I went up to Inwood Hill looking for the two fledglings, but could only find one of the parents. Reports are that both fledglings have been exploring the park, and spent most of the week getting mobbed by smaller birds. I hope to have better luck next weekend.
On the way back, I passed by Broadway Bridge. I saw both parents, and one of the fledglings. This is a fun site, since you can see the birds from the Number 1 train platform. Only in New York City.
The evening started slow with the eyasses asleep, and no one in sight. Then an American Kestrel was heard, who dove repeatedly at one of the parents. Afterwards, there was one active eyas in view before I needed to take off for the evening.
I went by Riverside Church to see if the resident Peregrine Falcons had any fledglings yet. Since, I only saw the parents, I guess I was a week or two too early.
The parents were fun to watch as they weaved their way between the scaffolding.
Across the street from Zabar’s on the Upper West Side is an American Kestrel scrape.
I was thrilled to find it because I was able to first identify the bird from two blocks away by looking at its silhouette and wing beat. The Kestrel, a small falcon, then led me to its scrape (since Kestrel’s don’t build a “nest” but use a hollow, they’re called scrapes).
Most urban hawks and falcons that nest in the city do so near a park. American Kestrel’s, however are our true urban birds not needing a park. In New York City, they are everywhere often nesting, like this pair, just under a roof line behind a rusted out decorative eave molding. They are all up and down Broadway on the west side.
I met James O’Brien up at Broadway Bridge to look at Peregrines and then go off to Inwood Hill Park. We’re both doing our late winter/early spring check up on our favorite local raptor nests.
We found both Peregrines. One on the stadium lights of a Columbia University playing field, and the other on the north tower of the bridge.
These two Cooper’s Hawks were both very vocal in the Loch on Friday. It was the first time I had heard a Cooper’s Hawk. I think the adult was telling the juvenile to “move along”.
