Fledged!

Surprise of surprises, 69th street nest empty.  Everyone has "flown the coop".   Where, oh where are the babies.  There's only one way to find out, stand and listen. The babies will be calling for food.  From behind my back there's a "peep peep!"  On the fenced patch is Peeper.  No other babies calling. No sight yet of parent.  Obviously this adorable baby can fly. He/she got out of the nest and up onto fence, but this is obviously its comfort zone.  "Peep Peep", non-stop.  I stood  and waited dripping sweat for an hour.

Finally Papa showed up with food, enough food for two "dabs".

                                                               No more food for now.
                                                                  To be continued.
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Sweet nest

69th street nest.  This is the one nest where I've been able to follow the growth. Other nests are too high in trees.

Love watching food collecting,- bugs, worms and assorted bits.

Back to the nest, the last spot to check before leaving park.

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Three kids

I made a decision to not be drawn into the hawk drama this breeding season.  It gets so intensely  emotional.  There is no Riverside Park nest this time due to the death of the female from rat poisoning.  Pale Male's mate died from the same cause. However, Pale Male found a new mate and they had three babies.  The first, now named Rik/ Rikki, fledged first.  The other two siblings took their time fledging and then seemed to prefer hanging out on terraces. The third fledgling caused some worry by seeming not ready to face the challenges of the world outside of the nest.  I stayed away.  Yesterday I decided to see what was going on, had the three kids managed to get into the park.  It's all about being in the right place at the right time. The three kids were in one tree eating, watching, napping. What beautiful kids.

Pale Male delivered a rat. There was some jostling. I'm going to assume that Rik/ Rikki grabbed the rat.

Sibling with nicely spotted middle napped on lower branch.

Next-to-eat  sibling watched from above.

Rik/Rikki done eating. Moved up one branch.

Now next baby has the rat.

Sleeper has awakened.

Here's hoping that this trio remains safe and healthy.  It was a joy watching them do what young hawks do.  
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