The Dogs Days of Winter

Turn out to be the best for birding! Raptor activity is begining to peak; the mated pairs are reinforcing their bonds before nesting while last years hatchlings are fattening up before being pushed out by these established pairs. Also visible are large numbers of waterbirds, all providing great birding for those brave enough to withstand the harsh conditions. Here's a smorgasboard of these late winter birds!
I spotted this immature Cooper's hawk at dusk.

In the failing light the bird was hunting vigourously!


I watched it swoop from branch

to branch!

At one point even running very rapidly up a long tree limb.


Eventually, after following the bird for about 20 minutes, I lost it to the night!

I also managed to get some close shots of this Kestrel on the Upper West Side.
Is he still up there!?!




And also of Pale Male over the Met,

and one of the CPN rth's hunting on the stiff breeze!


Also in attendance on the Meer were gadwalls, ruddys, buffleheads and gulls.


While on the Resevoir was a huge flock of ruddies

and a quartet of Hooded Mergansers!



Last is something I found on top of one of the skyscrapers next to the GM peregrines...

Looks like their diet includes red-bellied woodpecker!