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Not Yet At 350 Central Park West
My hunch that the 350 Central Park West nest had hatched looks to have been premature. My visit today had two visits from the male but no sign of a hatch.
Fifth Avenue Eyasses
Pale Male and Octavia's nest was very active this afternoon. Two eyasses (nestlings) were visible at one point. A feeding lasted a very, very long time, so there is a chance we have an unseen younger eyass that remains too small to be seen.
I've uploaded two videos, a short one that lets you see the two eyasses if you look closely, and a standard lengthy one.
Fifth Avenue Nest
Reports from the hawk bench are there at least two eyasses this year. They saw the oldest briefly in the afternoon, while another eyass was being fed. I hope to be able to capture "baby pictures" this weekend.
350 Central Park West
It was unclear if the nest had hatched yet. The female seemed higher on the nest, but I didn't witness any feedings. But she did leave the nest unattended for a few minutes. So, I couldn't tell the status of the nest. I suspect it will become clear in early May.
96th and Lexington Hatched
I'm happy to report that the 96th Street nest has hatched. The fire escape bars kept me from capturing the eyasses, but I could see them moving now and then. It should be easier to see them in a few weeks.
A new nests can easily fail, so it is a great joy that this nest has worked out to at this point. Fledging will be difficult, so the real test will be in six or seven weeks from now.
2018 Manhattan Nest Update 6
Updates:
- Pale Male and Octavia's nest had hatched
- Tompkins Square Park's new female, Amelia is brooding.
Octavia, Eating or Feeding
When the eggs hatch, which takes place one egg at a time, it takes about a week more to see the eyasses on the Fifth Avenue nest. The only clue that they've hatched are feedings and changes in behavior of both Pale Male and Octavia.
Today, an hour and a half apart, it appeared that Octavia was feeding an eyass. I'll let you judge the video for yourself, but it looks like we may have good news.
2018 Manhattan Nest Update 5
It looks like the J. Hood Wright Park and CCNY/Shepard Hall nests are both inactive this year. I visited J. Hood Wright Park earlier in the week and saw a Red-Tailed Hawk perched on Haven Avenue on the west side of the park, so the nest may be in a new location this year. At CCNY, I didn't see any activity. The CCNY pair may have relocated to the radio tower they used a few years ago. Let's hope we hear some good news about either pair, later in the season.
96th and Lexington Avenue Update
The hawks at 96th and Lexington seem to be doing fine. The female was on the nest in the late afternoon and evening. Her mate was flying about the neighborhood, was hassled by two different American Kestrels and hunted unsuccessfully in a nearby park.
Barn Owl Continues
The Barn Owl in Central Park roosted in a new tree and was much more visible than in days past. It gave some great looks and took its time preening before fly out.
Barn Owl Pellet
The Barn Owl was a bit easier to photograph today. It's now on its 8th day in the park, which is longer than expected. It regurgitated a pellet at dusk.
350 Central Park West
The nest on 350 Central Park West looked like it was doing well on a brief visit on Saturday. I can't wait until early May to watch our Manhattan nests hatch.
Barn Owl
Last seen in Central Park over a decade ago, a Barn Owl has been seen for a few days. I caught up with it this afternoon and got to watch it fly out from its roost after dark. It made one stop after fly out, and then flew across The Lake.
Crown Building
Today, while at the Pond at the Southeast corner of Central Park, I saw a Red-tailed Hawk with a branch, fly up to the Crown Building at 57th and Fifth. It went to a balcony railing, jumped down to a terrace, and then flew around the building. It wasn't clear where the twig was left. The hawk then went to the Sherry-Netherland Hotel.
We've seen hawks here in the past, with nest attempts nearby on The Plaza hotel in years past. But I've never seen fledglings in the park from this location. Any reports from nearby office buildings would be appreciated.
Third Ones A Charm
Tompkins Square Park has had an upheaval this last week. A third new female has fought with Dora, resulting in Dora going back into rehab and the new female taking over! Plus there seems to be no sign of Nora.
This new female, which I'll shorthand as F3, is making herself at home. Christo and F3 copulated at least ten times today. I guess they both know they're late in the season!
Wilson's Snipe
A Wilson's Snipe was on the west shore of The Pool, a body of water at the north end of Central Park. It's a wonderful bird, and was out in the open, which was a real treat.
2018 Manhattan Nest Update 4
Updates
- Red-tailed Hawks are nesting on the flood lights of Field 10 out on Randals Island again this year.
- The 310 West 72nd Street nest is confirmed to be active again.
- Tompkins Square park has become a version of the dating game, will it be Contestant #1, Contestant #2 or Contestant #3?
- I made a note that there is a good chance we'll find a nest on Governors Island this year. We'll find out when the island opens to the public May 1.
350 Central Park West
I hadn't had a chance to get up to 350 Central Park West for a few weeks and the nest looks great. The nest looks solid and in good shape. I caught up with the male near the Tennis Courts, and after watching the female on the nest, saw an exchange of the two hawks. The male took over egg warming duties and the female eat a pigeon left for her in a nearby tree. Then after she flew around for about five minutes, returned to the nest, and the male left.
310 West 72nd Street
310 West 72nd Street has to be the hardest nest to view in the city. It's in a gutter at the top of the building and one can't really see into the nest. But I was able to view an exchange of the two hawks, so I it would be safe to say the nest has eggs.
96th and Lexington Avenue
On the fourth floor level of the fire escape on a building on the northwest corner of 96th and Lexington Avenue, there is a new hawk nest. The female was brooding when I arrived and the male was briefly on a water tank before flying out of view. I stayed until after sunset, but didn't see a nest exchange between the two hawks.
2018 Manhattan Nest Update 3
Two changes today.
- The Highbridge Park nest appears not to be in use this year. I suspect there a nest in the park, but is as of yet not found.
- In Tompkins Square Park, Dora appears to have injured her wing again and has gone back to rehab. A new female is claiming the nest. There is a post on the EV Grieve blog. Laura Goggin Photography's has also posted about the events on Wednesday.