Friday, March 15, 2013
Nesting at the Cathedral
As always Isolde is in stealth mode. But now that the nest is bigger, it is possible to see her tail feathers jutting above the lip. In a few days when she starts brooding it may be impossible to see her, but the hawks are definitely nesting there again.
Monday, March 11, 2013
North Woods Owling
I couldnt make it to Robert's sighting last night, so I tried today to see if we could spot the Barred Owl.
After searching the last know location I got a text that it had been re-found in the North Woods. As I got there a small group of photographers was shooting the bird in a gnarly old tree.
Its camo was working well but it was very alert as there were large numbers of hawks about. As we settled in to watch it was harassed by multiple birds like tit-mice, cardinals and the occasional Dee.
It was also buzzed by some photographers which made it very uneasy. Unfortunately one of them got too close and the bird flew from its gorgeous perch just as the sun arrived. I then took some personal time to let the situation de-escalate and then returned to the find the bird's new perch. After a while it became relaxed enough to preen and stretch.
Flyout was at 645.
We followed it around the Loch as it flew from perch to perch, scanning the hill.
It flew across the West Drive and drove a red-tailed hawk out of a large oak. We then stood slient as it dropped down to a tree stump beside the drive.
Don't let this pic fool you, it was very dark (just look at the pupils) and was digging into a hole at the top.
There was something in there, but we couldnt tell what. Whatever it was, the Owl couldnt grab it. After some trying, it hopped to a nearby tree, still focusing on the hole. Amazingly, it flew back and snagged whatever was in the hole! It was impossible to see what exactly it had but there was no noise so there is the chance it was cached by the owl earlier. Whatever the case, a frustrating but ultimately rewarding night of Owling in the Park.
Its camo was working well but it was very alert as there were large numbers of hawks about. As we settled in to watch it was harassed by multiple birds like tit-mice, cardinals and the occasional Dee.
It was also buzzed by some photographers which made it very uneasy. Unfortunately one of them got too close and the bird flew from its gorgeous perch just as the sun arrived. I then took some personal time to let the situation de-escalate and then returned to the find the bird's new perch. After a while it became relaxed enough to preen and stretch.
Flyout was at 645.
We followed it around the Loch as it flew from perch to perch, scanning the hill.
It flew across the West Drive and drove a red-tailed hawk out of a large oak. We then stood slient as it dropped down to a tree stump beside the drive.
Don't let this pic fool you, it was very dark (just look at the pupils) and was digging into a hole at the top.
There was something in there, but we couldnt tell what. Whatever it was, the Owl couldnt grab it. After some trying, it hopped to a nearby tree, still focusing on the hole. Amazingly, it flew back and snagged whatever was in the hole! It was impossible to see what exactly it had but there was no noise so there is the chance it was cached by the owl earlier. Whatever the case, a frustrating but ultimately rewarding night of Owling in the Park.
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Nesting Kestrels Continued
One of the oldest and most successful pairs nest across from Zabar's on the Upper West Side. I've been watching them since 2006 so they are now entering at least their seventh season. I found the happy couple perched across the street on a cell phone antenna.
Here's a shot of them copulating.
This is the male peeking out of the tiny entrance to the scrape.
This nest perfectly shows how difficult it is to find their scrapes and that's exactly how they like it since all kinds of other raptors will prey on them and their young. In fact, every single neighborhood in NYC has at least one pair nesting somewhere. The trick is finding them! Scouting around for other nests, I came upon a familiar male on the Great Hill.
This is the same male that killed the blue jay chick some weeks back and although he's got a junco here, the parents haven't forgotten. He stripped the carcass and flew off with it back to his nest, somewhere near 101st St.
Finally back in Harlem, the kestrels that normally nest on 120th have not returned, but the male that makes his home on 116th paid my building a visit.
From this pic its not hard to see why they are among my favorite birds!
Here's a shot of them copulating.
This is the male peeking out of the tiny entrance to the scrape.
This nest perfectly shows how difficult it is to find their scrapes and that's exactly how they like it since all kinds of other raptors will prey on them and their young. In fact, every single neighborhood in NYC has at least one pair nesting somewhere. The trick is finding them! Scouting around for other nests, I came upon a familiar male on the Great Hill.
This is the same male that killed the blue jay chick some weeks back and although he's got a junco here, the parents haven't forgotten. He stripped the carcass and flew off with it back to his nest, somewhere near 101st St.
Finally back in Harlem, the kestrels that normally nest on 120th have not returned, but the male that makes his home on 116th paid my building a visit.
From this pic its not hard to see why they are among my favorite birds!
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Kestrel Nesting Season 2013
Now that March is here the Kestrels of NYC are beginning to mate and nest. Finding their nesting cavities is a time consuming but very rewarding process. Basically it involves listening for their calls and then tracking them as they move through their turf. On 116th St. I found this male and female post-copulation, stalking the starlings that feed on the scraps in the street.
The male then flew up into this cavity, but he may have just been scoping it out.
The female sunned but then dove down at some starlings at my feet.
She missed, but I was surprised how comfortable she was on the street. After a few seconds, she recomposed and flew up to a nearby tree.
Lets hope they have a successful year!
If you have any sightings, please email me at yojimbot at gmail dot com. Cheers!
The male then flew up into this cavity, but he may have just been scoping it out.
The female sunned but then dove down at some starlings at my feet.
She missed, but I was surprised how comfortable she was on the street. After a few seconds, she recomposed and flew up to a nearby tree.
Lets hope they have a successful year!
If you have any sightings, please email me at yojimbot at gmail dot com. Cheers!
Saturday, March 02, 2013
Birding the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Got my 100-400L in for a cleaning this week so I decided to do some different types of birding. Walking through the galleries of the Met I was struck by how birds are universally embraced by diverse cultures. Their beauty, their design, their ability to fly to the heavens were all revered and copied by our forefathers. Here's my iphone shots from the Birds of the Met.
Assyria:
India:
Iran:
Paris:
Rome:
Co-incidentally, they were holding a "Birds in the Art of Japan" exhibit:
And on the way out...Eagle from India:
Ohm Garuda, namo nama!
India:
Iran:
Paris:
Rome:
Co-incidentally, they were holding a "Birds in the Art of Japan" exhibit:
And on the way out...Eagle from India:
Ohm Garuda, namo nama!
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