Active Day on Fifth Avenue
Life on 5th Avenue continues to have an exciting pace. Both birds are active with copulations, hunting, food sharing, and nest building taking place all day.
Owl Photos from Thursday
I didn’t have a chance to post these until today. They are of the remaining Eastern Screech-Owl in the park. She was calling non-stop again, although we only found her after fly out. She’s mixing up roosts yet again!
She appeared to be eating buds at the top of a tree for a few mintues. It’s hard to know if she’s eating the buds or insects on the buds.
Pale Male Eats Dinner
Tonight, shortly after I arrived in the park, Pale Male caught a pigeon and proceeded to eat it in a tree to the north of the building that stores the boats at the Model Boat Pond.
After he was done eating, he wanted to share his catch with his new mate, but had difficulties finding her. Finally, she arrived but it was unclear if she took the food.
She ended up on a building railing, and flew into a sliding glass door. She did so at an angle, so I don’t think she was going after her reflection but instead was confused by the light at twilight. She appeared to be uninjured.
At the end of the evening, Pale Male was on the nest and then flew off to roost in a tree to the northwest.
Eastern Screech-Owl Pellet
I got to spend a relaxed evening with the park’s Eastern Screech-Owl this evening. She was very relaxed and flew out to a low tree trunk only ten feet from me this evening. I try not to get that close, but if she comes to me, I’ll take advantage of it!
Tonight, she regurgitated a pellet, which had the partial remains of a white footed mouse.
She was also quiet. Her spring hormones must have subsided, as she is no longer calling and calling. Her “Only”ness, as one of my readers described her recent situation, is troubling for all of us who know why she is alone. She is the soul survivor of the misguided and politically motivated, reintroduction program called Project X.
Riverside Nest
I finally got down to the Riverside Park nest today. Daylight Saving Time, sure helps make it easier to bird watch after work.
The female is already sitting on the nest, and I got to watch the male arrive and allow her to take a dinner break. After this pair’s bad luck over the last few years, I hope this year goes smoothly.
The nest is the same as last year’s and is along the river around 81st Street.
NC-17 Continues
The 5th Avenue Hawks copulated at least nine times on Sunday. Spring sure is around the corner.
