Hawk fledglings chase squirrels, catch prey, and play in a sprinkler

The Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk fledglings have really been spectacular the last several days as they demonstrate their ever-improving hunting skills.

The young hawks always go for the squirrels, who easily out-maneuver them, but there have been a few close strikes. The squirrel in these photos seemed to have no fear as it taunted the hawk, but its luck may change some day.

Those are serious talons!

This fledgling took several runs at a squirrel on a tree, but came up short each time.

However, the hawks have had success catching their own prey. This one grabbed a pigeon right in front of me. They have also caught rats and mice.

After getting so much exercise chasing prey around the park, this fledgling decided to cool off in one of the playground sprinklers.

These videos show the hawk's thorough bathing process.

After the shower, the hawk flew up to a fence to dry off. Seeing them use the sprinklers is something I look forward to each year.

I'm really happy to see this trio making so much progress seeing as they have only been out of the nest for less than a month. The time flies quickly, so if you're passing through the park in the next couple of weeks, be sure to seek them out before they decide to take off on their own.

Happy holiday weekend with the Tompkins Square hawks

Happy holiday weekend! For those spending the long weekend in Tompkins Square Park, look out for the three hawk fledglings who are getting more confident as they improve their flying and hunting skills. They have been learning their hawk skills quickly, and I saw one successfully catch a pigeon earlier in the week.

If they come to the ground, be mindful and give them space. All of my photos are taken with a 400mm telephoto lens, and are cropped.

Generally, I've found most people to be respectful of the hawks, but there have been issues this year with unleashed dogs chasing them in the grass. At this age, the young hawks haven't learned to fear danger, and their tolerance of people can make them vulnerable. 

This fledgling on a fence attracted a lot of attention, but people were cool with it and enjoyed its presence from a respectable distance.

Meanwhile, its sibling snacked on a pigeon in the grass. 

After bathing in a puddle, this hawk perched in a tree to dry its feathers.

I can't really tell the three fledglings apart. I've been seeing two hang out together while the third is more independent, but I can't always be sure I'm looking at the same two, or if they switch positions. All three have been staying pretty close together, and both parents have been spending a lot of time with them within the park.

Stretching:

The fledgling appears to be totally relaxed, hanging out in a tree with its leg stretched out.

These two spent some quality time together in a tree over the main lawn.

Stretching out that tail and a wing:

I wish I could do this with my neck...

This fledgling flies up to a tree branch, screaming at Mom, who was waiting there.

The whole hawk family has been doing really well and it's great to see so many people excited by them. They bring some welcome positivity to our days. More to come...

Mid-week hawk highlights

Checking in on the Tompkins Square Red-Tailed Hawk family, we find Mom Amelia perched in a tree plucking a pigeon she caught minutes before.

One of her kids approaches...

The fledgling lands on the branch and Amelia hands off the pigeon.

But there's a scuffle and the hawks drop the pigeon. Oops!

The pigeon happened to fall down onto the middle of one of the busy pathways in the park. Amelia kept looking down at it like she wanted to go get it, but she was hesitant. Meanwhile, the fledgling perched on a branch above the pigeon and cried, so I picked up the dead pigeon and relocated it to a fenced-in area, making sure both hawks saw where their food went. Seconds later, the hungry fledgling went to the ground and enjoyed its meal.

After dinner, there's nothing like a stroll through the flower garden.

If you can't find the hawks in the trees, they could very well be hidden in the shrubbery.

Over on the main lawn, one of the fledglings poses in a tree.

The hawk spots something and takes off.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the park, another fledgling explores some fences.

They're still mastering those balance beam skills. 

With each passing day, the hawks improve their flying and often swoop across the park. 

They're getting faster, and I almost missed this shot completely as the hawk zipped above my head.

More to come...