86th and WEA Peregrine Falcons, Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey

Go West

After searching around 86th and West End Avenue for the Peregrine Falcon fledglings, I decided to go over to Riverside Drive, where the parents often are seen during the winter.

After watching butterflies and stomping on a Spotted Lanternfly nymph, I found one of the fledglings in a tree at 88th and Riverside, just inside the park. It was the first time I’ve seen any member of the family in a tree and not on a building!

I then heard an American Robin alarm call from near the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. At first I couldn’t find any fledglings, but eventually found two on the western side, and one on the eastern side.

There were some high flights in addition to the much lower perches of the fledglings. I couldn’t tell if it was the parents or the fledglings. I did find one fledgling on a building roof at 89th and Riverside and I found two fledglings later in the afternoon on the Normandy Apartments.

San Remo/Pinetum/AMNH Red-tailed Hawks

Pinetum Fledglings

A week after they fledged, I had a chance to see the two fledglings. Mellow was the theme. Both hawks were just hanging out and relaxing more most of the time I was with them. Both parents made visits and food was left on the nest. The youngest fledging ate for a bit and the mother ate leftovers.

It should be a fun summer watching these two learn to hunt and fend for themselves.

San Remo/Pinetum/AMNH Red-tailed Hawks

Pinetum Nest Fledges

On Tuesday around 7:30 pm, the first of the two eyasses fledged. So, I went to the nest on Wednesday to see what was up.

A group of us searched for the fledgling, but came up empty at first. There was still a bird on the nest and the mother was nearby. The male delivered food to the nest, and the fledgling returned to the nest tree. It was a few feet below the nest.

The yet to fledge bird ate, and then the mother ate some of the leftovers, before taking them to a nearby tree.

The yet to fledge bird did lots of branching at this point, and Stella Hamilton found the fledgling in a tree at the north end of the Locust Grove. While we were watching the fledgling, the eyass on the nest tree, flew to the next tree. It was enough of a trip, that folks though it counted as a fledge.

The next two months should be fun watching these two youngsters. It will be interesting to see where the parents take them. The Great Lawn, the Pinetum, or Summit Rock?

86th and WEA Peregrine Falcons, Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey

86th and West End Avenue Peregrine Falcon Fledglings

I was successful on my second visit after my trip to see the Peregrine Falcon fledglings. I caught up with at least three of them and the adult female.

At first, it was tough to find them, but as I explored I saw them in various places. They’re covering a wider area, going up and down West End Avenue, as well as 86th Street and Broadway. One of them got harassed by a Northern Mockingbird at 88th and West End.

Later in the day two fledglings got fed on the church. Locals told me the action happens early in the morning and after 5:00 pm.

Extralimital

Svalbard Polar Bears

I spent a week in the Arctic cruising around the Svalbard islands of Norway, in late June. One two days, we had the good fortune to watch an adult female and her two cubs. One the first day, they explored a small island eating Barnacle Goose eggs. On the second day, they were eating Minke Whale meat.

It was a wonderful experience seen from the safety of a Zodiac boat.