Urban Hawks

January 23, 2022January 23, 2022Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey

Bald Eagle on the Reservoir

At least two Bald Eagles have been visiting Central Park over the last few weeks. Tonight one arrived at dusk. At first we didn’t see it, but every gull started to fly and we knew there was a raptor. It was an adult Bald Eagle, who circle the north end of the Reservoir before catching a gull on the NE corner of the reservoir. It then ate the bird on the ice. (The Reservoir is about half frozen.)

One of the Peregrine Falcons was in a tree near all of the action, but choose to stay put. Also on the Reservoir were a Glaucous Gull (thanks to Ed Gaillard for reporting it, and Peter Post for helping me find it) and a female Long-tailed Duck (thanks to Mary Beth Kooper for reporting it).

I only had my spotting scope and my cell phone to record the Bald Eagle with me, but I thought a Bald Eagle eating in Central Park was worth some photographs.

January 23, 2022January 23, 2022Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey

El Dorado Peregrines

The Peregrine Falcons, often seen on the El Dorado, finally came down to perch in the trees along the northern edge reservoir today. They were often found there last winter, but I haven’t seen them in the trees this winter. I hope they make many more visits this winter.

January 14, 2022January 14, 2022Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey

El Dorado

After not seeing a Peregrine Falcon since December on the El Dorado, one was perched first on the north tower, and then the south tower on Thursday. Nice to see at least one of them in the New Year.

January 14, 2022January 15, 2022Other Animals

Mouse Capades

A White-footed Mouse spent at least an hour on the frozen ice of The Lake running around in circles on Wednesday, in Central Park. There are a few recordings of mice doing the same thing in other locations on YouTube. I wonder if in the below freezing temperatures on Wednesday had the mouse doing its best to raise its body temperature. Or it could just be pre-Winter Olympics hype sponsored by NBC/Comcast.

Update: Based on discussions on my Facebook page, it could be a neurological problem due to a raccoon roundworm infection. A primer on Baylisascaris procyonis has been written by the USGS: https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1412/cir1412.pdf

January 8, 2022May 30, 202286th and WEA Peregrine Falcons, Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey

Peregrines on The Normandy

The West End Peregrine Falcons were on both towers of The Normandy at 86th and Riverside Drive this afternoon.

January 5, 2022May 30, 2022Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey

Peregrine Falcons at the San Remo

From the Tupelo Meadow I could hear a Peregrine Falcon calling at dusk today. As I followed the sound west, I ended up finding the bird circling the San Remo. It circled and circled but I never saw it land. Scanning the skyline, I also saw a second Peregrine Falcon on the top of The Oliver Cromwell at 12 West 72nd Street.

I’ve been having trouble locating the Peregrine Falcons at the El Dorado this week, so I wonder if they’re spending the week 15 blocks south or if this is a new pair.