Week 10 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Week 10 in Green-Wood Cemetery saw a few subtle changes in the avian world. More profound transformations were happening with the botanics.

One sure sign that Spring is right around the corner are the dozens of Red-eared Sliders that have emerged from the mud and are now sunning at the edges of all the ponds. Many have algae still covering their shells and common leaches attached to their exposed body parts. The cemetery's snapping turtles are also starting to stir.

A mockingbird that overwintered around the edges of Crescent Water has suddenly upped his vocal repertoire. I think he's anticipating some new females in the area. His daily serenades now include Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Kingbird and Great Crested Flycatcher.

Our two bonded pairs of Red-tailed Hawks seem to be involved in regular territorial displays. In addition to the two pairs circling, diving and screeching at each other, there may be an interloper causing some problems. One of the adult males is easily recognizable by several missing secondary feathers on his right wing. He's earned the nickname "Wonky Wing". This indivual was also banded several years ago in Putnam County and has a blue band on his left leg numbered "A10". "A10" is the father of the single chick hatched back in 2022 in the pine tree nest behind the Horace Greeley monument. Over the weekend I noticed an immature male (brown banded tail still) dive-bombing and chasing "A10" in the vicinity of the old pine tree nest. I spotted this individual again near the historic chapel chasing a non-banded hawk. Should be interesting to see how this develops. 20 years ago I watched a similar interaction in Prospect Park where an immature red-tailed challenged the dominant resident male. He eventually prevailed, bonding with that female for nearly a decade (he developed his namesake red tail in his third year).

Red-tailed Hawk "A10"

Immature Red-tailed Hawk

Cedar Waxwing numbers have increased with a flock of two dozen spotted feeding on the pagoda tree fruit this weekend. Some of the waxwings that pass through during migration will remain and nest in the cemetery. Listen for their high-pitched, trilled "bzeee" and wispy whistles.

Cedar Waxwing

The most obvious wildflower brighten the landscape this past week has been daffodils. There are several different cultivars springing up from the tiny, delicate Jonquilla to the showy large cup varieties.

Daffodil

Finally, here's a selection of week 10 blooms, in no particular order.

Flowering Quince

American Elm

Paperbush plant

Japanese Andromeda

Dawn Redwood

Lesser Celandine