Urban Hawks

A Great Horned Owl was in Central Park on Monday.  It was unclear if it was a returning guest from a few weeks ago or a new bird.  I found it around 6:30 p.m. and was able to keep track of it for over an hour.  It flew to various trees along the Lake’s shoreline from the Indian Caves to the Oven.   The owl seemed to go wherever there were groups of quacking ducks.

(This post was delayed for a few days to protect the Great Horned Owl.  A few weeks ago, the fly outs turned into nightly circuses, disturbing the previous Great Horned Owl.   So, it seemed appropriate to delay the news for the comfort of the bird.  However, one day in Central Park seemed to be enough for this individual.  It has not been seen since Monday.)

I found the female of the pair in the North Woods in a cavity even worse than her previous spot.  A hollow tree stump that is 4 feet tall.  She was sitting out in the open when I arrived.  I hope she finds a better spot soon.

After fly out she went down to a small branch near the stream that exits from the Pool between Glen Span Arch and a rustic bridge.  We heard the male but didn’t see him.  She stayed in the area for about fifteen minutes before giving us the slip.

A Great Horned Owl has returned to Central Park.  I found it around 6:30 p.m. and was able to keep track of it for over an hour.  It flew to various trees along the Lake from the Indian Caves to the Oven.   The owl seemed to go wherever there were groups of quacking ducks.

The Great Horned Owl was harassed during the day by owl watchers when it was last here, so these photos will remain hidden form the public until the owl leaves the park.

Tonight, we couldn’t find either owl until after fly out.  Both owls seemed to arrive from the tops of trees over Glen Span Arch.  This is going to be tough to figure out.

It was the coldest night of the fall so far.  Freezing and very windy.

Surprisingly, the female was sitting at the edge of her cavity as though it was warm out. When a raccoon went by, she was highly suspect perking up her ears and turned her head all around to keep track of the intruder.

At fly out she hopped around on a few close by tree branches before flying southeast.  I soon found her with her mate. Despite the cold temperatures, neither owl was frigid tonight! She called, he responded and they copulated.

She then went to the ground and although I can’t be entirely sure, I think she returned with a mouse.