Branching and fledging - Part 2

As previously noted, the first of the Tompkins Square Park red-tailed hawks chicks fledged on June 6. We visited the park yesterday and saw two flying around with the parents, so the third is likely to fledge any time.

This is Fledgling #1 exploring the branches of the nest tree:

Back at the nest, mom Amelia watches #2 practice flapping its wings.

 

Then #1 makes a flight to a neighboring tree.

Fledgling #1 made a few back-and-forth flights, looking great and sticking the landings.

Chick #2 seemed inspired by its sibling and continued practicing at the nest.

Then #2 ventured out to the far limbs of the tree and let us see its big and beautiful wings.

Looking a little nervous!

After exercising for a while, #2 settled in and rested in the evening sun. It would then take a flight to another part of the tree where it tangled in some branches, but we are considering that mostly a fledge.

This is #3, taking in the activities of its siblings and making flight plans of its own...

This is a very exciting time for these birds and also a time when they are very vulnerable. They are now focused on learning to fly and land safely. They will likely try and stay in the trees for several days until they get their strength and confidence up to be able to maneuver and become familiar with their environment.

 

At some point, they will come to the ground to play or practice hunting. It's imperative that people be aware of this and give them plenty of space. Please keep dogs off the fenced-in lawns as dogs pose a huge threat to the birds. Every year, we have to argue with dog owners about keeping their dogs in the dog run and are met with entitled indignant hostility, which ruins the experience for everyone. Tompkins Square Park has minimal staffing, so we must take care of the park ourselves, which includes taking care of the wildlife.

Seeing hawks running around on the ground is normal as they are likely playing. However, if you see one that appears to be in distress or is sick (eyes closed, drooped head, not moving), call 311 and ask for the Urban Park Rangers. More wildlife help info can be found on this page.

Branching and fledging - Part 1

The first of the Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk chicks fledged (flew from the nest tree to a neighboring tree) yesterday, June 6. The second chick made a "fludge" or half-fledge as it attempted to fly, but missed the landing and got tangled in some branches. We expect it to make a real flight today.

But we must back up a bit!

This was the scene on May 27, when all three chicks were still in the nest. The youngest is in the middle and I believe the oldest is on the right.

The young one still has a whole head of white fuzzy down.

The little one then takes a rest and watches one of its siblings practice flapping.

The little one has another go at it - the three siblings seemed to have a system down for taking turns exercising in their confined space.

Last Thursday, (June 2) we checked on the nest during a thunderstorm and found the oldest sitting outside of it on the branch. This counts as branching.

The second chick seemed to be getting ideas about branching him/herself.

After the rain stopped, the first chick made a few stretches before hopping back into the nest.

After a little while, the oldest became much more adventurous and climbed out to the end of a limb.

It's a big new world out there!

This chick is identifiable by one of its tail feathers that has a white stripe on it.

Meanwhile, the second chick decided to climb up to the top of the tree above the nest.

In the photo below, you can see the nest on the lower left, the second chick perched above it, and the first chick way out to the right.

Later, parents Amelia and Christo prepared dinner for the energetic kids. It appears to be a baby mourning dove and it was (unfortunately) still alive when Christo brought it to the tree. The two hawks both hung on to it for a while until it stopped struggling.

Then Amelia administered the fatal neck squeeze before taking the meal back to the nest where all three chicks reassembled for dinner time.

Part 2 will feature fledge photos...

Spring Bird Migration 2022 - Part 2

Spring bird migration has peaked in the NYC area as most of the migrants are continuing on their way to their northern nesting grounds. Below are a few highlights seen in Tompkins Square Park, Central Park, Governors Island and Jamaica Bay.

 Magnolia warbler:

Blackburnian warbler:

Yellow-rumped warbler:

Black-throated blue warbler:

Indigo bunting:

Baltimore oriole:

Seaside sparrow:

American goldfinch:

Ruby-crowned kinglet:

Black-and-white warbler:

Bay-breasted warbler:

Northern parula:

Nashville warbler:

It's also the time of year to start seeing fledgling birds, like this sweet little European Starling.

Not a songbird, but Ospreys migrate to Jamaica Bay in the spring to nest and this one shows us its bright eyes illuminated by the sunset.

Previously: Spring Bird Migration 2022 - Part 1.