Flatbush came to us on June 14, and he gave us two and a half months of thrills and delight, so a big Thank You goes out to Wildlife In Need Of Rescue And Rehabilitation (WINORR) and Ranger Rob from the NYC Parks Department who introduced the fledgling to our park. And big thanks to Christo and Dora who adopted him as their own and taught him the ways of the hawk.
June 16:
Ranger Rob introducing Flatbush to his new home:
I am also inclined to say the native fledgling, Ten, has gone off on her own.
I last saw her on Thursday, August 24. She was heard by hawk-watchers in the park on Saturday, August 27, but no one has seen or heard her since.
The photo below is the last one I took of her. It's not a great photo, but I had a feeling at the time it might be the last time I would see her.
She's come a long way in three and a half months!
People often ask me where the young hawks go when they leave the park. I wish I knew! They instinctively disperse, but I don't know if they fly a few miles away, or migrate somewhere completely different. I also don't know if they return. Flatbush is banded, so if he does decide to visit, he will be identifiable.
All we can do is wish them safe travels and a long healthy life.
Although it's sad to bid farewell to the fledglings, we still have Christo and Dora, who should stick around and defend their territory. Below, Dora watches activity on First Avenue from a favorite hawk perch atop the Village View apartment complex.
Last Thursday, Dora escorted this kestrel out of the park.
Meanwhile, Christo stayed vigilant atop St Brigid's church on Avenue B.
He's still molting and appears to be in need of five tail feathers and several wing feathers. He'll be back to his handsome self soon.
For anyone missing the hawk kids, I have a collection of Flatbush photos here.
And photos of Ten can be found here.
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