Checking in on the Tompkins Square hawk family

As I noted a couple of weeks ago, Tompkins Square red-tailed hawks, Amelia and M2, have had 3 chicks. Their nest is in a different tree this year and is difficult to see, but here is a tease of some chick pics to come:

In the photo above, the three nestlings are sitting up while Amelia feeds the middle one. I'm hoping they will be easier to see as they get bigger, otherwise we'll just have to wait until they fledge the nest. The photo above was taken from about two blocks away and is heavily cropped.

 

This photo, taken on May 1, shows M2 and Amelia on the nest. The tree has since grown a lot more leaves.

To date, the family appears to be doing well. M2 brings in regular meals and Amelia feeds the chicks. Christo used to participate in feeding the chicks, but M2 has a different style and, so far, is dedicated to hunting. It will be interesting to see how he handles his dad duties once the chicks fledge.

 

Meanwhile, the hawk parents are sticking close to home, and can be seen taking breaks to eat and bathe. Below, Amelia and M2 take a dip in the gutter of St Brigid's church on a warm day.

Amelia only stays a few minutes before heading back to the nest.

M2's bath is interrupted when he spots some pigeons across the street.

Whereas Christo specialized in catching rats, M2 is the master of catching birds. He always seems to be hunting, so he took off to pursue the pigeons.

I've had a challenging time photographing M2 as he's always on the move. I was spoiled by Christo who spent so much time down in the park, perching low on fences and benches. Since M2 primarily hunts birds, he spends more time up high cruising rooftops around the park. One day, I was happy he spent an extended period of time perched in a tree where I could get a good look at him.

One evening, I caught him having some dinner in a tree near 10th Street.

Note his bright white eyebrows.

This is M2 after he caught a pigeon on the roof of St Brigid's. He paused just long enough for me to take one photo. Note his bright yellow eyes, indicating his young age. For now, they are a good way to identify him, as Amelia has dark brown eyes (she's also larger).

More to come...

Spring Bird Migration 2025 - Part 1

Spring bird migration is in full swing and below are some of my favorites, in no particular order.

Hermit Thrush:

Eastern Towhee:

Golden-Winged Warbler:

Blue-Winged Warbler:

Yellow Warbler:

Chimney Swift:

Eastern Meadowlark:

Orchard Oriole:

Black-and-White Warbler:

A young Bald Eagle:

Yellow-Rumped Warbler:

Common Yellowthroat eating aphids:

Green Heron:

Chipping Sparrow:

Song Sparrow:

A White-Crowned Sparrow creeping around in the shadows of Central Park:

Osprey season

Here in NYC, I consider my first Osprey sighting in spring to be the official end of winter. They migrate north for the breeding season and spend the summer around Jamaica Bay.

Each year, I also have to talk up Cornell's Hellgate Osprey cam. It stars Iris, a female Osprey who is nearly 30 years old, and her nest in a parking lot in Missoula, Montana. She's experienced some drama the last few years and this season, it looks like she may have a new male suitor. Tune in and fall in love with her.

Meanwhile, I love photographing Ospreys because they are active and often make eye contact as they hover overhead.

You looking at me?!

More often than not, they're looking down as they search for fish.

More than any other raptor, they will fly towards me, presenting a lot of good photographic opportunities.

This one has a fish. Part of the fun of observing Ospreys is trying to identify the fish they catch. 

If I could spend my days flying, fishing and enjoying sunsets, I'd be a happy bird.

Spotlight on Ducks

First, a quick hawk update: Amelia and M2 in Tompkins Square have 3 chicks. They are currently very small and extremely hard to see, but I will have updates later.

For the best real-time look at what goes on in a hawk nest, I recommend tuning in to Cornell's Red-Tailed Hawk Cam, featuring parents Big Red and Arthur. At the time of this posting, they have one chick, one egg, and a hatch in progress.

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I've not given ducks much attention on this site, but they deserve some love. 

Just look at this female Ring-Necked Duck happily bathing in a wetland.

Two females and a male:

A lone male:

In this photo, a male Ring-Necked Duck tags along with a male Redhead.

This is a female Hooded Merganser showing us her wonderful hairdo:

Her male partner:

I found this Black Scoter pair (female and male) hanging around Coney Island.

Two males:

A female Surf Scoter up close:

A distant male:

American Wigeons can be found along the Brooklyn waterfront in the winter months.

Two female Common Mergansers seen in Central Park:

This is a female Red-Breasted Merganser, seen in the harbor.

 

A male Greater Scaup:

This is a Common Loon transitioning into its breeding plumage. Its head will eventually be all black.

A pair of Wood Ducks (female and male):

A female Northern Shoveler in Central Park:

A male:

A flock of Shovelers fly across the reservoir. They're some of my favorite ducks, and they gather in large numbers in Central Park in the winter. Right about now, they're on their way through northern Canada and Alaska, making their way to their breeding grounds.