Hawk mating and nest visits – February 26th, 2019

The Washington Square Park Hawks thrilled and delighted me with their jam-packed action during my visit today.

Bobby was on the One Fifth Avenue perch when I arrived:

He circled around his building then flew into the nest 10 minutes later:

Tucked into a tight and fast dive:

The snowman from the 21st hanging tough through all the temperature changes:

Bobby flew out of the nest and perched on the back of the next door building:

He soon flew back to the nest:

Bobby landed in the nest while Sadie flew overhead and traveled to the other side of the park:

She sat on the corner of the building instead of the top of the water tower cover (the Hawks’ usual perch):

Bobby flew out of the nest, circled north of the park, then zoomed toward the trees I was standing near. It was thrilling to see him dive so fast into the maze of branches:

He snapped off a new twig for the nest.

Holding the twig with his beak and foot:

He circled over the park then brought the twig to the nest.

Out again:

He flew south out of the park. Sadie looked back at him and watched him flying. She then positioned herself in the ready-to-mate position.

Bobby flew to her and mated with her:

He dove away less than a minute later:

Bobby flew toward Sadie again but then veered off and flew westward:

He eventually returned to his One Fifth Avenue perch:

Sadie sunned and preened. I crossed the park to move closer to her. I rarely get to spend much time near her since she usually perches very high up.

She focused on something above. She might have been watching Bobby because he was gone from One Fifth by this point:

Sadie dove off her perch then circled over the park:

She and Bobby joined up and flew north together.

A raptor shape caught my eye but it was only an owl decoy: