Bobby and Sadie’s tender togetherness – October 12th, 2018

I stole a couple of hours to look for the Washington Square Hawks today and had great luck seeing them sit and fly together during my visit.

Sadie was the first Hawk I spotted through the trees. She was sitting on the southeast corner of One Fifth Avenue, the tallest apartment building just north of the park:

Bobby appeared from behind me 10 minutes later. He flew below Sadie then rose up, circled near her, then landed right next to her:

His fascinating use of his tail feathers to slow down then make a turn:

Approaching Sadie who hunched down in preparation of his landing:

Both Hawks settled down and relaxed. Sadie preening:

Bobby leaned forward and preened at the side of Sadie’s head for a few seconds:

I have seen Bobby gently preen the Hawk babies in the nest but this was the first time I recall seeing him preen Sadie.

Sadie chit-chatted at him for a little while:

Cocking her head nearly upside down while looking at Bobby:

Bobby moved behind her and looked out directly over the park:

What I think was a Cooper’s Hawk dove near the Hawks but descended toward the park trees:

Sadie preening while Bobby looks on:

They flew off their perch one after the other 18 minutes after Bobby landed next to Sadie.

They circled together then followed each other far east of the park:

I looked for them where I’ve seen Bobby hang out in the past (Cooper Square) but there was no sign of them. I left the area and saw who I’m quite convinced was Christo, the male Tompkins Square Park Hawk, hunting a flock of pigeons at 2nd Avenue and 3rd Street in the East Village several minutes later.