Late Sunday afternoon, I found red-tailed hawk Amelia munching on the remains of a pigeon in Tompkins Square Park.
All that was left was the drumstick.
Foot in mouth!
A post-meal beak-cleaning:
After such a big meal, Amelia showed off her huge bulging crop. She then spent the next hour resting and digesting.
Meanwhile, Christo took up a pose on his golden throne, the top of the flag pole in front of the park offices.
Something caught his eye...
I followed him to a tree near the Temperance Fountain, where he was taking in the last of the late afternoon sun.
A squirrel approached, but Christo wasn't interested.
Instead, Christo chose to dive after something else.
Something right in front of me.
My camera lost focus after this. He landed on a rat that had been frolicking in the grass a couple of feet in front of me.
There it goes...
Christo obligingly paused for a brief pre-dinner photo op.
The procedure is to pop off the head and eat that first.
As Christo enjoyed his dinner, an immature Cooper's hawk snuck into the tree across the way and watched as Christo ate.
No time for chasing Cooper's hawks today! Christo quickly downed the rat and took one last look around before the sun disappeared behind the buildings.
And then he went off to roost under a fire escape. In winter months, he usually does this, keeping close to the warm brick buildings.
After Christo was put to bed, I returned to check on Amelia. She did not stay in the park, but disappeared over the buildings west of Avenue A where I was unable to relocate her. I've only caught her going to roost once - she's much more secretive than Christo, who sticks close to the park at night.
Join us as we chronicle the lives of East Village red-tailed hawks, Christo, Amelia, and Dora, as well as other New York City wildlife.
Monday, December 23, 2019
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Raptors down south: Part 1
I took a trip down south to Florida this last November where I saw so many birds, it was almost overwhelming. All birds, all the time!
I made my first visit last February and counted 83 species. This last trip added 42 to my Florida list, and those were just the ones I was able to positively identify.
On the previous trip, I wasn't able to get a very good look at a Red-Shouldered Hawk, so I was thrilled to see numerous individuals on the most recent visit. They were everywhere, but most easily spotted perched on power lines along the highways. The red shoulder patch really stands out on the one below.
This one was seen at sunrise in St Mark's Wildlife Refuge, the same place where the Vermilion Flycatcher has been hanging out.
Up in Port St Joe, which was slammed by Hurricane Michael in October 2018, this little kestrel had staked out a territory along a grassy embankment.
The area was composed of a large open field dotted with tree snags, a perfect hunting ground for a kestrel. Below, he snacks on a dragonfly.
The dragonfly turned out to be a Green Darner, which have been found to migrate. The one below hung out with me for almost an hour and let me watch it hunt. It flew back and forth over a patch of grass, pausing for a few seconds on every turn. That's when I was able to snap a photo. That's also when a kestrel is able to nab one!
I didn't see many Red-Tailed Hawks on this trip, but I did see an adult pair hanging out together at Crescent Lake in St Petersburg. Below, one of them gets chased by a Fish Crow.
The raptors above were all found in the wild, but I also visited several parks and animal rehab centers where I was able to see some species up close. On a visit to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St Petersburg, I lucked out when falconer Ash Cary of Knightwings just happened to be visiting for the day. He brought along an array of stunning birds, some of which I'd never seen before.
First up, a Tyrant/Black Hawk-Eagle:
I couldn't take my eyes off this gorgeous guy.
This bird comes from Central and South America, and is only one of a handful in the United States. At the time of this posting, it is the only one on public display, so this was a real treat to see.
Brunch time! When the snacks came out, the Tyrant spread its wings, revealing a black and white checkered pattern on its legs and under-wings. There is also a white patch in its crest.
Another raptor I've never seen before: A Bonelli's Eagle. These are found in Northwest Africa and India.
This is a Wahlberg's Eagle from Eastern and Southern Africa. For some reason, I only came away with one photo of this raptor and this is it.
This beauty is an African Augur Buzzard.
Here we have a European Common Buzzard, similar in appearance to a Red-Tailed Hawk.
The Crested Caracara can be found in Florida, but I did not see any in the wild on this trip.
