Today was full of fun Washington Square Park fledgling Hawk antics.
Both fledglings dove toward prey on the park lawns and flew from tree to tree until Bobby delivered a meal for them on an NYU building window sill.
The pictures below highlight the more exciting activity mixed with some ‘glamour shots’ of the youngsters.
Diving toward a squirrel on a lawn:
It missed the squirrel and landed in one of the trees:
It’s easier to distinguish between the two fledglings now because one of them has two large tail feathers growing in whereas the other fledgling has a full set of tail feathers.
Sitting in a tree with the nest window in the background (the window to the left with the white screen):
Flying over the park square, church cross tower in the background:
Picking at leaf stems:
Talons out, swooping down to a squirrel:
Another miss! Off to a new tree:
This man never noticed the Hawk on the bench:
Another man walked directly toward the fledgling but didn’t notice it either because his eyes were fixed on his phone as he walked. The fledgling flew away from him and passed close by another man:
Panting from the heat and activity:
It rested for a while before flying out of the park and east along Washington Place. I found it sitting on one of the NYU buildings:
Running along the ledge:
Spot the Hawk:
Flying back in the direction of the park:
Back in the park:
The fledgling watched what I later discovered was Bobby delivering a pigeon meal to one of the buildings outside the eastern side of the park (NYU’s Silver Center).
A preen before flying to the meal:
The fledgling with the growing-in tail feathers watched its sibling eat. It cried on and off then turned and dove toward pigeons on one of the lawns.
It missed the pigeons (I’m not sure it was really hunting or was merely practicing).Β It soon flew east out of the park and along Washington Place like its sibling did earlier:
It might have been chasing after Bobby because I saw Bobby land on a building near the intersection of Washington Place and Broadway:
Bobby flew to Broadway and turned the corner, flying south along Broadway:
The fledgling flew to its sibling and watched it eat. It cried repeatedly while it watched:
It waited four minutes before moving closer:
Still begging:
Another 10 minutes passed before it inched closer and closer..
Tentative little footsteps:
Snatched!
The other fledgling didn’t put up any kind of real fight. It was probably full and wasn’t too bothered its sibling wanted its own turn:
Flying back to the trees after its long meal:
I didn’t notice until later that someone in the building was watching the fledgling eat as well (holding up a phone with a most perfectly apt phone cover):
It was getting awfully warm and humid so I left the park with one fledgling eating, the other peacefully digesting and resting in a tree:
What has happened to the “third” fledgling?
Do we know if he/she is O/K?
I have not heard what’s happened to the fledgling. I suspect by the markings of the remaining two young Hawks that our ‘missing’ bird is the first one to have fledged.
10:14AM UPDATE! A fellow Hawk-watcher friend of mine just called me to say he saw the third fledgling hanging out with the other two a few minutes ago. Apparently the other fledgling has been mostly hanging out in the western side of the park whereas the ones I’ve been seeing have been keeping me busy in the east side.
Great news! I love the photos of the fledgling sneaking in to steal the food
Hi, I just got back from WSP where I saw all three fledglings! Post to come soon! That thieving Hawk had had just about enough waiting! It’s nice that its sibling was obviously not too sore about it.
So glad! We worry about our babies!
Iβm loving your posts. The photos are awesome. After following the hawk cam from egg to fledge itβs great to know now these beauties are faring. I especially love the squirrel sequence. Thank you for all.
Thank you! Yes, I’m glad I have the ability to share what happens to all the Hawks post-fledge!
Well, Roger, Today’s photos to me are about as phenomenal as I could expect. The intrigue of the siblings and their following the gestures of their parents to learn is wonderful. The sibling interaction! I just love it all and Thank you. You are talented and beyond. A great 4th of July treat.
Thank you! I was very happy to get to see them interact in that way and to then have the chance to show you guys what the fledglings were up to! I know how I’d feel if I fell in love with the Hawks and could never otherwise know what happened to the youngsters post-fledge.
Yes, these siblings are buds and not hostile to each other on a ‘survivalist’ level at all. They seek each other’s company all the time. Speaking of 4th of July treats, I saw all three fledglings today and will post what I saw when I get home later tonight!
Thank you so much for these excellent up dates and postings. After following the cam for many weeks, I feel “attached” to these beautiful birds and I appreciate the amazing pictures and updates. Please keep them coming!!!
Thank you so much.
Thanks, Lisa! It’s my pleasure. π
Absolutely stunning photos in every post. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this!
Thank you so much! It’s my pleasure. π