I’ve been having terrible Washington Square Park Red-tailed Hawk-search luck lately. I spent hours looking for any of the Hawks on August 2nd and today with no luck. However a fellow Hawk-watcher saw one of the Hawks yesterday and a fledgling early this morning!
I was getting ready to come out to see the fledgling too today but got trapped at home by a long and heavy downpour. I ventured out when the sky cleared but the fledgling was long gone by the time I arrived.
I didn’t want to not post anything so I thought I’d show you some of the water towers and building tops I scanned during my outing today. I regard my outings as Hawk hide-and-seek adventures but I’m the only one playing (which can be sad if I find no Hawks but a delight when I do see one)!
Today I searched all around the park then headed north on 5th Avenue. There are several water towers to look at along the way. But what I think is more interesting are the beautiful roof top gardens and all the nooks a Hawk may be sitting in at any moment.
Detail:
A tall building at 14th Street and 5th Avenue has a good vantage point for a Hawk to survey the area from:
Looking south on 5th Avenue. The One Fifth Avenue building to the right sits outside the park:
I checked the ConEd tower (located east of Union Square Park) but saw no Hawks there. This tower is one of the Hawks’ favorites because it’s a very tall perch to both survey the area and also to dive from when chasing prey. I’ve seen them dive off the tower in hunt mode several times in the past.
I looked through part of Union Square Park but didn’t see Hawks there.
Heading south on University Place now and heading back toward Washington Square Park:
The most exciting birds I saw when I was back in Washington Square Park were some sparrows enjoying their new rain puddle.
This sparrow first drank some water then had a bath:
Love the sparrow pictures! So often we overlook the smallest, least colorful amongst us, yet they are also worthy of attention. Happy for them about the rain – also good for urban plants that are generally starved for water & cleansing.
As for hawks – unfortunate that you couldn’t also locate them, we count on you! However, perhaps just going fly-AWOL for short time on family excursion? Let’s hope they stay away from Tompkins Sq. area so they don’t get poisoned.
We all admire your diligence, GPS-like search-ability, and of course – outstanding photographic eye to bring the elegant joy of the RTHs to the rest of us. Keep up the search!
I only saw the sparrow for a few seconds but it was a real charmer. Yes, my timing has been off apparently. We’re in for a few days of sizzling, steamy weather so my outings will be a bit restricted. If only the fledglings played in the trees in October! 🙂
How precious…no Hawks, but a puddle dance displayed by the Sparrows is wonderful
Were these babies ? Their feathers appear soft and bit “newbie” looking in the pictures.
How precious, indeed, your pics are a candid peek into the life of our sparrows …cavorting in the rain puddles left by Mother Nature.
Many thanks.
I think the sparrows were adults but I don’t think that lessened their degree of cuteness. 🙂 Some pigeons were enjoying puddles on the other side of the park but I must admit they weren’t as charming.
Hi
Love this….such shallow water and having a wonderful bath. The sequence from dry to splashing is darling.
I was looking at their hang-outs hoping to spy one you didn’t notice. 😉
lol, when I looked at those pictures later I thought, ‘Oh no, I hope I don’t suddenly see a Hawk sitting right there after the fact!’
I understand Ha
Hi again Roger….I had a birdbath in my well groomed back yard, Ahem! No way did I ever see a bird splashing with this joy in Mother Nature’s surroundings. I wish your photos in this album were a permanent imprint that would appear to me at beck and call. I even wanted to send your pictures to family and friends as therapy just as humans use many species as therapy. Is there a chance I can use your pictures even just one to send to my family members? Thank you
You’re more than welcome to pass along my pictures to your family! I’d be delighted. Thanks for your kind words! City birds really do live it up when they get a new puddle.
Thanks for the walk-about pix, anyway! When I think of actually being able to spot a hawk amidst all the jumble, I’m amazed you can EVER find them!
Thanks! It is a challenge but a pretty fun one.