Backyard and Beyond

Male and female American Kestrels calling, hovering, and diving towards a tree in the distance. Worth a detour.
Sure enough, they had reason to be upset. This Cooper’s Hawk is the first I’ve seen in months.
While a regular sighting during the off-breeding months, not many Cooper’s nest here in the city. (For the last two seasons, a pair has bred in Prospect Park.)

Fall migration, winter, spring migration: look out, raptor season is here again. The remains of a Blue Jay probably testify to that.