Monday, August 27, 2018

Tompkins red-tail fledgling health scare

The last few days have seen the Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling suffering from an unknown ailment. I last saw him in the park on Tuesday, August 20, and he seemed normal as usual.

He then disappeared from the park and, although some people saw him on Wednesday, I didn't see him again until Friday afternoon. As excited as I was to see him again, my heart immediately sank when I looked at him and saw he did not look well at all.

Sick hawk

His eyes looked baggy and he stayed very still, unlike his usual energetic self. After quietly perching for five hours, the hawk managed to catch a rat along Avenue A, then went to roost in the SW corner of the park.

When I arrived Saturday morning at sunrise, the hawk was in the same spot and looked worse.

Sick hawk

Seeing him this way broke my heart.

Sick hawk

Ranger Rob from the NYC Urban Park Rangers spent the day attempting to catch the fledgling so he could be evaluated, but the hawk managed to elude him.

Sick hawk

Just after this photo was taken, the hawk laid down on the branch, prompting a collective whimper from the small crowd of concerned spectators.

The fledgling spent all of Saturday perched high in the trees, remaining very still with his eyes closed and his head often dropped forward. I really didn't think he'd make it through the day and prepared for the worst.

Then, around 7pm, he opened his eyes and looked alert. He flew to a bench where he looked unsteady, but still managed to catch a rat.  After eating, he flew to a low branch hanging over the main lawn and stayed there until dark.

I returned Sunday morning at sunrise and was relieved and elated to see the entire hawk family - fledgling, Christo and Amelia - flying around the park. They all perched together in their favorite locust tree on the east side of the park and the fledgling loudly harassed his parents for food for several hours.  Music to my ears!

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

The fledgling's eyes looked bright an alert. Although still not functioning at 100%, he looked much better on Sunday and I think he'll be ok.

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

We don't know what was wrong with the hawk because he was never caught and examined.  It could have been West Nile virus and/or rodenticide poisoning, but this is only speculation based on observations of his behavior.  This fledgling has been healthy and strong since leaving the nest, so that may have enabled him to pull through what ever was ailing him.  After losing his brother a month ago, this hawk has become all the more precious.






Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling is proving to be a real character

When the younger Tompkins Square red-tail chick fledged the nest and started hunting right away, I thought he'd be off and on his way in no time.  Thankfully, he's not only still with us, but he seems to be so comfortable in the park, it doesn't look like he has plans to leave any time soon.

Hello!

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

This hawk spends a lot of time on the ground chasing after prey in the bushes. He goes after squirrels (I've not seen him catch one yet), rats, mice and insects. It's normal for fledglings to run around and play on the ground, but this one has spent more time in the shrubbery than any of the previous Tompkins hawk kids.

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

He's also making good use of all the fences in the park.  They serve to protect the areas where he hunts, and are also good perches from which to seek prey.

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

We also get a good look at him when he poses.

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

This hawk loves to fly low, giving people what I call "haircuts" or "close shaves" as he skims right over their heads. It can be unnerving, but he is not trying to hurt anyone. He's just perfecting his ability to sneak up on prey. His method reminds me more of Cooper's hawks, who quickly maneuver through trees and other obstacles to surprise their targets.

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

Friday evening, the hawk was very interested in squirrels and other rodents running around under the cover of a large bush.  A nearby bench provided the perfect close perch for him to study their moves.

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

Urban Hawks has some nice video of the fledgling diving into the bushes and fumbling around for prey. I love to observe the hawks at this age when they are determined to catch food, but still act like goofy toddlers.

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

Being born here, this hawk has no fear of people, but he will need to learn some street smarts before venturing off into the world beyond the safety of the park.

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

At the end of a long hot day, the fledgling took a bath in a puddle on the roof of the men's room.  This puddle has been used by previous fledglings, so it must be attractive to them.  I was hoping he'd play in the sprinklers, as we've seen hawks do before, but why settle for cool fresh water when you can soak in a warm fetid bathroom puddle?

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

This fledgling is a real character who reminds me of his dad, Christo, during his first year in the neighborhood when he was so young, energetic and flamboyant.






Wednesday, August 15, 2018

This week's Tompkins hawk family update

It's been a month since the youngest Tompkins Square Park red-tailed hawk fledged the nest, and he's come a long way in such a short time.  I've now seen him catch every type of available prey except squirrels, although he did succeed in pinning one to a tree.  Soon!

He's growing into a beautiful and colorful bird.

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

This fledgling has impressed me so much with his hunting skills.  I've yet to see him soar, but he's learned to master the trees and fences in the park, using them as perches from which to dive on prey.

On the prowl

He also uses trees as shields so he can sneak up on unsuspecting prey.  He caught the pigeon below by flying up to it while hiding behind a tree, then pouncing at the last second. This tells me he's using planning and strategy. Dad Christo is teaching him well.

