Laura Goggin Photography

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.

Friday, July 3, 2026

Tompkins Square red-tail fledglings play in the park

The heat doesn't seem to be keeping the Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings from having fun. They've been very active this week, flying all over the park and investigating the flower gardens.

Two of the three fledglings meet up in a planted area:

Two juvenile red-tailed hawks together in a flower garden.

They discover a tree branch with proves to be a fascinating toy.

Two red-tailed hawk fledglings playing with a stick.

Red-tailed hawk fledgling playing with a stick.

I love how one watches the other try something out first.

Two juvenile red-tailed hawks in Tompkins Square.

Here are a couple of videos of these two in action:

The winner takes the stick.

A juvenile red-tailed hawk playing on the ground in Tompkins Square.

Having had their fill of the Big Stick, the pair go looking for more entertainment.

Two red-tailed ahwk siblings investigating some underbrush.

A juvenile red-tailed hawk poking around in a flower bed.

One finds another stick.

Juvenile red-tailed ahwk playing with a stick on the ground.

Juvenile red-tailed ahwk playing with a stick in Tompkins Square.

A squirrel sprints by, briefly drawing the hawks' attention.

Two juvenile red-tailled hawks on the prowl.

Sibling red-tailed hawks looking for trouble.

Two curious juvenile red-tailed hawks check out a garden.

One hawk watches the other take off from the grass.

After engaging with each other, the two eventually separate and each finds their own object of interest.

Two hawks playing around on the ground in Tompkins Square.

A juvenile red-tailed hawk out for a stroll in the park.

These guys look so cute as they waddle through the grass.

One of the Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings stands on the ground.

Not everyone finds the hawks so amusing. This Blue Jay followed one of the fledglings to the top of a tree where they had a staring match.

A juvenile red-tailed hawk stares down a Blue Jay in the top of a tree.

They Jay then buzzed the hawk, letting it know it is not welcome.

Blue Jay takes a swipe at a juvenile red-tailed hawk.

The hawks are often harassed by smaller birds like Blue Jays, Robins, and Mockingbirds, but they seem to take it all in stride and ignore the little bullies.

More to come after the holiday weekend.