Urban Hawks

In addition to the Northern Saw-whet Owl on Sunday, the park had two Barred Owls.  Here is a video and photographs of one of them.

On Sunday, a Northern Saw-whet Owl was in a Holly Tree just inside Central Park, best viewed from 82nd Street and Central Park West.  It was sleeping when I saw it.  This is at least the fourth sighting of the fall for the park.  Given that many years, none are found it’s been great these last few weeks!

I retrieved the Northern Saw-whet Owl pellet on Sunday and examined the contents.  It contained a mouse skull, bones and fur.  I felt like I was back in my middle school earth science class!

Central Park had two Barred Owls today.  I got to see both.  We’re having a great fall for Northern Saw-whet and Barred Owls this year.  There is speculation that strong westerly and northwesterly winds may have pushed many owls to the east coast.  Whatever the cause, I’m happy for the abundance. 

The one that I think is a new arrival, flew out to an open branch and vocalized briefly this evening.

I didn’t arrive in time, but a mob of American Crows forced the Ramble’s Barred Owl to move today.  I was spending most of my time with the Saw-whet, but did enjoy a bit of time with the Barred Owl.

Another Northern Saw-whet Owl was found in Central Park and I enjoyed watching it on Sunday afternoon.  It gave us great looks and coughed up a pellet about an hour before fly out.