Barn Owl
Last seen in Central Park over a decade ago, a Barn Owl has been seen for a few days. I caught up with it this afternoon and got to watch it fly out from its roost after dark. It made one stop after fly out, and then flew across The Lake.
Crown Building
Today, while at the Pond at the Southeast corner of Central Park, I saw a Red-tailed Hawk with a branch, fly up to the Crown Building at 57th and Fifth. It went to a balcony railing, jumped down to a terrace, and then flew around the building. It wasn’t clear where the twig was left. The hawk then went to the Sherry-Netherland Hotel.
We’ve seen hawks here in the past, with nest attempts nearby on The Plaza hotel in years past. But I’ve never seen fledglings in the park from this location. Any reports from nearby office buildings would be appreciated.
Third Ones A Charm
Tompkins Square Park has had an upheaval this last week. A third new female has fought with Dora, resulting in Dora going back into rehab and the new female taking over! Plus there seems to be no sign of Nora.
This new female, which I’ll shorthand as F3, is making herself at home. Christo and F3 copulated at least ten times today. I guess they both know they’re late in the season!
Wilson’s Snipe
A Wilson’s Snipe was on the west shore of The Pool, a body of water at the north end of Central Park. It’s a wonderful bird, and was out in the open, which was a real treat.
2018 Manhattan Nest Update 4
Updates
- Red-tailed Hawks are nesting on the flood lights of Field 10 out on Randals Island again this year.
- The 310 West 72nd Street nest is confirmed to be active again.
- Tompkins Square park has become a version of the dating game, will it be Contestant #1, Contestant #2 or Contestant #3?
- I made a note that there is a good chance we’ll find a nest on Governors Island this year. We’ll find out when the island opens to the public May 1.
350 Central Park West
I hadn’t had a chance to get up to 350 Central Park West for a few weeks and the nest looks great. The nest looks solid and in good shape. I caught up with the male near the Tennis Courts, and after watching the female on the nest, saw an exchange of the two hawks. The male took over egg warming duties and the female eat a pigeon left for her in a nearby tree. Then after she flew around for about five minutes, returned to the nest, and the male left.
