Monday, July 22, 2024

Tompkins hawk fledglings explore rooftops and buildings

The Tompkins Square hawk fledglings have been exploring the streets and buildings surrounding the park.

I found this one perched on top of a building on Avenue B and East 7th Street.

Fledgling hawk on a rooftop.

From there, the hawk flew a block north where it tried out the cross of St Brigid's church. This is a favorite spot for hawk parents, Christo and Amelia.

Fledgling hawk at St Brigid's Church.

Over on Avenue A and East 11th Street, one of the fledglings discovered a rooftop fence, but two territorial Mockingbirds did not tolerate the hawk's visit.

Fledgling hawk mobbed by two mockingbirds.

Back over on East 8th Street, one of the youngsters found a nice windowsill on which to rest in the sweltering summer heat.

Fledgling hawk on a window sill.

Anybody home?!

Fledgling hawk on a window sill.

The hawk laid down on the sill - it looked to me like there may have been some pooled water there, so maybe the ledge felt cool.

Fledgling hawk on a window sill.

After resting on the window, the hawk hopped over to an adjacent fire escape and let its wings hang out, which is something the birds do to stay cool in the heat.

Fledgling hawk on a fire escape.

Fledgling hawk on a fire escape.

Fledgling hawk on a fire escape.

Stretching:

Fledgling hawk on a fire escape.

As evening set in, the hawk flew off and returned to the park.

Fledgling hawk flies past a window.

On a recent morning, I found one of the hawks on the main lawn playing with what I thought was some plastic trash.

Fledgling hawk playing with eyeglasses.

A closer look revealed the trash to be a pair of eyeglasses!

Fledgling hawk playing with eyeglasses.

Although the young hawks are becoming more independent, they still act like kids, often crying for food when ever they see their parents flying around. Below, one of the fledglings returns to the nest and cries. Before the hawks could fly well, Christo and Amelia would drop food at the nest for the youngsters to retrieve, but they have not been using the nest now for several weeks.

Fledgling hawk returns to the nest.

As previously noted here and here, the hawks have been using the park sprinklers to cool off during the recent heat wave. The hawk below tried out the mist at the Avenue A playground on a sweltering evening.

Fledgling hawk cools off in a sprinkler.

Fledgling hawk cools off in a sprinkler.

This video shows the hawk getting down in the water and almost toppling over while getting a good soak.


And in this one, the hawk sticks its face directly in the spray.


Finally, as seen at the end of the previous post, the fledglings have been enjoying the decorative rooftop fence of the landmarked building at Avenue B and East 8th Street. I've been seeing them go up there in the evenings just before sunset. The one pictured below has its wings slightly open to catch some of the breeze.

Fledgling hawk cools off on a rooftop perch.

Later, after the sun went down, the hawk flew across the street to St Brigid's church. The mosquitoes were feasting on me by this time, so I had to take my leave.

Fledgling hawk flies to teh cross at St Brigid's church after sunset..

More to come...

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