More Almost Fledges!

The Edgecomb kestrels continue their diligent work...


While the Highbridge Hawks are gaining size daily.

Up at Broadway Bridge, I witnessed an amazing sight...

a peregrine prey transfer!

The female then flew into the scrape,

where she was greeted by at least one nearly fledged young!

Croton Point Park

With the Northern wind I've been expecting an Eagle or two to make their way over the City. So far no luck, so instead I ventured up to their stronghold at Croton Point Park. Here's what I found.
From the 125th St. MetroNorth, I spied this kestrel pair.

Upon arrival, it was clear this was Redtail country!

This adult has light eyes like Norman.

And was no less vigorous in defending it!

Bey found the pair perched together.

We saw this adult Bald Eagle making its rounds.


Also seen were this adult Cooper's,

this juvy Sharpie,

this group of Waxwings,

and this raft of Ruddies.

Spring Symphony

The chorus of birds throughout the City's Parks resounds with the song of renewal. Flowers are blooming, songbirds are nesting and the raptors are sitting on their precious eggs. The perfect timing of all this implies a hidden conductor, silently signaling each section, in a master concert! With its characteristic pauses and crescendos, the music spans the entire range from the tiniest wing beats of the bumble bees, to the massive conglomeration of a huge flock of starlings roosting at dusk. Here's a pictoral equivalent of this masterpiece.







The new male, hunting hard over Morningside for his potential brood!

The resident male kestrel, doing the same!


Isolde, taking a break from nest sitting, atop St. Luke's

Also saw this male kestrel hunting house finches above Barnard campus.

At the nest on CCNY, still cant see if the female is brooding, but the male is following the same pattern as their Cathedral neighbors. Here he is hunting hard over Hamilton Heights, crow in tow!

While the female kestrel on 155th takes a break from nesting duty.

This ragged juvy rth also flew over 155th, stooping on Jackie Robinson Park.


So many storylines, how will it all play out? Will the Cathedral pair be successful despite their troubles, or will they go the way of the Fenway pair? Will the new nest at CCNY be a success? Will the many kestrels nests produce another prodigious crop of fledglings?

Only the master conductor knows, and in due time He will tell us all if we listen carefully enough!

On the Wing

Two juvy redtailed hawks sparring over Riverside Park.

A peregrine from Riverside Church came on scene and chased the two hawks down into the trees, where they stayed put for a while.

The peregrine retreated over to the Church, while the youngsters resumed sailing on the wind.

Fall Birds Part 1

More migrants are moving through still. Large numbers of phoebes, chickadees, yellow rumped warblers and sparrows continue through. There was also a huge number of monarchs until the rains came a few days ago. The cold bracing wind from the northwest ushered in the next phase. Now and for the next few days, large numbers of raptors can also been seen moving through.
Chimney Swift

Skipper and Sulphur



Adult and immature White Crowned


Lincoln's Sparrow


Phoebe eyes a monarch


Monarch feeding

Ruby Crowned Kinglet


Blue Grosbeak


Escape Parakeet


Chickadee

Chipper

Jay


Crows

St. John's Hawks


The last flock of pigeons in Harlem