Peregrines of Broadway Bridge

One of the great spectacles of nature is the aerial hunt of peregrine falcons. At Broadway Bridge, about 3000 starlings come home to roost at dusk. Waiting for them are two of the most successful falcons in NYC.


They both formed up in gyre over Kingsbridge.

They then launched a coordinated attack on the incoming starlings!
First the female, then the male stooped in on the Bridge...the action was too fast to capture, here's what I managed to snag of it.

The panicked starlings fleeing for their very lives!

The female recovering to perch on the South Tower.

Next up, Ill try to get it on video!

Highbridge Park

I decided to take another look at Highbridge this Fall. Although it still has some serious squatter issues, it also holds a great abundance of migratory birds. Here's the highlights and some surprises.
A gorgeous Palm Warbler.

Also in abundance were yellow rumps,


including this musically inclined individual!

Kinglets and sparrows of all types were in abundance.



I was also surprised to see a blue headed vireo feeding on the ground!

Last but not least were more that a dozen phoebes sprinkled throughout the Park.

Oh, I almost forgot...this mockingbird was thrashing a small snake!

Hanging with the Horvaths Part 1: Eagle Release

I trekked out to the Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown Long Island to take part in a Bald Eagle release. This female has been in the Horvath's care for over 1 year due to its extensive feather damage. They are also caring for an immature male that is just getting over a nasty case of avian pox. Here's pix and video of the days activity!
First, here's the male and a pic of the healing process and his release into a creance for flight training.


And here's the release of the fully rehabbed female!
Checking flight feathers...

and placing her on the post.

Off she goes!

The eagle has landed!

Majestic Bird!

Good luck and kudos to the Horvath's for another fine job.

Recent Captures

From the northern evirons of Manhattan the shift in the weather brings lots of great action. Here are some pix of the highlights.


Pied billed Grebe on the Reservoir,

the last of the butterflys.


Fall takes flight!