And finally, a Lanner Falcon:
I felt really privileged to see these raptors close up, and with no one else around. That just doesn't happen here in NYC - a gathering of birds like this would attract a huge crowd. Thanks to Ash Cary for generously sharing his birds. Check out this video interview of him as he talks about his life as a falconer.
I wasn't able to post photos of all his raptors here, so you can see more on my Flickr page.
I made my first visit last February and counted 83 species. This last trip added 42 to my Florida list, and those were just the ones I was able to positively identify.
On the previous trip, I wasn't able to get a very good look at a Red-Shouldered Hawk, so I was thrilled to see numerous individuals on the most recent visit. They were everywhere, but most easily spotted perched on power lines along the highways. The red shoulder patch really stands out on the one below.
This one was seen at sunrise in St Mark's Wildlife Refuge, the same place where the Vermilion Flycatcher has been hanging out.
Up in Port St Joe, which was slammed by Hurricane Michael in October 2018, this little kestrel had staked out a territory along a grassy embankment.
The area was composed of a large open field dotted with tree snags, a perfect hunting ground for a kestrel. Below, he snacks on a dragonfly.
The dragonfly turned out to be a Green Darner, which have been found to migrate. The one below hung out with me for almost an hour and let me watch it hunt. It flew back and forth over a patch of grass, pausing for a few seconds on every turn. That's when I was able to snap a photo. That's also when a kestrel is able to nab one!
I didn't see many Red-Tailed Hawks on this trip, but I did see an adult pair hanging out together at Crescent Lake in St Petersburg. Below, one of them gets chased by a Fish Crow.
The raptors above were all found in the wild, but I also visited several parks and animal rehab centers where I was able to see some species up close. On a visit to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St Petersburg, I lucked out when falconer Ash Cary of Knightwings just happened to be visiting for the day. He brought along an array of stunning birds, some of which I'd never seen before.
First up, a Tyrant/Black Hawk-Eagle:
I couldn't take my eyes off this gorgeous guy.
This bird comes from Central and South America, and is only one of a handful in the United States. At the time of this posting, it is the only one on public display, so this was a real treat to see.
Brunch time! When the snacks came out, the Tyrant spread its wings, revealing a black and white checkered pattern on its legs and under-wings. There is also a white patch in its crest.
Another raptor I've never seen before: A Bonelli's Eagle. These are found in Northwest Africa and India.
This is a Wahlberg's Eagle from Eastern and Southern Africa. For some reason, I only came away with one photo of this raptor and this is it.
This beauty is an African Augur Buzzard.
Here we have a European Common Buzzard, similar in appearance to a Red-Tailed Hawk.
The Crested Caracara can be found in Florida, but I did not see any in the wild on this trip.
And finally, a Lanner Falcon:
I felt really privileged to see these raptors close up, and with no one else around. That just doesn't happen here in NYC - a gathering of birds like this would attract a huge crowd. Thanks to Ash Cary for generously sharing his birds. Check out this video interview of him as he talks about his life as a falconer.
I wasn't able to post photos of all his raptors here, so you can see more on my Flickr page.
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Vermilion flycatcher revisited
In November, I visited St. Marks Wildlife Refuge in northwest Florida and was stunned to find this male Vermilion Flycatcher.
I first visited the wildlife refuge back in February and also saw a male Vermilion Flycatcher. Could this be the same individual nine months later? It's possible, but I can't say for sure.
Ebird stats show a Vermilion Flycatcher occurring at this location regularly October through March, so either the same male over-winters there, or this is a popular spot for them to visit. This video shows one at the same spot in the refuge in November 2017.
I'd like to believe it's the same bird as he appears alone, and has been found in the same small area of the 80,000 acre refuge.
Whether or not he is the same bird seen last spring is up for debate, but either way, I'm really excited to have seen a Vermilion Flycatcher twice in the same area.
I first visited the wildlife refuge back in February and also saw a male Vermilion Flycatcher. Could this be the same individual nine months later? It's possible, but I can't say for sure.
Ebird stats show a Vermilion Flycatcher occurring at this location regularly October through March, so either the same male over-winters there, or this is a popular spot for them to visit. This video shows one at the same spot in the refuge in November 2017.
