Mid-summer Tompkins Square hawk round-up

July is almost over, and the Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings are spending more time outside the park, which makes them more difficult to find.

At least one of them, however, is still making regular appearances in the park. 

This particular individual was actively chasing after squirrels near Avenue A on a recent afternoon. 

I like how the young hawks can so easily blend into the streetscape.

I was watching the hawk from across the lawn when it flew and landed right in front of me. I couldn't believe it and had to back up as it was so close.

On its way to torment some squirrels...

The three squirrels on this tree scattered when they saw the raptor approaching. 

Failing to catch a squirrel, the hawk grabbed a piece of wood and took off with that instead.

Looking for its next target...

One of the other three siblings:

This fledgling caught a pigeon and found a private space in a garden to eat it.

Meanwhile, this fledgling tried its luck with rodents along 10th Street.

And this fledgling gets a face full of feathers as it plucks a pigeon on the ground.

Each year, our time with the hawks seems so short. They hatched in late April and only came out of the nest the second week of June. In general, they embark on their migrations in August, but we've had some in the past stay through September. You can see information about previous hawk seasons on my Tompkins Square Hawk Archives page. 

 

Bird mobbing

Part of being a raptor is dealing with mobbing by other birds. Resident Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk, Amelia, is a master of patience when it comes to ignoring annoying little bullies.

Below, Amelia perches on one of the towers of St Brigid's Church while a Northern Mockingbird watches her. 

The Mockingbird yells at her, but Amelia barely glances its way.

The Mockingbird is not having it, though, and goes on the offense.

It jabs Amelia in the back with its feet.

The Mockingbird went at her several times, but Amelia just gave it a dirty look and went on about her day.

This is Amelia earlier in the summer perched on the cross of St Nicholas of Myra Church on a rainy day. The weather didn't keep a Blue Jay from pestering her.

A male Kestrel joined the Blue Jay in assaulting the hawk.

The Kestrel succeeded in getting Amelia riled up.

Sometimes the mobber becomes the target, like this female Kestrel getting side-swiped by a Blue Jay.

This young Red-Tailed Hawk  in Brooklyn gets mobbed by an American Crow.

And this adult Red-Tailed Hawk is chased by a Red-Winged Blackbird at Governors Island.

Here's another hawk being pursued by a crow.

This is a terrible photo, but I like the way this young hawk is looking back at the Kestrel chasing it. 

Back in 2018, Amelia and her fledglings were all mobbed by an interesting Mockingbird that was missing its tail. 

 

 

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings are still hunting around the park

It's getting trickier to find all three Tompkins Square Red-Tailed hawk fledglings, but they're still spending time in the park. Lately, they've often been hidden in the dense leaves of trees as they get better at being hunters.

This one suddenly appeared in the open during a recent visit when it dove after...something.

Not to worry, though, as the young hawks are still making appearances for photo-ops. 

Two of the three were spotted chasing after things in one of the garden areas recently, but it's getting harder to catch them together like this.

Look at those legs!

All three fledglings are able to catch their own prey now, but they still call on mom and dad to help feed them. The big American Elm tree west of the Temperance Fountain is a popular spot for them to hang out and eat.

When it's hot, the birds will hold their wings out to cool off. They also open their mouths, which is normal.

Diving like dad, Charlie.

They're looking more grown up every day.