Wednesday, 4-30-08
The owls were very mobile this evening, moving across the Loch. The kids are getting to be good fliers, but they still have problems with their landings. It’s rather comical. I hope they start to move their nightly roosts.
Tuesday, 4-29-08
The three kids were tucked close together on the same branch, with the parents close by when we arrived. It was a fairly standard night, except for two unusual events.
We had a feral cat pass through the owl’s territory, which was tracked by one of the parents who made lots of hoot-hoot calls.
The other was a trill call, which we hadn’t heard from either of the parents for weeks.
Manhattan Hawk Nest Update
Of the eight known nests in Manhattan, here’s their status this week…
5th Avenue, nest failure.
888 Seventh Avenue, dirty windows are making observations difficult.
4/29/08 Update from Brett. He doesn’t believe they are using 888 Seventh Avenue to nest this year, or at least not yet. (1)
St. John the Divine, feeding behavior has not started, so guesses are the female is still brooding.
Highbridge Park, eggs hatched based on feeding behavior. Number of eyasses, at least two. (2)
Inwood Hill Park, eggs hatched and chick sighted. Number of eyasses unknown. (2)
South Riverside Park, eggs hatched and two chick sighted. (3)
Houston Street, at least one egg has hatched out of three eggs. (4)
Shepard Hall, City College, female appears to still be brooding, but nest is difficult to observe.
(1) Brett Odom
(2) Robert Schmunk, Bloomingdale Village Blog
(3) Donna Browne, Pale Male Irregulars Blog
(4) Lincoln Karim, www.palemale.com
Sunday, 4-27-08
Leaf cover is making it more difficult than ever to photograph these owls. The whole family is doing fine. They were noisy this evening, both adults and kids. All were flying more northerly than I’ve seen them. After some initial feedings, the parents started to hoot-hoot, and the kids became silent. I went down to the edge of the Loch stream to find both parents keeping track of a raccoon. It soon waddled off, but the owls were now silent. It was now late, and with the action over, I left for the evening.
Saturday, 4-26-08
I went up to the North Woods on Saturday morning, and due to a call from Marie, was able to find the owls.
They were settled into a new tree. All five were there, but two siblings stole the show.
Turtle Duet
On Saturday morning in the Loch of Central Park, two turtles were engaged in some pre-copulation behavior. It was an amazing water ballet.