I'd like to believe it's the same bird as he appears alone, and has been found in the same small area of the 80,000 acre refuge.
Whether or not he is the same bird seen last spring is up for debate, but either way, I'm really excited to have seen a Vermilion Flycatcher twice in the same area.
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Red-tails Christo and Amelia share Saturday brunch on First Avenue
After being out of town for several days, I eagerly set out on Saturday to find our local red-tailed hawks, Christo and Amelia. I didn't have to look far as I found Amelia perched on a building on First Avenue and 2nd Street.
I must have just missed her catching this pigeon.
After perching for several minutes, Amelia readjusted her catch and began plucking it. As she did this, other pigeons kept trying to land on the ledge beside her. They seemed not to notice her until they were inches away, then would quickly turn and dive over the side of the wall. Over the next 45 minutes, as Amelia enjoyed her brunch, the pigeons repeatedly tried to land next to her, only to make the same mistake over and over. They really wanted to perch on that ledge!
From my vantage point on the street corner, I could see Christo flying up and down Avenue A. I wasn't sure what he was up to until he flew over to First Avenue, landed on a building across the street from Amelia, and let out a piercing scream.
Circling over Amelia was an immature red-tailed hawk, an intruder in the territory.
Amelia seemed not to care about the other hawk, but continued eating and eventually flew off towards Second Avenue. Christo kept screaming and chased after the younger hawk before landing in the same spot where Amelia had been.
He picked up the brunch leftovers, which looked to be just a drumstick.
Christo took the pigeon leg over the buildings across the street, so I decided to head over to Tompkins Square Park.
When I arrived at the park, I saw Amelia and Christo had beat me there and were already perched on top of the Christodora on Avenue B. I wondered if they could be watching the intruder who was probably still around.
I never got to find out, as Amelia suddenly took off and flew towards the East River. A couple of seconds later, Christo followed her.
Meanwhile, in the park, the two old hawk nests are clearly visible now that the leaves have disappeared from the trees. Below is the most recently used nest in a ginkgo tree on the east side of the park.
And this is what's left of the 2017 nest in a locust near the Temperance Fountain. This nest was home to the single hawklet, Ten, who was also Dora's last offspring.
We'll have to wait until some time around January or February to see what nesting plans Christo and Amelia make this season.
I must have just missed her catching this pigeon.
After perching for several minutes, Amelia readjusted her catch and began plucking it. As she did this, other pigeons kept trying to land on the ledge beside her. They seemed not to notice her until they were inches away, then would quickly turn and dive over the side of the wall. Over the next 45 minutes, as Amelia enjoyed her brunch, the pigeons repeatedly tried to land next to her, only to make the same mistake over and over. They really wanted to perch on that ledge!
From my vantage point on the street corner, I could see Christo flying up and down Avenue A. I wasn't sure what he was up to until he flew over to First Avenue, landed on a building across the street from Amelia, and let out a piercing scream.
Circling over Amelia was an immature red-tailed hawk, an intruder in the territory.
Amelia seemed not to care about the other hawk, but continued eating and eventually flew off towards Second Avenue. Christo kept screaming and chased after the younger hawk before landing in the same spot where Amelia had been.
He picked up the brunch leftovers, which looked to be just a drumstick.
Christo took the pigeon leg over the buildings across the street, so I decided to head over to Tompkins Square Park.
When I arrived at the park, I saw Amelia and Christo had beat me there and were already perched on top of the Christodora on Avenue B. I wondered if they could be watching the intruder who was probably still around.
I never got to find out, as Amelia suddenly took off and flew towards the East River. A couple of seconds later, Christo followed her.
Meanwhile, in the park, the two old hawk nests are clearly visible now that the leaves have disappeared from the trees. Below is the most recently used nest in a ginkgo tree on the east side of the park.
And this is what's left of the 2017 nest in a locust near the Temperance Fountain. This nest was home to the single hawklet, Ten, who was also Dora's last offspring.
We'll have to wait until some time around January or February to see what nesting plans Christo and Amelia make this season.
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