![Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1974/43087833750_6d8649e7a4_b.jpg)
I've seen the fledgling perched on the cross of St Nicholas of Myra church at Avenue A and 10th Street, and eating lunch with mom Amelia on the roof above Mast Books on Avenue A and 5th Street, but I don't know if he's ventured much further from the park than that. He still seems perfectly happy to stay in the park where he continues to entertain his adoring fans.
![Hawkwatchers](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1911/31026305308_cbfa824164_b.jpg)
I caught him perched on the cellphone transmitters on the roof of the park bathrooms the other day just after he'd had a bath.
![After the bath](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1901/43998715865_ba461b64b6_b.jpg)
Shaking it off...
![After the bath](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1916/43998717995_305fbbb7a5_b.jpg)
The park squirrels continue to bully and intimidate the young hawk, but one of them finally suffered the consequences and became a meal.
![Tompkins red-tail fledgling eats a squirrel](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1974/43998768275_020bca250c_b.jpg)
On Monday, I watched as the fledgling caught a monster rat near the basketball courts.
![Tompkins red-tail fledgling catches a rat](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1935/43099372720_4da2f3cfd6_b.jpg)
Ta-da!
![Tompkins red-tail fledgling catches a rat](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1917/29975016727_fc0fcb6650_b.jpg)
The rat put up a struggle, but this was the fatal bite to the neck.
![The fatal bite](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1905/29975012977_1bfda9a55c_b.jpg)
![Tompkins red-tail fledgling catches a rat](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1927/43099381190_06b9aa625b_b.jpg)
The hawk experienced some difficulties lifting his heavy catch, but he managed to take off and carry it to a nearby tree.
![Tompkins red-tail fledgling catches a rat](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1927/43099385990_1f0c078e29_b.jpg)
A short time later, eating rat spaghetti...mmm!
![Tompkins red-tail fledgling eats rat spaghetti](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1934/44191669164_4e110488b0_b.jpg)
Apparently the giant rat wasn't enough, because after eating, the fledgling went and caught himself a second one. He's doing very well catching prey.
![Tompkins red-tail fledgling with the 3rd rodent of the afternoon](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1965/44911551421_564d22c2fe_b.jpg)
The hawk is still very much a kid and plays with his food. Below, he chest-bumps a mouse before eating it.
![Tompkins red-tail fledgling chest-bumps a mouse](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1977/44861782822_c6c0360ce5_b.jpg)
I have no idea how long the fledgling will stick around the park, but I hope he stays as long as possible. He's become a familiar and joyful fixture there, and makes so many people happy.
See more recent hawk photos on my Flickr page.
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