I kept track of the Barn Swallow nest on the reservoir going back a few times over three weeks. Only one nest was visible, but it was clear there were more nests under the arches of the eastern gatehouse of the two north gatehouses.
All of the nests appeared to have fledged by the third week of July. Then for a few days, the fledglings hung out on the gatehouses. By late July they were spending the day primarily on the North Meadow.
The 93rd Street Red-tailed Hawk fledglings have moved north of the 96th Street Transverse, to the Recreation Center and the North Meadow in the last week. The Recreation Center is under construction and is fenced off, giving them a human and dog free playground after the construction crews have left.
On Wednesday evening, we had a bit of trouble finding the fledglings. We found one north of the Recreation Center. It ended up going all around the Recreation Center before exploring the western side of the North Meadow. This is the same area, Flaco, the Eurasian Eagle-Owl hunted in last summer, and like Flaco the hawk perched on a tractor.
One of the parents arrived with a Brown Rat, and a fledgling that looked to have already eaten joined them on a backstop. But the parent must of wanted to feed on of the other fledglings, and flew south.
On Thursday afternoon, all three of the fledglings were on the roof to the Recreation Center. They soon explored the trees and fences and as I was leaving one of the parents brought in a rodent.
I’m sad to report that at the 102nd/Riverside nest one of the fledglings was found on the ground, emaciated and covered in flies a few days ago. It was transported to the Wild Bird Fund, but passed away the next day.
The summer months in Central Park can be slow for birding. Spring migrants are long gone and fall migrants don’t arrive until mid-August. So, my attention shifts to our nesting birds and their fledglings.
The reservoir has been fairly quiet although there have been two highlights. A group of Laughing Gulls that have been cruising around the edge of the reservoir and nesting Barn Swallows.
The nesting Barn Swallows are concentrated around the smaller, northern gatehouse. This year, most of the nests are under arches on the south side of the gatehouse and are out of view. But one of them is under a balcony on the south side and can be seen from the NE corner of the larger northern gatehouse.
The view isn’t great but you can see the parents feeding and sitting on the nest. The chicks are too small to see just yet, but they grow quickly and I hope to see them in a few days.
As one would expect, the 93rd Street Fledgling have been expanding their range and are now exploring the area around the Central Park tennis courts. The parents and the fledgling can often be found back near the nest but the are favoring the tennis courts.
When I arrived one fledgling was on the north side of the courts being harassed by Blue Jays. The fledgling moved to a number of trees, but the harassment continued. Finally the fledgling went to a tree above the tennis center building. It joined its other two siblings.
Two of them decided to fly around the courts, chasing each other. Its always a joy to watch fledgling who were at first very timid about flying mastering flying.
The NYAC fledglings have become difficult to find as they have become accustomed to the park. I was only able to find one of them today. It was quietly perched in a pine tree, with its wings partially open to stay cool.
The eyasses fledged last week while I was away on vacation. On a quick visit to the area I found two of the fledglings perched calmly in trees near the nest waiting out the strong wind gust in the late afternoon.
