Riverside Dad

The apparently unbanded male choosing a very appropriate ambush point. Phew!

Close Hawks

Caught up with the Cathedral youngsters as they cavorted in the Close. The symbolism was impossible to ignore. Some video of them chasing squirrels. Pure awesomeness!

Morningside Kestrel Fledges

In the month of May finding kestrels is usually next to impossible. That changes when the young fledge and young kestrels can be found a variety of ways. The first is that the protective parents will attack any raptor in the area. I also listen for the tried and true method of "what are the robins piping at?" This works in the early fledge period, but as the youngsters become better at flying, they will chase down any robin that makes an alarm. The way to find them now and until they move off in the fall, is in the early morning or late evening when its feeding time. The young will beg incessantly and given a little patience, they can be seen hiding in the upper stories of trees. Getting good shots of the hyperactive falcons is next to impossible as they dart through the foliage. I found the young female begging at the scrape. Here's the young male in various trees.

Harlem Nesters

On Sunday I took an early morning walk around Harlem to survey as many nesting birds as possible. At CCNY, I found the adult RTH pair atop Shepard Hall. Looks like its the Momma with the bad eye. Dad was nearby, and got chased out by the adult male kestrel. After some searching, I found out why. Looks like there's at least 3 young from his 135th St. nest. Walking North, I found this just fledged crow at 145th and Broadway. In Riverside Park, I found the daddy Monk Parakeet with the missing toes guarding his nest. Didnt see youngsters, but they were very skittish so I left them in peace. Working back south again, I found this adult Black-backed Gull with a bunker. Finally, at Riverside Church, the young falcons practice their flight skills with a game of tag.

Long Beach, Long Island

Not to close yet not too far, Long Beach has a great blend of convenience and wildness. Coming in on the train, I spotted 3 glossy ibis in the marshes and an adult peregrine with a juvenile atop the Long Beach water tower. By the time I got there, they had flown off, but I did find Rescue Ink. On the bay side was an american oyster catcher, a lone fish crow, a kingfisher and this gull billed tern. Across the bay, on the small islands, I spotted juvenile osprey. One of the parents showed up with food and then appeared 3 youngsters. Back out to feed the hungry brood. Walking inland, there was a green heron flyby, waxwings and this juvenile mockingbird. Doing the mockingbird dance. I found these barn swallows gathering nest materials. Sunning on a dock. Finally, near sunset, this group of about 12 egrets and 5 blue herons gathered in the marshes.