Almost Fledging (Part 3)

Although not directly observable, the Riverside Peregrines are behaving as if they have young. Using the 55 Water St. peregrines as a guide, Id say they are about 1-2 weeks away from fledging. Here they are drying out on the scaffolding that still remains around the Church.



The male before stooping out on Morningside.

Talk about synchronicity!

Almost Fledging (Part 2)

The Boat-basin Hawks are doing a great job keeping their little ones fed. The rapid growth has led to some rudimentary branching by the oldest chick. Here they are flapping, hopping, sleeping and generally being awesome little dudes.





The whole family.

Under the watchful eye of the parent. She was carefully eyeing a dog.

Say it loud..."I Love Hawks!!!"

Almost Fledging (Part 1)

The three main groups of nesting raptors in NYC are all about 1-2 weeks away from leaving their nests. Some early birds have already gotten started (Im looking at you Inwood).
These kestrels across from Zabar's have at least two young that are on the cusp. Here's the soggy male flying out, with a nestling pigeon after meeting up with the female.




Flying into the scrape with prey as nestling calls!


The female near the scrape.

After the transfer, they both flew out and then copulated on a nearby antenna.

More evidence that urban kestrels will most likely double clutch when they can!

Chelsea Kestrel Almost Fledges

Got a tip on some kestrels nesting on 22nd St. I found two young very close to fledging..here's some video of one of them testing out his wings. Anyone interested in sharing in nest watching duty, shoot me an email.

Edgecomb Kestrel with Lizard

I took this footage a few days ago, but didnt notice what was on it till I reviewed it today. If you pause on certain frames, you can see a lizard in the Kestrel's talons! I've never noticed lizards in St. Nicholas Park before, but that doesnt mean they're not there. I know from an old kestrel newsletter that RDC sent me that this has been observed in Queens. Add another layer to the Edgecomb kestrel's resourcefulness.