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

Hawk fledglings circle and travel together – July 19th, 2018

My visit to Washington Square Park today was cut short when the two fledglings I had been watching disappeared when flying far north. The first hour was spent watching one fledgling frighten park pigeons by landing in their favorite tree and hanging out there for a while.

I first saw it sitting on an NYU railing outside the park. Note the squirrel silhouette:

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling sitting on NYU building railing outside Washington Square Park

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling sitting on NYU building railing outside Washington Square Park

The fledgling flew to a tree right inside the park before heading to the pigeon tree:

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling jumping off NYU building railing

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling flying through Washington Square Park trees

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling sitting on Washington Square Park tree branch with pigeons flying around

These two pigeons landed near the fledgling and looked instantly regretful of their decision:

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling sitting on Washington Square Park tree branch with pigeons sitting nearby

The fledgling did not actively hunt any of the pigeons this time. It instead rested for an hour then hopscotched among a few trees before joining a sibling for some circling above the park square:

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling sitting on Washington Square Park tree branch

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling flying through Washington Square Park trees

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling sitting deep in Washington Square Park tree

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling flying above Washington Square Park trees

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling flying above Washington Square Park

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling flying above Washington Square Park

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling flying above Washington Square Park

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledglings circling together above Washington Square Park

They caught some nice thermals and rose higher and higher:

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledglings circling together above Washington Square Park

They traveled further north along 5th Avenue. They disappeared for a minute.

I caught sight of a Hawk again but was shocked to see it circling perhaps as far as the 20s. The northern border of Washington Square Park could equate to 6th Street.

Empire State Building tower on the left:

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling circling near Empire State Building tower

Was that Hawk one of our fledglings? One of the adult Hawks? Was it going to visit Union Square Park nearby? So many questions!

NYC Red-tailed Hawk fledgling circling near Empire State Building

My questions would go unanswered because the Hawk flew east and out of sight. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was one of the fledglings I saw. We’ve had past fledglings visit Union Square Park before returning ‘home’ to Washington Square Park.

Meanwhile, a couple of news choppers were hovering above 5th Avenue & 8th and 21st Streets (the 21st Street location being where an underground steam pipe exploded this morning):

NYC Channel 4 News helicopter hovering above the street

NYC Channel 7 News helicopter hovering above the street

Distant view of the Empire State Building:

Distant view of Empire State Building


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6 thoughts on “Hawk fledglings circle and travel together – July 19th, 2018

  1. The Fledglings are growing so large!
    In a few of the pics, I would have thought the pictured Hawk was Bobby or Sadie…in “person” do they appear larger?
    They seem afraid of nothing.

  2. I enjoy all of your photos all the time. Today’s 6th photo was especially beautiful. It looked like a watercolor. Also your framing of the fledgling with the squirrel silhouette was wonderful. Keep up the good work. When will you publish a book of your work? I’m sure it would be a best seller!

    1. Thanks, Diane! That picture (#6) might be my favorite from the day actually. 🙂 If I ever publish a book you guys will be the first to know!

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