Cape May, NJ

I have always been told that Cape May, New Jersey is The Bird Mecca of the continental US, and now I know why. In reality, it is a combination of all of my favorite places to bird, for it contains: The lighthouse of Fire Island, the low scrub pines and grasses of Jones Beach, the profusion of shorebirds as in Jamaica Bay, the passerines of Central Park and of course, my personal fave: the Raptors of Hawk Mountain! In the space of a few hours I was immersed in the richness and bounty that is still to be found on the East Coast during Spring and Fall migrations, as birds of one sort or another move on to wherever it is they go.
A meandering Osprey.





A Broadwinged Hawk emerged out of a kettle of Turkey Vultures!

One of a number of American Kestrels.

Peepers in the thousands!



Bluebirds


Nesting in an old woodpecker hole, at the edge of the grasslands.

And as always, the wandering Osprey...birds of my dreams!

Everyone's Doin It!

What I like about the pair bonding of raptors is the uncomplicated distinction between the pair roles in creating territory, defending it and raising young. The male hunts while the female nests, and when there is a threat, the male defends. Here is the Riverside female issuing her territorial E-Chuk! call as the male comes out and then attacks some unseen intruder (my guess is the plucky Osprey that's been making trips from CP to the West Side).


While the Morningside Kestrels follow the same pattern. It is the female who call the male to mate, and he who hunts for that priviledge. Here is the female coming out of their nesting cavity to receive her prize!





Cant wait for those little chickies!!!

CCNY Hawks

Its still not clear if these hawks will nest on Shepard Hall, but I've been observing them nest-building and mating for the past 2 weeks. Here's some of the action and as always, an interesting surprise!
Mom and Dad, busy adding sticks to their nest.



Thats when another hawk showed up!


WTF...it was last year's baby,

joining in on nest building duty!
The parents amazingly tolerated the youngster, but didnt seem too thrilled when it repeatedly landed in the nest. Is this why they always choose not to pick this location or are they nesting in another spot further uptown? Only time will tell.

Morningside Kestrels

St. John the Divine Hawks

These birds are in serious stealth mode right now...the best times to see them are from 10-11am, 1-2pm on top of Wadleigh, and 6-7pm at the nest again. Good luck to all our nesting raptors, and RIP to the ones that couldnt make it another year. We will go on!




Coming next, kestrels!