Urban Hawks

March 13, 2017December 22, 2020Washington Sq. Red-tailed Hawks

One Egg, More To Come

The Washington Square Park hawks have one egg in the nest with one or two more to come over the next few days. The male gave the female several long breaks during the day. At sunset, the male started hunting for rodents in the park. He ended up catching a rat as it ran across a playground. He then went to a few different location before calling to his mate in case she wanted the rodent. When she didn’t come he gave us the slip going towards the east. It was fun to have the extra hour of daylight after work to watch them.

Update 3-14-17: The second egg was laid at 11:45 am on Tuesday.

Update 3-17-17: The third egg was laid on Friday afternoon.

March 13, 2017December 22, 2020Red-tailed Hawk Nest Updates

Intelegence Reports Wanted

I’ve started a new Manhattan Red-tailed Hawk Nest spreadsheet for 2017. It’s been too cold to venture up north for me to see how the upper Manhattan nests, so it’s missing any details for nest above 125th Street. If you have any input on these nests or news of any new nests, please drop me a note. Thanks.

March 12, 2017December 22, 2020927 5th Avenue Red-tailed Hawks

Fifth Avenue Calm

The Fifth Avenue nest seems to have settled down now that it has eggs. Octavia was hunkered down while I visited and Pale Male just stayed near the nest. Let’s hope they do well through our Tuesday snowstorm.

March 12, 2017December 22, 2020Tompkins Square Red-tailed Hawks

Tompkins Square Park Update

My visit to Tompkins Square Park started off slowly. The male arrived and quietly sat on a branch looking for prey. But soon we saw three hawks, the pair and an intruder flying over head. After the intruder was chased off the pair made a trip to the top of the Christodora Apartments. Then they went out of sight. This nest is usually a few days behind Washington Square Park, so expect eggs next week.

March 10, 2017December 22, 2020Washington Sq. Red-tailed Hawks

Washington Square Park Very Active

The first overnight of the Washington Square Park female turned out to be a premature stay on the nest as she skipped at least the next two nights. While this is the first time I’ve seen a hawk spend a night on a nest and not return, I don’t think it is a cause for concern. Either Wednesday’s Peregrine battle or large protest in the park could have caused the female to feel a need to occupy/protect the nest for the night.

This evening, both hawks were very active and were being a couple by sharing perches and food. It looked like things were back to normal for late winter. I suspect brooding will start within a week.

Update 3/11/17: The first egg was seen on the nest Saturday afternoon around 1 p.m.

March 9, 2017December 19, 2020927 5th Avenue Red-tailed Hawks

Octavia’s Brooding

It appears that Octavia has started brooding. She spent last night on the nest as well as tonight. Pale Male sat on the nest after he brought Octavia a small rodent. So, it looks like we should have little ones in mid-April.