2017 Nest Update 10
Changes from the last update:
- Three eyasses seen at St. John
- Fledges at J. Hood Wright, Washington Square and Tompkin Square Parks
Washington Square Park, Day 2
The fledgling’s second day included trips back and forth from the Pless Building to trees on the east side of the park, and at the end of the day a journey to the top of the Silver Building. The fledgling seems strong and confident. A hawk that is late to fledge may be better prepared for life outside the nest, and this seems to be the case here.
Tompkins Square Park
The eyass at Tompkins Square Park has started to do some minor branching but shows no sign of leaving home just yet. I visited the park briefly on Sunday.
Washington Square Fledgling
The Washington Square Park eyass fledged early this morning. As is my habit, I slept late on Saturday morning and didn’t make it to the park until the afternoon. When I arrived, the fledgling has already been found on top of a platform that used to support a water tank behind the Pless building. It was cooperative and gave great view before flying to a nearby roof and out of view. It then reappeared back on the same structure for about 45 minutes. It then made a good strong flight north, and we could not find it. I suspect it was on a roof of a building on Washington Square North.
Fifth Avenue Trio
All three Fifth Avenur fledglings were near the nest building today and for a time you could stand in one place on the sidewalk of 5th Avenue and see all three. One was on the roof of the nest building, one on a balcony a few doors down, and one was very active flying back and forth across 5th Avenue. It was nice to see all three doing well.
Washington Square Is Late
The Washington Square Eyass should have fledged a few days ago, but seems in no rush to leave. It looks ready to go, except for two primary feathers (5 and 6) on the right wing. This is similar to the retarded growth of a few feathers with last year’s eyass.
It might take the parents to get this hawk to fledge by teasing it off the nest with food dropped not on the nest but nearby buildings. We’ll see what happens over the next few days.
