Red-tailed Hawk landing on nest, Bobst Library, NYU, New York City

Bobby found at Union Square Park. July 28, 2011

It was a good day of hawk watching today. Bobby was gorgeous in hunting mode in Washington Square Park. I was lucky to spot him as he flew from one tree to another since I was alone at first and had I been looking in the other direction for just two seconds, I could have missed him entirely. Soon enough, a couple more hawk-watchers arrived and we made a fine, albeit small, band.

Bobby successfully caught a mouse from a bed of wildflowers. Within a couple of minutes of hopping from yet another tree to tree with his kill, he flew almost directly over my head with his catch in his talons. I did not have the chance to record this flight but experiencing it personally was amazing. He flew low and silent and was wholly awe-inspiring. He landed on a small building across the street from where I was standing along the north side of Washington Square Park.

It was at this point when we lost sight of him. A few of us scattered about so we could traverse more ground and improve our chances of finding him or another hawk. No such luck so a friend and I walked north up 5th Avenue and toward Union Square Park to try our luck there.

My friend and I reached the outskirts of Union Square Park and well, well, well.. who do we have here?

My friend spotted this hawk sitting on top of the Union Square W hotel from the opposite side of the park. He earned his Hawk Eyes for the evening. The lighting was a bit poor but I tend to believe it was Bobby who deftly made the short jaunt to this other park. I suppose it doesn’t really matter since it was just such a treat to spend some time watching it.

Within several minutes the hotel signage lights turned on:

Whoever you are, you can’t catch a break from a harassing bird no matter how high you sit!

Before taking flight, the hawk obviously spotted something in the distance and rushed toward it.

Off you go:

At this point, it was too dark to film or photograph so I made my way home (being sure to scan the sky and buildings just in case of another sighting).


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