Five crows were making a lot of noise in the sky near Grand Army Plaza. We assumed that they were harassing a hawk, but didn't see any. After a few minutes we spotted one over the turret of 35 Prospect Park West. She didn't seem too concerned with the crows, but several times flipped upside-down and displayed her deadly talons. The crows finally gave up and flew west, down the slope. Her mate appeared about a block away, kiting above the triangular apartment building at the corner of Park Place.
Whenever I watch the hawks on the top of the 18 story building I wonder how they see the park. Thanks to the Internet and real estate agents, I now know. This is a photograph of the north end of the Long Meadow, facing south east taken from the penthouse apartment.Fifteen years ago the crows greatly outnumbered the local Red-tailed Hawks. It was common to see a flock of 20 to 30 crows intimidating and chasing off a hawk. For reasons that are unclear to me, it is now unusual to see a flock of more than a few crows around Prospect Park.
by Rob Jett for "The City Birder"
"For reasons that are unclear to me, it is now unusual to see a flock of more than a few crows around Prospect Park."
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West Nile has been suggested to me by several folks, but I can't say for certain because I don't think that there have been any specific studies around NYC.
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