Baby catches a pigeon

The fledgling is extremely curious, investigating every little creature, including this bee.

Fledgling red-tail staring down a bee

Sunbathers on the lawn were oblivious to the predator blending in among them.

Hanging out on the lawn

The fledgling has also been exploring man-made perches outside the park.  Below, he sits atop a roof on 7th Street.

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

A chimney cover on Avenue A.

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

An antenna near 9th Street.

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

A cornice on St Mark's Place.

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

A pipe on Avenue B.

Tompkins red-tail fledgling at sunset

The fledgling's presence on a cellphone transmitter caught the attention of three large crows, who aggressively mobbed him.  One of the crows was pretty creepy looking (below). I have no idea what's going on with its tail.

Red-tail fledgling mobbed by crow

After about two minutes of bullying, mom Amelia swooped in to chase off the crows, saving the day. She'd been perched on one of the Village View buildings at First Avenue and 4th Street, but was still able to keep an eye on the fledgling in the park.

While mom is on territorial defense duty, Christo is in charge of supplementing the fledgling's food. Below, he hunts behind the park offices and is still showing signs of molting, especially in his face.

Christo molting

His molting is more visible below (nabbing a pigeon) as he looks very white. His head and wings will look darker once his new feathers grow in.

Christo catches a pigeon

Christo with a pigeon

Amelia is also molting, but she doesn't look as dramatically different. She has some patches of white on her face, but otherwise looks normal. Below, she fluffs up on a hot and sultry evening.

Amelia looking floofy

Amelia

She looks gorgeous in the last light of the day.

Amelia at sunset


See more recent photos of the Tompkins Square hawks on my Flickr page.




Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Tompkins hawk family doing well, fledgling growing up fast

Below are some highlights from this week of the Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledgling.  He's doing very well, hunting and playing in the park.  As the days have been so hot, a lot of hawk activity has been happening late in the evening - around 8pm - when the whole family gathers and Christo delivers dinner.

The kid is looking great and appears healthy and strong. I've been refering to the hawk as a male, although I don't really know.  The older sibling was determined to be a male. and this one is smaller, leading me to believe it's also male.  I don't have a photo to show the comparison, but he is dwarfed in size by mom Amelia.

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

The fledgling is turning into a really beautiful hawk with a distinctive reddish-brown tail.

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

His back on full display:

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

This little guy has a real affinity for the fences in the park. I don't remember any of the previous fledgling playing around between the bars so much.

Behind bars

Pieces of wood continue to be favorite playthings.

Tompkins red-tail fledgling playing with wood

Christo has been leaving dead prey around the park for the fledgling to practice capturing.  At least three times now, I've seen Christo demonstrate catching prey by jumping down onto it and then calling for the fledgling to come and get it.  That's what happened below, where Christo left the baby rat in the grass, then showed the fledgling where to find it.

Tompkins fledgling with prey

The fledgling has been doing really well hunting on his own.  Below, he surprised me by pulling up a big green caterpillar!

Hawk catches big green caterpillar

He's been very accommodating to his fans. posing for photos on the fences.

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

And, finally, soaring.  I really haven't seen the fledgling fly very high yet, but this last week, he's been flying above the trees and leaving the park.  It's wonderful to see him growing up and exploring.

Tompkins red-tail fledgling

You can see many more recent hawk photos on my Flickr page.


Friday, August 3, 2018

Enjoying the antics of the Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

The hot and sultry weather this week has not slowed down the Tompkins Square Park red-tail fledgling.  He's been extremely active, playing on the ground and catching prey.  His hunting skills are impressive, and he surprises me with something new each day.

Hello! 

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

Just like a toddler, the fledgling hawk can turn anything into a toy.  Below, he plays with a piece of tissue paper.

Fledgling hawk plays with paper

It's hard to make out in this photo, but the hawk is carrying a glass bottle in his talon. Be aware that any trash on the ground can end up in the talons/paws/claws of wildlife.

Fledgling hawk takes off with a medicine bottle

Although I have yet to see this young hawk soar above the trees, his hunting skills are incredible.  He's been doing really well catching mice, caught his first pigeon on July 31, and caught his first sparrow on August 1. He even dug up and ate a worm!

Fledgling hawk catches first sparrow

He followed that up by catching a cicada!

Fledgling hawk with cicada

When live prey was not available, the fledgling scavenged an old pigeon wing from one of the planted areas.  Waste not, want not.

Tompkins Square fledgling red-tail with a feather

My favorite experiences with this hawk continue to be those where he surprises people with his presence.  He's been spending a lot of time low and on the ground as he hunts, which puts him down at our eye-level.

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling

This fun time with the young hawk won't last long. As soon as he's able to fly and feed himself, he will venture off on his own to explore the world, so let's enjoy and admire him while we can.