Tompkins Square red-tail fledgling doing well in rehab

Following up on last week's post about Tompkins Square hawk Fledgling #3 being taken to rehab, we hear that the hawk is doing well. X-rays showed no broken bones, but the hawk has a soft tissue injury, so it may have had a collision of some kind. It's currently being rehabbed by WINORR, and I'll update as soon as I know more information about its condition.

Below are some photos from last Thursday evening, when the hawk was captured by NYC Urban Park Ranger Sargeant Rob Mastrianni.

Netting the hawk as it perched on a fence:

Rob accomplished this in seconds and the hawk did not put up a fight. It was an extremely hot day and the hawk was likely hot and tired.

Rob performed a preliminary examination and could tell the hawk had a full crop of food and had something wrong with its left wing.

This video clip shows the moment just after the hawk was netted, and the gathering crowd applauded Rob.

Other than being unable to fly, the hawk appeared alert and responsive. As soon as Rob had it in his arms, the fledgling relaxed.

Sargeant Dan, who captured one of our fledglings last year, was also in attendance.

This video shows some close-ups of the hawk.

Bobby Horvath of WINORR arrived and quickly examined the hawk.

It was determined to take the hawk back to WINORR where tests and treatment could be administered. 

 

We thank Rob, Dan and Bobby for their quick response and care given to this hawk. They have done so much for caring for our city raptors and countless hawks are alive today because of their efforts.

Tompkins Square hawk fledgling rescued, taken to rehab

There was concern Thursday afternoon about one of the Tompkins Square Park red-tailed hawk fledglings as it had been observed perching on a fence for over an hour and didn't seem to be behaving right.

I believe this is Fledgling #3, the youngest of the trio.

NYC Urban Park Ranger Rob Mastrianni came to the rescue, quickly netting the hawk as it perched on a fence. After a quick examination, he called Wildlife in Need of Rescue and Rehabiliation (WINORR) and decided the hawk should be taken to rehab for further evaluation.

It wasn't clear exactly what was wrong with the hawk, but it appeared to have a problem with one of its wings and could not fly very well.

Despite that, the hawk remained alert and displayed some energy as it nipped at Rob and flapped its wings several times.

I'll post more photos - and possible video - next week when I know more about the hawk's condition.

In the mean time, a huge thank you to Ranger Rob and Bobby Horvath from WINORR who wasted no time responding to the situation on the hottest afternoon of the hottest day this summer. Rob has rescued several of our fledglings, most recently just last week when one ended up in an air shaft on 10th Street.

And Bobby has cared for countless city raptors, including our Dora, who is now a permanent resident of Long Island.

 

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Below are some highlights of recent fledgling antics in the park.

 

This one took a bath in the pool and dried off on the ladder for a while. This is one of the older siblings, but I'm not sure if it's Fledgling #1 or #2.

This one climbed around in some bushes, looking for critters.

The same hawk then went and tried to pick a lock on a gate. Everything is a toy for these curious young birds.

On the prowl in a tree:

Carrying a piece of wood across one of the lawns:

Learning to balance on unstable branches:

Exploring the area behind the bathrooms:

All the fledglings have enjoyed using the scaffolding around the field house as a jungle gym. Workers inside the construction area told me they've enjoyed watching the hawks as they demolish the famously horrendous restrooms.

This fledgling appeared to be hunting cicadas around the base of a tree, periodically posing on the trunk as the insects made their way up the bark. There's always something for the hawks to investigate.

Stayed tuned for updates on the hawk rescue...

Tuesday hawk highlights

Below are some recent highlights of the Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings. These photos were all taken within the park, which continues to be their home base.

The resident squirrels don't seem to feel threatened by the young hawks, and often hang out very close to them.

One of the fledglings looking fierce in a morning patch of sun:

Another one perches on the swimming pool shower head.

Play-hunting in one of the planted areas:

Stretching:

More to come...