Life on 5th Avenue continues to have an exciting pace.  Both birds are active with copulations, hunting, food sharing, and nest building taking place all day.

Tonight, shortly after I arrived in the park, Pale Male caught a pigeon and proceeded to eat it in a tree to the north of the building that stores the boats at the Model Boat Pond.

After he was done eating, he wanted to share his catch with his new mate, but had difficulties finding her.  Finally, she arrived but it was unclear if she took the food.

She ended up on a building railing, and flew into a sliding glass door.  She did so at an angle, so I don’t think she was going after her reflection but instead was confused by the light at twilight.  She appeared to be uninjured.

At the end of the evening, Pale Male was on the nest and then flew off to roost in a tree to the northwest.

The 5th Avenue Hawks copulated at least nine times on Sunday.  Spring sure is around the corner.

Saturday on Fifth Avenue was full of excitment.  The “bench” counted at least eight copulations, of which I saw four.  It’s a fun time to down at the Model Boat Pond.  The copulations occured all over the place, with the pair putting on quite a show.

Lola would usually have been brooding by this time of year.  The late start might end up helping this year.  If the nest cradle was causing problems with heat loss, any later start date would be welcome.

I arrived late to a calm evening on Fifth Avenue.  I was able to take a few pictures of the female, but saw nothing exciting.

Some field marks to tell these two hawks apart…