Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Raptor Wednesday

Falco peregrinusI have been sighting Peregrine(s) on St. Michael’s tower again regularly. Here at twilight.img_0782Another late afternoon instance. The church, two long avenue blocks away, is at the limit of my optics; I really need a good spotting scope for this scene.img_0781There are two large roof-top fancy pigeon coops in the area, one that frequently flies to the south of the church tower.img_0779Possibly what the falcon is eating.

As survey’s go, this is quite unscientific: during the summer, the curtains are closed all afternoon to keep the long hours of sunlight out.

mthew

4 responses to “Raptor Wednesday”

  1. elwnyc

    Better some than nothing. At least we know that peregrines can find food in the city. (Wish they’d spend more time around Borough Hall)

    Reply
    1. mthew

      I’ve had good luck seeing Peregrines around Borough Hall, especially in summer when the youngsters from the scrape at the BK House of Detention are learning their trade.

      Reply
  2. jonina

    It has been a strange 24 hours in my Park Slope backyard. Yesterday morning I saw a young American Woodcock under the ferns in our garden. It looked dream like – very beautiful, very plump, with a long bill and big eyes. It hopped out, across the slate and flew away with a strange sound a few minutes later. Never have I seen a bird like that in the city. Later that day I heard a thunk and then something rocketed down into the yard . Looking out, I found a black and white woodpecker, lying on its side and breathing rapidly. It did not move for 20 minutes. Eventually it righted itself and stood stock still for at least 10 minutes, then moved around a bit and flew off. Finally, this morning, a lovely bird flew into the bathroom window, leaving tufts of small feathers in the screen. I found it ion the slate, lying on its back and barely breathing. It looked close to dead. But again, within about 20 minutes it had gotten onto its feet and stood stock still. Then it began to look left and right, left and right. It hopped into the garden and flew away. I think it was some kind of thrush. Later 3 bluejays and a cardinal appeared in the yard.

    Reply
    1. mthew

      Sounds like lots of adventures! Your window-strikers were lucky. Here’s some more info window collisions: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/attracting/challenges/window_collisions

      The Woodcocks are definitely back in town. Saw one in Green-Wood yesterday. They do tend to end up just about anywhere in the city this time of year, Park Avenue medians, backyards, the parks and cemeteries. Here’s some particularly good pics from last year https://matthewwills.com/2015/10/25/woodcock-sunday/ That sound they make on take-off is distinctive: often they’ll be heard but not seen.

      Your woodpecker was probably a Downy, although it could have been a Hairy. And the thrushes are all over now, particularly Hermit.

      Reply

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