After using an alternate cavity for a few days, the park’s last Eastern Screech-Owl was sunning in her usual spot today. She flew out fairly late and slowly moved through the North Woods. We were able to track her for thirty minutes and about 250 yards.
The “lost its way” Varied Thrush continues to be found by the Maintenance shed in Central Park.
Some images of Pale Male’s new mate hanging out on a favorite spot of Lola’s at 79th and Fifth Avenue.
Today, I discovered that it’s not just a single Peregrine Falcon that has been hanging out on the Eldorado towers, but a pair. One was on the north towe and the other on the south tower, before one moved to a ledge lower down on the building.
(Pale Male has been spending time just below the Reservoir. I wonder if he’s keeping an eye on these new neighbors?)
On the building just north of Pale Male’s nest on Fifth Avenue was this Red-tailed Hawk this afternoon. I assume it is Lola’s replacement.
Late on Friday, I saw two hawks in the Locust Grove just west of the Great Lawn, an adult peering down on a juvenile on the ground. The juvenile had a squirrel and waited until the adult left to begin eating it.
Later, just before sunset, an adult hawk came down from a Fifth Avenue perch, to harass a juvenile eating a bird on Pilgrim Hill. They both paid no attention to the numerous sledders on the hill.
The adult actually took some of the prey away from the juvenile. I lost track of the juvenile but was able to track the adult as it went from tree to tree before settling on a tree just south of 72nd Street, due south from the Pilgrim statue.
The adult hawk from Pilgrim Hill may be the new mate of Pale Male. Lola hasn’t been seen since mid-December and is unfortunately presumed dead.
