Bobby’s pigeon lunch, Sadie and youngster Hawk in the park – December 19th, 2018

There was some great Hawk action in Washington Square Park during my hour and a half visit today.

The pigeons were flying in a panic for a few minutes, acting like they were being chased and hunted.

I just happened to glance at the small cross atop the Judson Memorial Church and spotted Bobby sitting there with a pigeon in his clutches:

He jumped off his perch within seconds and descended to a tuck-away spot (presumably to eat):

I walked all around trying to get a look at where he went but couldn’t see him. I knew I only had around 20 minutes to find him because that’s how long it takes for the Hawks to devour a pigeon.

I gave up my search and waited in the park square in the hopes he’d return.

He reappeared, flying over the park square 24 minutes later!

He had a nice, full crop:

Bobby then surprised me by giving out a loud scream before darting into a pigeon flock before heading north:

I saw a second Hawk further up 5th Avenue which indicated to me that Bobby was chasing it away from his territory.

Bobby flying up 5th Ave:

View of the Empire State Building and the park Christmas tree beyond the arch:

Sadie flew from behind me three minutes later and headed north as well:

She did not join Bobby. She circled around the One Fifth Avenue apartment building for a couple of minutes before disappearing northeast.

There was heavy news helicopter activity southeast of the park. Channel 4 and Channel 7 choppers hovered, obviously collecting footage for some breaking news reports:

I found out later that they were taking footage of a building fire on Mott Street. The eventual Channel 4 and Channel 7 stories. Just another day in the Big Apple.

Prism in the sky:

I spotted one of the Hawks atop the Con Edison building 18 minutes after I last saw Sadie but I couldn’t tell which Hawk it was:

A young Red-tailed Hawk soared over the park several minutes later:

Descending far west of the park: