Urban Hawks

October 4, 2021October 4, 2021Owls

Great Horned Owl

Central Park had a Great Horned Owl over the weekend. While it got publicity on Twitter, the birders that came to watch it were very respectful. It was very nice to see that some of the photographers and folks who had watched the Snowy and Barred Owls, sent out reminder tweets not to use flash and to be quiet during the day while the owl slept. I was happy to see the Central Park owl watching community get ahead of possible problems.

The Great Horned Owl roosted in a much lower spot than we’re used to seeing visiting Great Horned Owls, so it gave everyone who saw it great looks. It moved branches once during the day.

It was found by both Blue Jays and American Crows, who came back repeatedly to harass it. Plus the endless flyovers of helicopters didn’t help it get uninterrupted sleep.

October 1, 2021May 13, 2022Other Birds

Eastern Meadowlark

I’m not sure who found it in Sheep Meadow today, but lots of birders got great looks at an Eastern Meadowlark foraging in the grass.

September 29, 2021September 29, 2021General News, Governors Island Red-tailed Hawks

Governors Island — Now Open Year-Round

The mayor and the Trust for Governors Island announced that the island will be open to the public year-round, and increased ferry service. While the island was monitored by NYC Audubon, during the off-season it was off limits to the majority of birders. So, this is great news and I look forward to going out to the island in the late fall and early spring.

September 26, 2021September 26, 2021Other Birds

Blue Grosbeak

I visited Governors Island on Saturday, given the concert in Central Park. Its a nice place to bird and has a very nice community of birders. And on Saturdays through the end of October, NYC Audubon has a 2:00pm bird walk, with a nice mix of beginning and intermediate birders.

After the walk, along with some other birders, we birded Fort Jay, and found a very nice female type, Blue Grosbeak.

September 24, 2021May 30, 202286th and WEA Peregrine Falcons, Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Osprey

A Third Day on West End Avenue

I caught up with the Peregrine Falcon, born on the Du Bois Library at U. Mass Amherst, again today. She was on 530 West End Avenue for about an hour, took off for about 20 minutes, returned and then went out of sight. She appeared to fly up West End Avenue, but I lost track of her. I heard her call around 89th Street, but couldn’t find her. She might have been perched on a roof out of sight.

September 23, 2021September 23, 2021Other Birds

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird are migrating through NYC and are easily found in late September anywhere the park has Jewelweed growing. Here’s a short video of one.