The second hawk fledged this morning at Washington Square Park, leaving just one eyass on the nest. There was a fledgling in a tree opposite the Silver Building for the afternoon, and in the evening we saw a fledgling on the roof of Shimkin Hall. So, I think we saw both fledglings but can’t be 100% certain. I’m sure we’ll figure it out on Wednesday.
The situation on the second for the fledgling at Washington Square, was similar to its first day off the nest. The fledgling was exploring Pless and Goddard, and had a journey to Shimkin. Its siblings have decided to stay yet another day on the nest unless they fledge in the late evening.
The new fledgling spent most of the afternoon on the Goddard Hall, got feed there, and explored the roof. Before I left, it made a trip to Shimkin Hall. It did well at managing the wires set up to discourage Rock Pigeons.
After I left, it made a few more flights including visits to two trees.
Two eyasses on the nest stayed put and did not fledge today.
The first 2018 fledge at Washington Square Park occurred around 6:20 p.m. Continuing my amazing luck at this nest, here is the fledge…
(The view from the NYU webcam can be found here.)
Updates:
For the last two days, there has been one real fledgling roosting and spending time off the nest and two reluctant fledglings who keep returning to the nest. This is unusual but in some ways makes sense. The visits across the street and to the shed might be considered branching and not traditional fledging. The longer it takes to leave the nest the safer it is, so any delay is welcome.
In any case tonight two young hawks were on the nest and the other was on a windowsill on 95th Street. The mother was on a cell tower but moved to the 95th Street building. In both places the mother was harassed by an American Kestrel.
