Monday hawk highlights

The Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings are doing well as they practice their flying skills and master how to balance on branches while holding food. Everything must be learned, and they are doing great while getting full support from both parents.

This is one of the fledglings looking rather adult-like as it balanced on a small branch in the wind.

They still have their yellowish chests, which is a good way to distinguish them from the adults.

The young hawks are also curious and playful. This one toys with a strip of bark.

Giving us a wonky look with one eye covered by its nictitating membrane:

Two of the three siblings:

This one scarfs down the remains of a rat provided by Dad.

We're entering a heat wave which will affect wildlife as it does humans. We've had some rain which has left a lot of puddles around the park, which the hawks can use for drinking and bathing. In general, the hawks get the water they need from the food they eat, so I expect they will be ok. Cooler temps are expected later in the week.

 

Some fledgling hawk pics to take you through the hot weekend

As we head into a heat wave this weekend, the Tompkins Square hawk fledglings are improving their flying skills as well as learning to chase prey. The photos below show two of the three siblings as they run around, pounce on sticks, and leftover food.

This leftover pigeon was caught by dad M2 and delivered to the fledglings earlier in the day. After eating what they could, the pigeon became a toy.

While one hawk played with the leftover food, the other chased after a squirrel.

The squirrel easily evaded the hawk and dove into the safety of the bushes. The fledgling then turned around with its wings raised as if it was challenging the next adversary.

Tired of the old pigeon, this fledgling found a stick to play with.

Doing a little running...

As the hawk made a low swoop over the grass, we had a good look at its tail.

The fledglings are at an age where they will be playing and eating on the ground. If you see one doing this, please give it space. If you see anyone else approaching them, please intervene and tell them to stop. We've had incidents this week with people approaching the fledglings as they eat on the ground. In one instance, mom Amelia SCREAMED from a nearby tree. This is NOT OK. The young hawks are very vulnerable as they are just learning to fly and have the awareness of toddlers. It's up to us to keep them safe.

 

Thanks to the NYPD 9th Precinct officers who helped clear people off the lawn this last week. The lawn was locked to keep people out of the area where the fledglings were spending time, but people climbed the fences and even brought in their dogs. If you see anyone harassing the hawks, call 311 and ask for the Urban Park Rangers or the Park Police. 

 

Tompkins Square hawk fledglings are looking good

As I previously posted, all three Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk chicks have fledged the nest. They all look great.

The fledglings are curious and playful, exploring everything the park has to offer. This one bites at some leaves on a branch.

Below, mom Amelia flies in with food (not visible in this shot). Two fledglings eagerly vie for the meal delivery while the third calmly watches the action.

As Amelia takes off, we can see she has left a bird behind on the branch.

The fledgling on the right takes the prize.

The other two patiently wait for another food delivery.

As always, we must stay vigilant and ensure these young birds stay safe. They are just learning to fly and haven't learned to be afraid of danger. There have already been issues with people and dogs getting WAY too close. If you see the hawks being harassed, call 311 and ask for the Urban Park Rangers or the Park Police. That said, it can take some time for them to respond, so it's up to us to look after them.