Bobby in the trees, a Cooper’s Hawk fight – November 29th, 2018

Fellow Hawk-watchers have seen both Washington Square Park Hawks over the last few days. Today I got to see Bobby and two Cooper’s Hawks.

Pigeons were assembled atop the park arch. I have only noticed them sitting on the arch when there is a Cooper’s Hawk in the area:

It was not long until a Cooper’s Hawk showed up! It flew above the pigeons, scattering them in a panic:

A second Cooper’s Hawk appeared and flew right to the other and started darting around in the sky with it:

They dove at each other but did not make contact. This was the closest I saw them fly near each other:

They both then flew north and away from the park.

Pigeons were still flying as though a predator were around:

One of the park regulars pointed out Bobby flying toward the pigeons. That explained why they were so nervous.

Bobby flew to and landed in a western tree:

He flew to a new tree after 6 minutes.

He would scan the lawn below him once in a while as though he were hunting but he did not attempt to catch anything.

He is looking great. I reckon he is around 11 years old if 2011 was his first breeding year (Hawks mature and typically begin breeding at age 3).

A pair of Blue Jays taunted him. Below you see one of them diving at him:

He was not bothered by them at all.

He dove off this second tree after another 8 minutes:

He flew toward the pigeons that were flying near the park arch:

I did not get a focused shot but did like how he looked flying vertically by the arch:

Bobby circled a few times then tucked in tight and dove up to the top of One Fifth Avenue. Imagine living there and seeing such close fly-bys by your window:

Bobby settled down on his building.

It was chilly, windy, and cloudy; making the lighting change dramatically.

One World Trade looking well:

Bobby sitting atop One Fifth, the sun popping through the clouds every once in a while:

I left the park 35 minutes later since it looked like Bobby wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.