Urban Hawks

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.

January 3, 2022May 13, 2022Owls

Happy New Year

I spent most of December doing my birding in Central Park without a camera. It was nice to just walk around and observe for a change. But I did do some owl watching over the holidays with a camera. Here are some of a Great Horned Owl pair in NYC.

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey

86th Street Peregrine

I’ve been watching the Peregrines on the El Dorado over the last few weeks with my spotting scope. They’re doing well and have adapted to the façade work. I see them most frequently in the late afternoon, after the workers have left for the day.

But it was time to check in on the 86th and West End Pair yesterday. I saw one of them perched for over an hour before it flew off. Locals have been seeing lots of activity from both of them, so I’m not concerned I only saw on of them on my visit.

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021Other Birds

Cedar Waxwings

At least one flock of Cedar Waxwings have been in Central Park this week. They’re such wonderful birds. They have been seen in the fruit trees on either side of the West Drive, in the 70’s through the 90’s.