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.

Monday, July 7, 2025

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.

Fledgling hawk chases a squirrel.

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.

Fledgling hawk chasing a squirrel.

Those are serious talons!

Fledgling hawk chasing a squirrel.

Curious hawk looks at a squirrel.

Curious hawk looks at a squirrel.

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

Fledgling hawk dives at a squirrel.

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.

Fledgling hawk catches a pigeon.

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

Fledgling hawk plays and bathes in a sprinkler.

Fledgling hawk plays and bathes in a sprinkler.

Fledgling hawk plays and bathes in a sprinkler.

Fledgling hawk plays and bathes in a sprinkler.

Fledgling hawk plays and bathes in a sprinkler.

Fledgling hawk plays and bathes in a sprinkler.

Fledgling hawk plays and bathes in a sprinkler.

Fledgling hawk plays and bathes in a sprinkler.

Fledgling hawk plays and bathes in a sprinkler.

Fledgling hawk plays and bathes in a sprinkler.

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.

Fledgling hawk perches on a fence to dry off.

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.