Urban Hawks

March 19, 2016December 22, 2020Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey

Moral Dilemma

Two years ago, a Peregrine Falcon nest box was installed on The Century building at 25 Central Park West. It was installed by the owners without permission of the Coop board on a landmarked building without a permit. At the time, I thought it was outrageous that the owners of the apartment then cried foul, knowing full well that they had intentionally gone behind the back of the Coop, which at the time was having the facade repaired. The box was removed that year by the Coop.

So, I was upset today seeing what must be the same pair hanging out on both towers of The Century today. The falcons certainly seem to be planning on using the same ledge a scrape this year. I hope either the city DEP or state DEC can get involved and mediate a solution. It would be great if this Peregrine Falcon pair could be supported somehow, while the regulations of both the Coop and city’s building department are both respected.

March 19, 2016December 25, 2020Extralimital, Other Animals, Other Birds

Panama and Costa Rica

Videos

Photographs

March 15, 2016December 22, 2020Washington Sq. Red-tailed Hawks

Washington Square Park Nest Active

At least one egg has been confirmed by NYU staff and the Washington Square female has begun sitting on the nest. Tonight, I caught a late exchange. So, one by one, the New York City nests are settling down to business.

March 14, 2016December 28, 2020927 5th Avenue Red-tailed Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey, Southern Central Park Red-tailed Hawks

Southern Central Park Raptors

I spent the weekend trying to figure out what was happening with our three pairs of hawks in Central Park.

The Sheep Meadow pair continue to be seen in the SE corner of the park, but don’t seem to have settled on a nesting location just yet.
The pair that tried to nest on the Beresford last year, are bringing twigs to the Beresford and San Remo this year.
Pale Male and Octavia are doing just fine. Pale Male gave Octavia a long break on Sunday afternoon.
A Merlin was a nice extra bonus near the band shell.

March 13, 2016December 22, 2020927 5th Avenue Red-tailed Hawks

An Exchange On Fifth Avenue

When hawk watchers talk of an exchange, they’re talking about the process where the male gives the female a break. When these start, it’s usually safe to assume at least the first egg has been laid. Today, I was fortunate to see Pale Male give Octavia a break of about twenty minutes.

(The exchange was a little odd, in that Pale Male left the nest unattended for about four minutes. He may have been helping Octavia with a territorial dispute out of my view.)

March 10, 2016December 22, 2020Tompkins Square Red-tailed Hawks

Hipsters

The hawks in Tompkins Square Park, copulated, rested and copulated again within an hour today. They didn’t even bother to fly to another branch. Spring really is in the air.

Reports are coming in about how nests are doing around Manhattan…

There is a pair hanging out in Chinatown around Canal Street and the Manhattan Bridge, but no nest has been found as of yet.
There is a new nest at 116th and Riverside Drive, possibly the pair that abandoned a fledgling at Grant’s Tomb last year. (Update 3/18/16. Grant’s Tomb and the 116th Street might both be active this year.)
The Sheep Meadow nest blew down over the winter and the pair has been seen bringing twigs to a number of buildings on or near Central Park South including Trump Parc, The Plaza and the Crown Building.
The pair that tried to nest on the Beresford last year, as been seen bringing twigs to both the San Remo and the Beresford this winter.

It should be a fun year, and hawk watching will get easier after we change to Daylight Saving Time on Sunday.