Evodia Feeders Indirectly Feed A Cooper’s Hawk

Located in Central Park’s Ramble, the Evodia Field has the only sanctioned bird feeders in the park. They are supported by great volunteers. Indirectly, they end up feeding one or two Cooper’s Hawks who enjoy the buffet of sparrows and similarly sized birds during the winter. One young Cooper’s Hawk in particular is enjoying the easy pickings this Fall.

December 6, 2018December 27, 2020Other Red-tailed Hawks

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk Eats A Norway Rat

Title says it all, “Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk Eats A Norway Rat”. Just south of Trump Ice Skating Rink. Like many young hawks, this one dropped his rat while eating it.

December 6, 2018December 21, 2020Owls

Second Course

Saw-whets are so small they can’t eat their prey all at once. They are knows to roost with their prey and eat the second half of their prey during the day. Today, I was lucky enough to watch the “Second Course”. After picking at the White-footed Mouse, it eat the whole thing in one gulp.

December 5, 2018December 16, 2020Owls

Northern Saw-whet Owl With Mouse

One of the Northern Saw-whet Owls that is in the park was found sleeping with a mouse today. It would wake up from time to time and take a bite. Yesterday, the meal was a Northern Cardinal. We won’t have to dissect pellets to figure out what this owl is eating.

December 5, 2018December 27, 2020Other Birds

The Pond

The Pond had the Mandarin Duck, who had returned, but also had an unusual visitor for so late in the year, a Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron. As a birder, the Heron won. As a photographer, the Mandarin Duck won. So, I guess it was a tie.