Harlem Hawks--Come out for the 4th Annual Hawk Walk!

As I adjust to my new location in Central Harlem, my understanding of the ranges of the raptors that live in this area has changed dramatically. From my roof, I can observe the Cathedral Hawks, the Riverside Peregrines and an additional pair of redtailed hawks that live near the campus of CCNY. This weekend I observed them all for extended periods, noting their ranges and directions of travel. This is the time of year for courtship to being and their aerial displays can be seen throughout the 5 boroughs. After one such display over Morningside on Sunday, I caught up with Cathedral female, on top of Wadleigh School on 113th.

She was hunting pidgeons!>


If anyone is interested in signing up for the 4th Annual Harlem Hawk Walk, which will be either Saturday Nov. 29th or Sunday Nov. 30th depending on the weather, please email me at yojimbot at gmail dot com.

Morningside

Frustrated at the over-management and over-crowding of Central Park, I have been frequenting some of the other green spaces uptown. One of my favs is Morningside Park. It is so low key yet chock full of great birds. Here's a sample of some of the flora and fauna found within!
Many crows pursuing Norman,


I caught up with him atop Gabriel!


During those long periods of quiet, I caught up with some of the other residents...




Great foliage too!

Fall Birds Part 2

As the fall migrants begin to ebb, their colder winter brethren are beginning to settle in. In addition to birds such as sparrows, titmice and chickadees, numerous species of raptors will begin to take up their winter residences here in the City's Parks. Here's a sample of these visitors...
A large juvy RTH in the North Woods,

moving rapidly throughout the trees.

The last of the warblers fattening up include Palms,

Yellow rumped,

Tennessee,


and Kinglets.

Some of the cold weather birds include this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,

titmice,

and jays caching acorns!

Feasting on this crop of birds are numerous raptors including Cooper's Hawks. This one was over CPN,

while this one was over 150th, hunting starlings.

Also on 150th, was the resident male kestrel...






Last but not least, are the Monarch Butterflies.

Fall Birds Part 1

The Fall migration is in full swing now. The new cast of characters is on scene ready to play out their wild drama, amidst our urban settings. Resident raptors remain, new raptors are moving through, but both are enjoying the bounty of songbirds prevalent now. From my old roof on 110th, I could make out small groups of warblers, jays, titmice and flycatchers flitting about, trying to fatten up for their long journey South.

Uptown Raptors

After some time of not being able to find them, I relocated my two "friends" on 135th St. The hawk had just caught a squirrel in the Park and landed on the school to consume it.




As you can see, all sorts of hazards threaten them on a daily basis.

Meanwhile this male kestrel took up a hunting position high up on this radio antenna, just to the east.



Next up...Migrating Raptors!