Hi, all. Long time no blog. It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks because I haven’t seen the Washington Square Hawks since August 5th. I looked for them on August 9th, 12th, and today but had no sightings of them.
A fellow Hawk-watcher reported seeing one of the Hawks perched on the library roof on August 8th but hasn’t seen either of the Hawks since.
It’s still too early to say what’s going on with them; whether the new male Juno is leading Sadie to new breeding grounds or not. We won’t really know for sure until autumn (when the Hawks normally begin to spend more time in the park).
At least I had some fancy birds to keep me company during part of my outing today.
One Black-and-White Warbler was busy eating bugs on a couple of western trees:
I was by the eastern lawns when I noticed a black and white pigeon walking in my direction:
It was Dover! It was especially nice to see the handsome chap considering all the bad Hawk luck I’ve been having:
He walked past me, flew to the path behind me, then meandered around the feet of seated young people engrossed in their phones.
A bathing sparrow as seen between fence railings:
Oh, I just devoured your photography! You have such a perceptive eye, for finding birds and composing the frame. I, too, have been crestfallen to suddenly not be falling the fledglings, and Sadie (and Bobby, R.I.P.). And even Juno. It’s been rather jarring. I’m so glad you had a good day.
What a lovely compliment, thank you Elizabeth! Yes, it’s been a heartbreaking season and not seeing any Hawks is not making it any better. I hope to see at least one of them very soon!
I hope so, Roger_Paw. Falling was of course supposed to be following, in my post. May I ask, what do you think happened to the Hawks? Is it pesticides? POISON? Do you think they were (inadvertently) killed? I’m serious. If so, what can we do about it? This is making me so upset.
Are you talking about the adult Hawks Sadie and Juno? I think they’re still alive but just not hanging out in Washington Square so much right now. I’m hoping Sadie will keep it as her breeding/hunting grounds for future seasons.
If anyone can find them it’s you. They are just doing their thing. Looking forward to the coming seasons.
Yep, she is doing a lot of perching outside the park with her new beau. 🙂
Thanks for keeping us up to date, even if you’ve had no sightings. I’m always wondering, and I know the rest of your followers are too! And thanks for the lovely bird pix.
Hi, Dover! 😀
I second Mindy’s post! You are our eyes on the ground. Best wishes Roger!!
I so agree!! We love you!
Thanks, Mindy! Dover is a friendly constant amidst all the chaos.
Yes!! A shout out for Dover! I love pigeons! They are incredibly misunderstood and villified avians! They are placid, monogamous birds who hurt no one, and are incredibly intelligent, as most birds are. I’d love it if you’d start a pigeon blog, Roger_Paw!!
I wonder, is this the emptiest slack period you’ve experienced in your years of hawking at WSP? As ever, I’m grateful for your keen eye and photography skills, even when your main characters fail to show.
Yes, it may be the longest stretch. In previous years we still had fledglings racing through the park trees in early August and the parents stuck around. Because there is no parenting going on this season, it’s not totally surprising that the park is more empty of Hawks. Thanks, Peggy!
Thank you for all of your amazing photos and stories. What caught my eye today was your photo of the Black and White Warbler. He is beautiful! I live one state below you and have never seen one. I have been following you since 2012 and had a picture in my mind of who you were. Up until about a month or so ago when you posted a photo of yourself when they were releasing one of the kids back in the park, I thought you were a male. I pictured you as maybe in your late 50’s or early 60’s who would visit the Park on your lunch break or after work. You wore a suit and tie and had your camera around your neck. I even knew that Roger was a beloved dog of yours. I am trying to reprogram my brain and remove Roger the man for and replace with the female version. Lol
Thank you for being so passionate about the birds in this park and always finding help when needed. Birds are simply amazing with each one having a unique personality. Thank you for all you do.
Ha! Well, that sounds like a fine image of me! However I hate to break it to you but I’ve never shown a photo of myself releasing one of the fledglings. The woman releasing the youngster(s) was our dear Cathy Horvath of WINORR (Wildlife in Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation). And Roger was my beloved cat. 🙂
Birds are awesome. Following the Hawks has made me more aware of and curious about them. I was surprised to see that Warbler. I didn’t know the Black-and-White ones lived in our area all summer until I looked it up when I got home yesterday. There’s always something to learn with our bird friends!
I so agree!! We love you! I definitely do! But, what do you think happened to all the bird’s? We’re not talking one bird. This is very nefarious.
Are you talking about the adult Hawks Sadie and Juno? I think they’re still alive but just not hanging out in Washington Square so much right now. I’m hoping Sadie will keep it as her breeding/hunting grounds for future seasons.
I was so afraid, that for some reason, you’re emails were being sent to spam, they weren’t. Our hawks are just not cooperating with you! Thanks so much for continuing to look for them. I hope Sadie doesn’t get her head turned by a sweet talking hawk, and leaves the area!!
I know what you mean! Juno is a handsome bird and may have designs on establishing his own territory with his new lady so we have to steel ourselves for that possibility.
We miss you.
You are a sweetheart, thank you! I’ve missed being back to blog about these darn Hawks who’d kept giving me the slip!