Urban Hawks

December 26, 2008December 24, 2020Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey, Other Birds

Christmas Birds

I did some lazy birding in Central Park on Christmas Day.

I started out and ended up searching for owls, which were impossible to find today. The red phased Screech-Owl is only being found on very cold days. Her alternative cavities haven’t been discovered.

The Screech-Owl from last season, either from the 60’s or up in the North Wood, haven’t been found either. Nor have any Long-eared Owls stayed for more than a day, although two have been seen in the fall.

Between my owl searches, I did get to see a Cooper’s Hawk, two Common Loons, some cute Hooded Mergansers and the “other” Red-headed Woodpecker (up by the tennis courts rather than in the Locust Grove).

December 22, 2008December 24, 2020927 5th Avenue Red-tailed Hawks

Lola Lands, Pale Male Perches

December 22, 2008December 27, 2020Other Animals

Out On A Limb

The snow had this raccoon out in the daytime, eating crab apples at the top of the tree. The raccoon could not move out any further, so it had to do all kinds of tricks to get the fruit that was just barely within reach.

December 14, 2008December 24, 2020Other Birds

Immature Red-headed Woodpecker

The Christmas Bird Count took place in Central Park today. Among the birds counted were three Red-headed Woodpeckers. (It’s possible that the Locust Grove bird was double counted. So, there might only be two.)

Below are pictures of the one in the southern section of the Locust Grove. Note the hint of red growing in on the back of the bird’s head.

December 14, 2008December 24, 2020Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey

Sharp-shinned Hawk

With our Red-phased Eastern Screech-Owl in hiding, I spend much of the afternoon looking for her without success. I did see a Sharp-shinned Hawk, however in the Locust Grove.

December 7, 2008December 21, 2020Owls

More Red-phase Eastern Screech-Owl Photographs

The park’s new Red-phased Eastern Screech-Owl has been using the same cavity for a few days. It’s been hard to track after fly out. Trying to figure out where it’s going after fly out is almost impossible.