Urban Hawks

May 11, 2011December 19, 2020Washington Sq. Red-tailed Hawks

Washington Square on Wednesday

Tonight was a delightful evening in Washington Square. Bobby was present most of the evening and Violet took a break from the nest.

The New York Times reports that Chris Nadereski and a vet from the Bronx Zoo will be on hand tomorrow afternoon to remove Violet’s band. We’ll see how they do. Both of these individuals aren’t normally doing rehabilitation work with Red-tailed Hawks in New York City.

In general, the N.Y.S. D.E.C. chooses folks who have excellent curriculum vitae when the press is involved, rather than experienced but less credentialed individuals. Those who know the true details of the coyote Hal’s death will understand what I’m talking about.

Update: No action was taken on Thursday. I have no details. I would suggest keeping an eye on the New York Times blog. Although her leg doesn’t seem normal, she is no longer knuckling her talons. This is a good sign.

May 10, 2011December 19, 2020St. John/Columbia Red-tailed Hawks

St. John Getting Easier To See

Although one had to be patient Tuesday night, two eyasses were visible at the St. John the Divine nest. They should be easier to see with each passing day. The mother spent most of the evening off the nest, either on the Archangel Gabriel or on St. Luke’s Hospital.

May 9, 2011December 25, 2020Riverside Park Red-tailed Hawks

Riverside Park Eyasses Growing Up

The eyasses at Riverside Park are in that awkward stage where their flight feathers are starting to grow in. It’s a good time to watch then, as you can figure out how wing and tail feathers work as they grow in.

The mother continues to hold her own, and is being supported by an Urban Park Ranger who is helping by leaving rodents near the nest.

May 8, 2011December 25, 2020927 5th Avenue Red-tailed Hawks

Low Expectations On Fifth Avenue

Hawk watchers on Fifth Avenue have limited expectations about the nest being successful this year. After years of Pale Male and Lola having fertility problems, there are small hopes that Lima (Lincoln Karim’s name for the new female, that seems to be the now generally recognized name for the Dark Female/Ginger) might have better luck with Pale Male.

The hatch window starts around May 10th and will continue for about ten days. Don’t expect much news if things continue to go wrong, but expect one hell of a party if there is a hatch.

May 8, 2011December 25, 2020Washington Sq. Red-tailed Hawks

Friday’s Long Video

I shot a long video of the Washingtion Square nest on Friday, after I got news the hatching. With all of the concerns about Violet’s leg, I didn’t have a chance to edit it or post it. Here it is. It doesn’t have audio.

May 7, 2011December 21, 2020Washington Sq. Red-tailed Hawks

Encouraging News

Bobby Horvath, a respected wildlife rehabilitator, visited the NYU Library on Saturday. He was met by NYU administrators and they worked on site logistics, legal issues, etc.

There is some good news about the windows, they can be unlocked and opened. There are two windows on the nest’s ledge. The left hand window, where the nest is located, swings out so it can’t be used. Luckily, the other window which connects to a bathroom, opens in. This should allow Bobby Horvath to lean out and see the nest. If all goes well, the female will stay put or charge him rather than fly off the nest, which should make it fairly easy to capture her with a net. So, mission impossible may be possible after all.

Bobby Horvath and his wife, Cathy plan on returning to the library mid-week to cut whatever cord is still left on Violet’s foot and remove her ill fitting band. They will also quickly examine her foot, apply topical cream, and administer to her an oral anti-inflammatory.

Update: 5-10-11, The N.Y.S. D.E.C. has gotten involved and has asked that nothing be done at this time, just wait and monitor. The D.E.C. regulates rehabilitators in the state and their recommendations must be followed. So, wait and monitor is all that can happen at this time.

Bobby Horvath also learned the mystery of the hatch dates. The NYU staff, not knowing that hawks can sit up to a week before laying an egg, gave everyone the date she started sitting, rather than the actual date of when the first egg was laid. So this explains the confusion over the hatch dates.

As you can see in the video and photographs, Bobby the male Red-tailed Hawk may give Bobby Horvath a hard time during the capture of Violet, the female.

(I understand the Horvath’s home phone has been ringing off the hook, even at odd hours. Unless you’re a licensed rehabilitator in New York State, I doubt you have much to contribute. Please let the Horvath’s have some peace and quiet, so they can be rested when they attempt the rescue.)