Year: 2011

Today was momentous. Both Bobby and his new friend, who I like to refer to as Rosie, visited the nest today. They were even at the nest at the same time for a couple of minutes. It is now safe to assume that they are mates and that we will likely see babies in the spring.

Bobby visited the nest first. I at first thought it was Rosie who went in first but after doing more thorough photo comparisons, it’s more clear that it was Bobby who went into the nest first.

Moments after I entered Washington Square Park, I saw Rosie flying up Fifth Avenue (in my general direction) then land on one of her favorite terrace perches:

Continue to the full post… “Both hawks in the nest! December 28, 2011”

I did not see Bobby until heperched at the Red Roost Inn for the night. But Bobby’snew potential mate was back in Washington Square Park.

She familiarized herself with the whole park and surrounding buildings. She flew all over and hunted nearly constantly. She ate one mouse and one rat during my two and a half hour visit. The park is full of mice, rats, squirrels, and pigeons so she has a limitless feast ahead of her should she stay and become Bobby’s mate.

She is incredibly peppy, fast, and agile. She had us running ragged chasing her from area to area. She is bold, too. She flies very low to the ground and just over people’s heads. She flew directly over my head twice. At one point she was flying with a rat in her talons and was so close, I instinctively ducked to get out of her way (she was that near!).

Seeing her up close helped so I could learn her coloring and marking patterns. She’s slimmer than I thought. I’m no expert but I’d gauge her at being about 3-4 years old based on her tail (it’s a full red which puts her easily over 2 years old), eye color (it’s not the very deep brown of an older hawk), and spritely energy (my personal take).

Continue to the full post… “Bobby’s new girlfriend taking up residency – December 26, 2011”