2018 Manhattan Nest Update 20
The last of the Tompkins Square Park eyasses fledged a few days ago. This was the last Manhattan hawk to fledge, so this will be the last update for 2018.
Fledgling at Tompkins Square Park
On Saturday and Sunday, I observed the Tompkins Square Park nestling, and the fledgling, who returned to the nest for an evening. I missed all of the actions on my trips. The excitement had been on Friday.
Today, I also went to the nest which was empty. One youngster was found below the nest, and both parents kept a close eye on both the nest tree and a nearby tree. It was unclear if the bird that hadn't fledged was just branching below the nest or both had fledged.
We'll figure it all out in a few days...
2018 Manhattan Nest Update 19
One of the two eyasses on the Tompkins Square Park nest fledged today around 2 p.m.
Day Before First Fledge
I stopped by the Tompkins Square Park nest to see how the eyasses were doing. It's a good thing I did, because one fledged on Friday afternoon around 2 pm. It should be a fun summer in the park with these two!
Fun Around The Met
The Fifth Avenue fledglings are at that wonderful, playful stage, where they're learning to hunt. This means "playing" on the ground and practicing diving runs. The activity has centered on the south side of the Met, west of the Group of Bears statue.
Confident Fledglings on Fifth Avenue
There comes a point at each nest site, each year, when you realize the fledglings will be fine. They still have lots of youngster in them, but you see that they can fly without problems, are learning to hunt, and are preparing to be on their own some day. For me, today was that day on Fifth Avenue.
Hunting and Exploring
At least one of the fledglings has started to practice hunting in Washington Square Park. It made a few attempts at a squirrel while I was there this afternoon. Another was on the tower of Judson Church. This is a great stage to watch them. Unlike after they fledge were they seen to want to venture to the highest buildings, they're much closer to the ground and easier to watch.
Getting Ready At Tompkins Square Park
The Tompkins Square Park nest, which is the latest nest this year, has two eyasses that are look like they will fledge in a week or so.
Three Fledglings
All three fledglings were hanging out around the Catholic Center roof on the south side of the park this afternoon. There were occasional trips to the Judson Church, Furman Hall, and the Kimmel Student Center. It was good to see all three doing so well.
Growing Up On Fifth
At least one of the Fifth Avenue fledglings is learning to hunt. I witnessed a number of attempts today around 79th Street. Pale Male was nearby and one of the fledgling made a trip halfway to Madison Avenue on 78th Street too. I forgot how fast they grew up!
Go East Young Hawks
As typically happens after the Washington Square Hawks fledge, they start to explore the higher buildings to the east of the park on Mercer and Greene Streets. Today I saw two of them on a number of buildings including 16 Washington Place, Warren Weaver Hall, Shimkin Hall and 2 Washington Square Village.
Fifth Avenue
The two fledglings were easy to find this evening. One was calling from a roof at 78th and Fifth Avenue and one was near the Three Bears playground. Both parents were seen too. It's nice that everything is going to plan at this nest.
Fifth Avenue Exploration
The Fifth Avenue fledglings are beginning to explore the ground. Today one of the fledglings went to the ground twice, once on Cedar Hill and once on the south side of the Met. Soon they'll be playing with sticks and learning how to hunt. It should be a fun summer.
Update: I've learned that after I left the fledgling caught a mouse. May it catch many more!
Another Day On Fifth Avenue
This afternoon was great because I got to watch everyone in the Fifth Avenue family, Pale Male, Octavia and the two fledglings one at 73rd and Fifth, and one further north. The second fledgling was on Cedar Hill and then went down to the Three Bears playground.
Fifth Avenue Fledgling
Today, I spent a relaxed afternoon with one of the two fledglings at Fifth Avenue. I had brief glimpses of both parents, but for the most park I watched a single fledgling as it made its way slowly south from the Kerbs Boathouse to a Cedar Tree just north of 72nd Street.
Washington Square Park
With all three off the nest, I visited the park this afternoon to find two fledglings on Pless Hall and one on Weinstein Hall at 11 University Place. I also saw both parents. It was good to know everyone was settling down.
After I left, the fledgling at Weinstein Hall few into the NE corner of the park and then to Pless Hall to join its siblings. Their mother joined them on Pless and then one of the hawks flew to the library roof. I understand a hawk is spending the night on the nest, but can't be identified. I suspect the mystery of who it is will be figured out on Saturday morning.
2018 Manhattan Nest Update 18
Good News and Bad News:
- No fledgling has been sighted at Inwood Hill Park yet. So, it is unclear if the nest was sucessfull this year.
- At 96th and Lexington, one fledgling got trapped in the school construction site and was taken to rehab. It may have Frounce. Its siblings may also be infected.
- All of the Washington Square Park hawks have fledged safely.
- The outcome of the 310 West 72nd Street fledge is unclear. I've heard unconfirmed reports that one died after fledging but also a confirmed report that one went to the Wild Bird Fund before being transferred to The Raptor Trust.
- I heard second hand that there may have been a nest on a fire escape along 122nd Street this year. I would appreciate any information on this nest.
Just Missed It At Washington Square Park
I had a dinner engagement and missed the last fledge by a few hours tonight. I understand it was a good flight with a difficult landing on the Silver Building.
I did watch the nestling and the two fledglings this afternoon. For the most part it was quiet until around 4:40 when both fledglings decided to play on both Goddard and Pless Halls.
Tompkins Square Park Eyasses
I took a brief break from Washington Square Park and stopped by Tompkins Square Park mid-afternoon. The two eyasses have really grown since I was last in the park. Things are looking just fine.
Unfledge At Washington Square Park
One of the fledglings at Washington Square Park decided to go back to the nest today this morning. It was still on the nest this evening. Unusual but not unheard of behavior. The fledgling and the parents were tough to find today. In the evening, I found Bobby on the Judson Church tower and the fledgling on the Silver building. The fledgling soon went to roof of the library, just above the nest. So for a brief moment all three youngsters were together.
The mother flew into the nest some point in the evening, so the whole family was accounted for. We'll see what happens over the next few days!
