What a racket! Twice recently I’ve come across a storm of American Robins sounding their strident chip alarms. A perching Red-tailed Hawk was the source of the commotion both times. In this second case, a buzzing Northern Mockingbird was in on it, too, repeatedly razzing, sometimes even clipping, the big raptor. When the hawk flew out, the Mockingbird stayed with it around the Sylvan Water.our
Soon after, but hnheralded by any pissed-off songbirds, this Red-tailed flew up off the ground to land here before taking off to a higher perch.
Reports of three young hawks in the Green-Wood nest. Reports of a nestling in Tompkins Square Park dying: rat poison remains a serious threat up the food-chain.
Out at the Salt Marsh, at least two heads of baby Osprey were seen here recently. One can be seen between the two adults. Looking much a mini Loch Ness monster.
We are approximately a week or so away from baby American Kestrels outside our window. Or so we judge from last year; the Wild Bird Fund has already started receiving fledglings picked up off sidewalks around the city. Monday afternoon, both male and female kestrels were in the air chasing a Red-tailed Hawk out of the neighborhood. A little later, the perching female kestrel was swooped on by a neighboring Northern Mockingbird. And so it goes…
Yesterday morning, there were two males and one female American Kestrel on the solar building. All three of them were adults.
Backyard and Beyond 
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