Hawks cooling off in the sprinkler in Tompkins Square

As we all know, staying cool and hydrated in the summer heat is essential. This is also true for our local Red-Tailed Hawks. As the three fledglings increase their activity in Tompkins Square Park, they have taken advantage of the sprinkler on the main lawn.

This young hawk cools its feet in a puddle. 

Diving in...

Seeing one of its siblings enjoying the pool, a second fledgling joins the fun.

Here is some video of the hawks drinking water from the puddle and getting their feathers wet.

The hawks are tolerant of the presence of people (they were born in the park and have grown up with all the noise and activity), but they are not tame and people should keep their distance. Overall, I've seen people being very respectful this season.

Here is another video of the same pair in the puddle.

I've noticed the hawks are getting more use out of the puddle rather than standing in the spray of the sprinkler.

The music in the background of these videos is from the Luddite Festival, which has hosted daily events and activities in the park. What could be more natural and unplugged than watching baby hawks grow up and play in the park?

This situation with the lawn being partially closed has just been a coincidence this year. The sprinkler and caution tape was set up because new sod was laid earlier in the summer. It wasn't provided specifically for the hawks, but it's worked out really well for them. 

When the lawn puddle isn't available, the hawks will use other water sources like this puddle in the middle of a pathway.

In this video, it's revealed that this hawk was not alone, but watched over by one of its siblings who was nearby.

Hawks generally get all the water they need from their food, but when it's hot, they will drink and bathe where ever they can. Christo used to regularly use a birdbath behind the park offices. It has since been removed, so I'd really love to have another one installed. I've seen the current adult pair (Amelia and Charlie) bathing and drinking from the rain gutters on St Brigid's church on Avenue B.

 

Hawk fledglings chase squirrels, catch prey, and play in a sprinkler

The Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings have really been spectacular the last several days as they demonstrate their ever-improving hunting skills.

The young hawks always go for the squirrels, who easily out-maneuver them, but there have been a few close strikes. The squirrel in these photos seemed to have no fear as it taunted the hawk, but its luck may change some day.

Those are serious talons!

This fledgling took several runs at a squirrel on a tree, but came up short each time.

However, the hawks have had success catching their own prey. This one grabbed a pigeon right in front of me. They have also caught rats and mice.

After getting so much exercise chasing prey around the park, this fledgling decided to cool off in one of the playground sprinklers.

These videos show the hawk's thorough bathing process.

After the shower, the hawk flew up to a fence to dry off. Seeing them use the sprinklers is something I look forward to each year.

I'm really happy to see this trio making so much progress seeing as they have only been out of the nest for less than a month. The time flies quickly, so if you're passing through the park in the next couple of weeks, be sure to seek them out before they decide to take off on their own.

More close encounters with hawks

Following the previous post where one of the Tompkins Square hawk fledglings didn't seem to mind being close to people, here is another example.

This hawk had been playing in a fenced-in area as observers watched from behind the fences and benches. Suddenly, the hawk decided to perch on the back of a bench, just a couple of feet away from the closest observers.

Not sure what to do, the people who were standing there remained in place. I was actually much further away, and took all of these photos with a 400mm zoom lens, and the photos are cropped.

After a couple of minutes, the hawk took off.

To the sprinkler!

This was a really hot day and one of the fledglings took advantage of the playground sprinkler along Avenue A. It hopped around, playing with sticks and leaves.

Later, the hawk did a little gardening.

This photo was taken the morning after part of the elm tree by the chess tables came down in a storm.

Squirrels ran around within the broken limbs, and this fledgling couldn't quite work out how to catch any of them.

 

Two of the three fledglings briefly teamed up to strategize catching those squirrels...

One of the hawks eventually took off, but the other remained and played around on the fence.

I thought the hawk was going to fly past me...

...but it just got closer! My camera lost focus after this shot as the hawk landed on the bench and I had to back away.

These young hawks have been such a joy this season. They've been full of energy despite the oppressive heat and humidity, and have brought a lot of happiness to a lot of people.

Moe to come...