Monday, July 14, 2025

Tompkins hawk fledglings play around the park

It's been great seeing all three Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings continue to hang out together and play in Tompkins Square. Despite growing more independent, they do seem to enjoy each other's company.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings.

Got your tail!

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings playing a game.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings.

The fenced-in garden areas provide the perfect playpens for the hawks, and the resident squirrels continue to taunt them.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

This hawk not only missed the squirrel...

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

...it almost fell over the tree. 

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

The young hawks may still be a bit clumsy, but they are capable of catching their own food. This one nabbed a pigeon, then dragged it to a quiet area to eat.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling with a pigeon.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling with a pigeon.

I love seeing the hawks prowl around in the vegetation. It's not really something you expect to see in a city park.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.


Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Meanwhile, all three fledglings continue to explore the world and practice their hawk skills within the park.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

This one was fresh out of a bath in a puddle when it decided to dry off on a fence.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.
 
However, this Blue Jay was not having it and relentlessly mobbed the hawk until it took refuge within a bush. So rude!
 
Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling mobbed by a Blue Jay.

Stay tuned for more Tompkins hawk updates...

Friday, July 11, 2025

Fledgling hawks explore buildings and rooftops

The world of the Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledglings is expanding as they go exploring beyond the park. They've been spending a lot of time on and around buildings that surround Tompkins.

This one perches on one of the towers of St Brigid's Church on Avenue B. 

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

After perching a while, the young hawk flies across the street to a building across E 8th Street.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Taking in the view from a building at Avenue B & E 7th Street:

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

From there, it flies across the street to the roof of St Brigid School, with the waxing moon in the background.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Off to the next rooftop...

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Two days later, a fledgling is back at the building on Avenue B & E 7th Street, but I can't tell if it's the same hawk or one of its siblings.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

The American Robin on the roof takes off after the hawk.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

I love the shape of the wings as the hawk dives over my head.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

This fledgling takes a little nap on a mesh chimney cover on 7th Street. I've observed previous fledglings resting in the same spot back in 2017, 2016, and 2014.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

Another one gets pestered by a Blue Jay.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

A fledgling flies east on 7th Street, heading for a new adventure.

Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk fledgling.

The hawk family continues to do well, and it's great to see the fledglings growing stronger and more independent. More to come...

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Fledgling hawks playing among the fireflies

The heat and humidity have been sucking the energy out of me, but the Tompkins Square hawk fledglings seem impervious to this sultry summer. They've been spending time in the shade, as seen in the photo below where all three siblings are gathered in one of the gardens.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

After their meeting, the fledglings began to play with each other.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

Tompkins square red-tailed hawk siblings.

On this particular day, the sky darkened and fireflies took over the lawns. The video below captures a moment when two of the hawks play while the fireflies flit around them. If you listen closely, you can hear the third sibling squealing in the background.


More summer hawk antics to come.