Other hawk updates

I've been slowly assembling two reports with lots of photos from last Saturday and this past Monday. Most of it is finished and should be up but late tonight of early tomorrow. In the meantime, here are some updates that I received this week from other hawk-watchers around the city. There are now at least two pairs that have hatched chicks.

From: Christopher Lyons
Date: April 22, 2007 8:03:42 PM EDT
Subject: Van Cortlandt Park nest

We checked the Van Cortlandt Park nest today, and can confirm there was an adult Red-Tail sitting in it. I strongly believe this is Jodie and Travis, but I can't say that for sure just yet.

This is the approximate location [... ] viewable from the south end of the Croton Aqueduct Trail, at least until the leaves are on the trees.

Frankly, I wish they'd chosen a slightly more accessible location, while at the same time understanding that they could not possibly care less about any inconvenience they might put me through. ;)

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From: D. Bruce Yolton
Date: April 23, 2007 8:30:41 AM EDT
Subject: Uptown Manhattan Nests

Just wanted to let you both know that both the Inwood Hill and Highbridge Park nests have chicks. They're too little to accurately count them yet, but there are at least two eyasses in each nest.


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From: Rich Fleisher
Date: April 25, 2007 12:21:47 PM EDT
Subject: My first pictures of Rose and Hawkeye this year

Rob,

With the weather being so poor I have not been able to get the scope out to check on Rose and Hawkeye. As Chris has noted, they have been sitting on the nest for about a month. Given last years schedule, the eggs should hatch in about a week.

While observing them yesterday, I noticed two unusual developments. First, shortly after starting to watch the nest, I noticed that Rose left the nest rather abruptly. She flew atop the cross on Martyr's. I noticed Hawkeye flying around and then noticed a third Red-tail much higher up. Hawkeye took off after this intruder. As it soared higher and higher and eventually disappeared, Rose returned to the nest and resumed sitting while Hawkeye went on his merry way. The picture of Hawkeye in flight that I have attached is him going after the third Red-tail.

Second, later in the day, Hawkeye returned to the nest, and the two of them spent a considerable amount of time standing over the nest, often with their heads in the nest. As you can see from the pictures they were somewhat skittish and quite sensitive to unusual sounds. After about fifteen minutes of standing over the nest, Hawkeye again flew off and Rose resumed sitting on the nest.

Hawkeye and Rose at Fordham University

(Photo credit - Rich Fleisher)

Angry Hawkeye chasing interloper

(Photo credit - Rich Fleisher)

Check out D. Bruce Yolton photos of the new additions to the city hawk population at Inwood Hill Park and Highbridge Park.