Christo and Amelia gear up for their sixth nesting season

Springtime is fast approaching and East Village red-tails, Christo and Amelia, have been working hard preparing for egg-laying time. Looking back at the last several nesting seasons, Amelia generally lays her first egg in the second week of March, except for 2020, when she laid the first egg on March 4. That year turned out to be a successful one for the hawks, with three successful fledges. 

Fingers crossed this year goes well for them, although I am worried about the imminent construction project that is set to take place in Tompkins Square Park this month, which will entail tearing down the building that houses the restrooms and park offices. I have no idea how the disruption will affect the hawks, but it's probably good that they relocated their nest this year, and it is further away from the construction zone than their previous nest.

A few days ago, I caught Christo flying up to Amelia who was perched on the cross of St Nicholas of Myra church on Avenue A.

It's quite a feat to balance up there in the gusting wind. Note how Christo keeps his talons curled in so he doesn't stab Amelia in the back.

A peeping pigeon passes by...

When he was done (about four seconds later, lol ) Christo leap-frogged over Amelia and landed in front of her.

Here are some photos I never got around to posting earlier. This is Amelia on the cross of St Brigid's church.

This is Christo taking off from the same cross on a different day.

Amelia soaring:

Here she is back at St Brigid's.

And here is the pair on the cross of Most Holy Redeemer, as seen from the park.

Spring officially starts March 20 and I hope that by that time, Amelia will be tucked in her nest, brooding a clutch of eggs.