Laura Goggin Photography

Friday, July 10, 2026

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.

A fledgling red-tailed hawk stands on the lawn in Tompkins Square Park.

Diving in...

Fledgling red-tailed hawk dives into a puddle in Tompkins Square.

Fledgling red-tailed hawk bathing in a puddle in Tompkins Square.

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

A hawk flies in to join its sibling on the lawn in Tompkins Square.

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.

Two hawks bathing in a puddle on the lawn in Tompkins Square.

Two juvenile red-tailed hawks bathing in a puddle.

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

Sibling red-tailed hawk fledglings in a puddle in Tompkins Square.

Two fledgling hawks enjoy a puddle on the lawn in Tompkins Square.

A pair of juvenile red-tailed hawks in a sprinkler in Tompkins Square.

Two red-tailed hawk fledglings in a puddle.

Two fledgling red-tailed hawks cooling off in a puddle.

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

Two young hawks cooling off in the sprinkler in Tompkins Square.

Fledgling hawks bathing together in a puddle.

Two red-tailed hawks cool off on the lawn in Tompkins Square.

Two hawks taking a mud bath in Tompkins Square.

Two young hawks cooling their feet in a mud puddle.

A fledgling red-tailed hawk happy to be in a mud puddle in Tompkins Square.

A fledgling red-tailed hawk flies across the lawn in Tompkins Square Park.

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.

A hawk on the lawn in Tompkins Square with an exercise group in the background.

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

A young hawk in a puddle in the middle of a pathway in Tompkins Square.

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.

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings are becoming the stars of the park

The Tompkins Square Park men's room is one of the busiest rest areas in the city. So I was surprised to see one of the resident red-tailed hawk fledglings perch just outside the door while there were people inside.

Red-tailed hawk fledgling perches outside the men's room in Tompkins Square.

The young hawks are very curious and like to investigate areas of activity.

Fledgling hawk perches on a fence outside the Tompkins Square men's room.

I'm not sure if anyone inside the restroom saw the hawk outside the door, but it must have been an odd sight.

Young red-tailed hawk takes off from fence outside Tompkins Square restroom.

After a few minutes, the hawk took off to look for the next adventure.

Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledgling flies past the camera.

Here, all three siblings gather on the grass.

All three Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings gather together on a lawn.

I was thrilled to see all three together like this.

All three red-tailed hawk siblings meet up on a lawn in Tompkins Square.

Here is some video of the encounter.

Two of them decided to explore the flower beds.

Two of the Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings explore a flower bed.

Two sibling hawk fledglings play in a flower garden.

Two of the Tompkins Square hawk fledglings frolick in a flower bed.

Two young hawks play in a garden in Tompkins Square.

Two fledgling hawks play in a garden in Tompkins Square.

They spent a lot of time pouncing on things in the plantings. I'm not sure if there were critters running around in there, or of they were just playing.

Red-tailed hawk fledglins playing together in a flower bed.

Two red-tailed hawk fledglings explore a flower bed in TOmpkins Square.

Two young hawk siblings goof around in a flower garden.

Two fledgling hawks looking for trouble in a flower bed.

After a good exercise session in the garden, the pair rest in the shade of a small tree.

Two of the three Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings perch together in a tree.

Later in the day, I found one of the hawks playing on its own.

Tompkins Square hawk fledgling finds a stick.

Yound red-tailed hawk playing around in Tompkins Square.

Juvenile red-tailed hawk playing in the grass in Tompkins Square.

Juvenile red-tailed hawk posing in the grass in Tompkins Square.

Keep an eye out in all the fenced-in areas for the hawks who may be playing and practicing their hunting skills. Tompkins Square is unique for its fences and gardens, which have proven to provide a wonderful habitat for bringing up Red-Tailed Hawks in the city.

Monday, July 6, 2026

Hawks play on the ground in Tompkins Square

Despite the heat, the Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings have remained active throughout the daytime hours. I don't know how they do it as I've had a hard time coping with this oppressive and sultry weather. Their resilience shows they are in good health and I'm happy to see them full of energy.

The fledgling shave been thrilling people by flying around and perching on fences.

A fledgling red-tailed hawk perches on a fence in Tompkins Square.

The fenced-in areas of the park provide the perfect habitat for them to safely play on the ground.

Juvenile red-taield hawk on the grass in Tompkins Square.

There are many playthings to be found in the gardens such as this long stick.

Fledgling red-tailed hawk playing with a stick.

And chunks of wood.

Hawk playing with a stick in Tompkins Square.

Red-tailed hawk fledgling playing with a stick in Tompkins Square.

Young hawk playing on the grass in Tompkins Square.

A fledgling red-tailed hawk frolicks on a lawn.

The hawks use the sticks and wood to practice poncing on prey (to date, I've seen one of the hawks catch its own pigeon).

Red-tailed hawk fledgling hops across the grass.

One of the Tompkins Square Park red-tailed hawk fledglings.

Yougn red-tailed hawk taking off from the grass.

A fledgling red-tailed hawk flies towards the camera.

Fledgling hawk flying straight towards me.

Fledgling red-tailed hawk running across the grass in Tompkins Square.

Juvenile red-tailed hawk with its wings out like an airplane.

One of the hawks "catches" another piece of wood:

A young red-tailed hawk pounces on a piece of wood.

Fledgling red-tailed hawk running across the lawn.

Late afternoon sun illuminating a young hawk standing in the grass.

Blink and you may miss them. The hawk fledglings often blend in right in plain sight.

Fledgling red-tailed ahwk perched on a fence next to some roses.

One of the Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings showing a full crop.

I wasn't in the park for the 4th of July fireworks, so I don't know how the young hawks reacted. We go through this every year, and they've all come through it.