Tompkins hawk update and EV Grieve podcast

There's nothing too exciting to report this week on the Tompkins Square hawk nest (no drama is good news!) other than to say the chicks are getting bigger by the day.  They are both now standing upright and have brown feathered wings.

The nest is still tricky to see from the ground, but when the wind blows just right, the curtain of leaves gets pulled back to reveal the nestlings on their stage.

June 24:



Below, the second sibling peeks out from behind the first.  There is more to the nest off to the left that is well hidden by leaves and the hawks often disappear into that area.



The kids are nearly as tall as mom, Amelia.



June 28:

Looking like a teenager, with grown-up wings, but still a fuzzy white head.





Looking out opposite sides of the nest:




In other Tompkins hawk news, I recorded a podcast a few weeks ago with local news blogger extraordinaire, EV Grieve.  We talked about Christo, Dora, Amelia and NYC hawks in general.



You can read more about the episode over at EV Grieve. At the time of the recording, Christo and Amelia were still brooding eggs.

NYC Pride Parade 2018

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, perfect for the happiest event of the year, the annual NYC Pride Parade. Below are a few highlights from the march up 5th Avenue.































You can see more photos of the 2018 NYC Pride Parade here.

2018 Drag March

People gathered in Tompkins Square this evening for the 2018 Drag March before marching to the Stonewall Inn. Beautiful people, being themselves.
























You can see more photos of the 2018 Drag March on my Flickr page.

Previously.

This week in chick pics

Another week flies by and the Tompkins Square hawklets are changing quickly. Although still white an downy, they are showing major feather development, and are big enough to easily be seen from the ground.

Below are photos from this past week, in date order.

June 18:

Mom Amelia perches next to one of the nestlings, who is half her size and seems to be contemplating its giant yellow feet.



In profile:



June 19:



The chicks sit up on the edge of the nest with their feet gripping the sticks as they lean their bodies forward.  They often nap with their heads hanging over their feet, dangling over the side of the nest. I don't recall chicks in past years doing this.



June 20:

Whoa! Look at those strong legs and dark wings!



A wing stretch reveals drastic changes to the wings and tail.



Seen together, it appears the chick on the left may be a few days younger than the one on the right.  It is still much downier than its sibling.



This is the one I believe is the younger of the two. Pin feathers on the wings are a couple of inches long.



June 21:

Chilling out on a hot summer afternoon. Amelia stands guard in the background.






Bonus:

The three baby hawks over at Washington Square Park have now fledged. I spent some time with them this week.  Below, Fledgling #1 spent its first day in the big world getting a job as an elevator mechanic on a rooftop along the park.



The following day, two hawklets were still up at the nest ledge.  Check out Roger_Paw's site for on-going extensive coverage of the Washington Square hawk family.

Looking cute and fuzzy in Tompkins Square

The two Tompkins Square red-tail nestlings are growing and changing fast.  They're finally getting big enough to see from the ground, but the placement of the nest is pretty well hidden, so getting photos is a challenge.  Below are pics from the last several days, in date-order.  It's hard to believe the chicks are just over three weeks old.

June 9:



Dad Christo looks on as one nestling gazes out over the park.



June 12:



A wing-stretch reveals the formation of pin feathers. Look closely and note the second chick on the left, its face blocked by leaves.



This chick already has an impressive wingspan.



June 15:



A view of the pin feathers from behind.  Note they are also starting to appear on the tail.



June 16:





June 17:

A lazy Sunday afternoon with mom Amelia in the background.





At last, BOTH chicks at once!



Hello, you two.




Meanwhile, Washington Square Park had its first fledge this last Saturday.  See Roger_Paw's blog for an account of its first day out and about, and there is video of the fledge from the NYU webcam here.

Urban Hawks was on the scene of the fledge and also has video of the moment it happened. 

Check out the rest of his site for updates on the other Manhattan nest sites, some of which have experienced some drama this season.