The second fledgling of the Washington Square Park nest was returned to the park yesterday afternoon after its adventure in a NYU classroom and rehab.  I found it this evening on University Place. 

It started out on the window ledges of 19 University Place, wrapping around the building from University Place to Eight Street.  It then flew to eastern wing of The Brevoort.  It tried to land on a ninth floor windows ledge, but misjuded the width of the ledge.  It tried to readjust but floated down to a second floor terrace. 

After about five minutes it jumped up to the railing of the terrace.  Eventually, it flew back down University Place and landed on scaffolding in front of the Weinstein Residence Hall.  After about ten minutes, it went into a Gingko tree, where I suspect it roosted for the night.

I got a little behind on editing video, so this is from Friday, June 6th.  This is a fledgling playing on an NYU dorm roof being watched by Rosie.  (This is most likely not the fledgling that decided to go to school and enter an NYU classroom.)

In the middle of the night, a NYU Public Safety officer found a Washington Square Park fledgling in an NYU classroom.  The proper folks were called, and Rob Mastrianni, an Urban Park Ranger with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation responded in the middle of the night.  He captured the bird and at dawn released it into the park.  It did not fly off, so it was transfered to WINORR on Long Island.

While there has been much frustration with NYU's decision not to install a camera this year, the NYU Public Safety staff has taken its role to protect the fledgings very seriously over the years.  They deserve our thanks yet again.

Rob Mastrianni, who responsed in the middle of the night, also deserves our thanks. He loves raptors and will do almost anything in any neighborhood of the city to help out, on or off duty.  Thanks Rob.

And of course the Horvath's deserve our thanks most of all.  WINORR does wonders in New York City.  Thanks Cathy and Bobby.

Over the next few days, while Cathy and Bobby get the fledgling a check-up, and give the fledgling some time to grow up and be a better flier so it can be returned to the park safely, we'll see the parents searching for their youngster.  I know from past experience this can be difficult to watch. 

When Ziggy fledged too early, off 888 7th Avenue a few years ago, there were outcries to have him returned quickly.  But the Horvath's decision to wait a week to return the fledgling, ended up in the best possible outcome, a great family reunion and a fledgling that safely spent the summer in Central Park.

So, please try to avoid any monday morning quarterbacking, and let the Horvath's do their jobs.

(The Horvath's also have the male from the Cathedral of St. John in their care as well as a very sick eyass from the Bronx.  I'm so thankful for what they do.)

Update 6/10: The fledgling was returned to the park and is doing fine.

Washington Square Park had a fledge late yesterday afternoon.  The fledgling was calling its parents this morning and fending off squirrels.  All was just as it should be on the first day of school.

In the afternoon, the fledgling was on an NYU building, the parents were nearby and there was still an eyass on the nest.  The rain storm gave way to impressive skies, including a double rainbow.

The eyasses at Washington Square Park are almost ready to fledge.  They’re jump flapping and flying well on the ledge but seem to tucker out a bit too quickly to be leaving the nest just yet.

They’ve been hiding in the back corners, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see them when you visit.  It’s easy to think at least one has fledged sometimes!