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!
Highbridge Park is the last undiscovered gem of the NYC Park system. There have been recent "improvements" such as the new stairway and greenwalk near the Watertower, but many historical parts of this Park--such as the John Brush Stairwell--remain derelict. This combined with the large amount of homeless still living in the Park make for a truly wild natural environment. Due to its varied terrain, it is also a great stopover for many migratory birds such as warblers, flycatchers, orioles, tanagers and raptors. Here's are some highlights from my Sunday walk. When I first entered the Park at 155th, I could hear many birds singing in the canopy. Walking North, I soon encountered many warblers buzzing about. I reached a favored overlook near the Harlem River where the woods were alive with the melodious songs of orioles. At this one location there were close to 1 dozen all flitting about, chasing each other and making mating calls. Many first year birds as well as females were also present. Soon a few kingbirds also showed up and struck various scenic poses. Goldfinches, house finches, swallows, woodpeckers and this house wren were all trilling, cavorting and otherwise engaging in nesting behavior. Speaking of nesting behavior...the redtails and their 2 babies are doing just great. Happy Momma's Day! Looks like Im not the only one trying to change things for the better!
I had a great time birding there on Friday. Many notables such as brown creeper, palm warbler, towhee and this wonderful little guy! It was quite entertaining watching this gnatcatcher vocalize and flit about the branches. Quite a little character. Speaking of characters, on my way to the nest, I encountered this gnarly looking dude. Wow, that's a pretty big snake! I was also surprised that his injury didnt seem to affect his flight at all. After he cleared out, the HB male cruised by, pursued by crows. At the nest, I found momma and 1 chick visible. She soon departed and that revealed... two fluffy heads!!! Good luck little guys!
After many weather delays, and some sloth, I finally managed to get the lead out for my annual Hawk Walk tour of Harlem raptors. The morning was crisp, and Robert and I were rewarded with the Cathedral pair, making a pass on the Dwyer, then landing across the street! The male, who then flew out, he and the female then and joined up over Morningside. After they both flew off south, I noticed a peregrine on top of Riverside Church. I watched through my spotting scope as it dove off the antenna and quickly returned with a pigeon. It then de-feathered the bird, high above Columbia! So far we were off to a great start. We then wended over to the Hudson and walked North to Riverbank State Park. In the past few weeks I had seen both peregrines perched over the Manhattan Waste Transfer Station, but they werent there today. As we came to 145th, I noticed a huge flock of about 200 starlings rise from the trees. Pigeons were also darting about. Amongst the flock was a large juvenile Cooper's Hawk, trying to snag breakfast! It dove down towards us and broke at a pigeon under the walkway. We ran to the Park and saw it perched above, but were unable to immediately locate it. While scanning the rooftops for it, I noticed an adult male kestrel diving on something. Soon a large juvenile redtailed hawk emerged! After loosing the redtaill, the Cooper's broke over the trees and just missed a pigeon about 20 feet from me. I was able to finally get a pic as it was perched. The underside, Video of it hunting!
After it flew hither and yon for a few minutes it dove into the Park. We were not able to relocate it, but we did come across another adult Redtailed Hawk at about 152nd St., perched on another watertower. Continuing North, there was this strange construction...which I originally thought was a hawk nest! Looking under it, I found droppings, a few sticks, and a pierced pigeon egg, with the yolk sucked out. Very curious. Leaving the Park at 155th soon brought the answer. Listen for the distinctive squawk as Robert goes up the stair!
It was a pair of Monk Parakeets! So cute as they huddled above the Henry Hudson! The next bird encountered was yet another adult Redtailed Hawk at 157th St., across from Boricua College! Finally, we scoured Highbridge Park for birds, and saw 1 adult at 181st St. and as we were packing up to leave, Robert spotted this juvenile with a freshly caught rat! It allowed us to get quite close. Upon further examination, it appears to be a very young redtail, with the orangey breast and tolerance of human presence, characteristic of Urban Hawks. Without being able to prove it, it still appears very likely that this is a fledgling from a second Highbridge nesting attempt this year. We found a nest structure in the original tree from years past. Curious...it will be fascinating in Spring to test this hypothesis! Strangely (and believe me, Highbridge attracts strange), we also encountered these religous slogans tacked to various trees throughout the Park!
Final tally: 116th and Madison Ave--1 juvy RTH 123rd and St. Nicholas--2 adult RTH 123rd and Riverside--1 adult peregrine 145th and Riverside--1 juvy RTH, 1 juvy Cooper's Hawk, 1 adult male kestrel 152nd and Riverside--1 adult RTH 158th and Broadway--1 adult RTH 181st and Harlem River--1 adult RTH Dykman St.--1 juvy RTH
It was a great weekend for the City, and a great weekend for birds. Up at The Cathedral nest it appears there are two babies. Also Triborough Bridge has 3 eyass. CCNY is looking promising, but dark cloud has passed over Highbridge. I rode up to the scenic bluff on St. Nicholas Terrace in the morning. After some time, a hawk emerged from the nest and flew out rapidly to the south. It's clear that alot can be happening in this nest with absolutely no indication from the street. After some time, she emerged from the east. But the weird part is, this is one gargoyle to the south of the nest. Some mantling behavior. After about 15 minutes she emerged. Feeling hopeful, I bounded up to Highbridge. I found the nest dark and lifeless. For over an hour I watched the nest, at one point hearing an oriole nearby which I could not locate. A hawk wheeled overhead, descending to the north. After some time, I walked down the paved path towards Dykeman St. As I reached the part I call the Big Rock, I heard the distinct sounds of a hawk mating! As I looked up, both hawks uncoupled and flew out north over the park. I sprinted towards the nearest clearing just in time to see them form up and grapple! I later saw the female perched above Overlook Terrace as I boarded the train for Broadway Bridge. In a similar scene, at the tip of Manhattan, a falcon flew out of the south tower, diving through the bridge works. She flew out a number of times. I dont know which was more numerous, the pollen from the trees, or the pigeons that roost in the bridge too! Also seen along my travels... HOSP mating... Blue Jay bathing... House Finch eating blossoms. A flycatcher of some sort. At first I thought pewee, but now Im thinking emp. Anyone know, shoot me an email. In any case, a first for St. Nicholas Park. In flight. Last but not least, chimney swifts cavorting!
