General News

50 Birds in 50 Days

A few months ago, I was approached by the Parks Department to give a lecture as part of their On A Wing series.  I’ve had a great time learning to bird in Central Park and thought it would fun to give a lecture sharing my experiences during my first 50 days of birding and show others how easy it is to start bird watching in the park.  The official announcement is below.  Please join me on the 29th.

50 Birds in 50 Days with Bruce Yolton
Saturday, Mar 29, 2008
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Bruce Yolton is an amateur photographer, popular blogger, and avid birder who has lived in New York City for over twenty years. Bruce discovered birding three years ago when Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s The Gates prompted him to walk every path in Central Park, and he has been hooked ever since. He shares his joy of learning about birds with others in his blog about Central Park birding, called Urban Hawks.

Now, you too can learn how to go from beginner to seasoned birder as Bruce shares his birding experiences and tips in person at Belvedere Castle in Central Park. In Bruce’s lecture presentation, 50 Birds in 50 Days, he will display his birding photographs, teach how to select a field guide and choose binoculars, and divulge the best walking routes and viewing spots in Central Park.

FREE. Reservation required. For more information and for reservations, please call (212) 628-2345.

This program is part of the On a Wing series, which is co-presented by the Central Park Conservancy and Urban Park Rangers. On a Wing celebrates birds in Central Park through special lectures and family events at Belvedere Castle. Other events in the series include the On a Wing Family Festival on Saturday, April 5 and Central Park Naturally: The Photos and Writings of Charles Kennedy on Sunday, April 13.

Red-tailed Hawk Nest Updates

Red-tailed Hawk Manhattan Nest Updates

This week’s news is mixed.

1) The Inwood Hill female joins Lola who is already sitting on eggs.

2) A male adult hawk was picked up at Avenue D and 12th Street.  It has a foot injury, possibly from getting stuck on an Air Conditioning cage (not at the nest site).  The injury may not be major, so it may be making its way back to the Lower East Side soon.

I couldn’t find either of the LES hawks around Noon on Sunday.  The hawk that was picked up may not be from the nest site on Houston.  We’ll know in a few weeks.

3) The Highbridge nest has gotten a second look confirming that it looks abandoned.  So, we may have lost a nest site this season.