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

The D train takes a sharp turn and comes out into the open air down in a below-grade cut at 4th Avenue before disappearing back underground about half-a block, or half a train length, east, heading towards 5th Avenue. High fencing surrounds this cut on all sides. A wilderness of trees and vines adds an additional screen.
Above the mid-block tunnel entrance, the growth is at its thickest. I passed here a couple weeks ago and heard Blue Jays jeering. Seemed suspicious, but I saw nothing.
The very next time I went by I heard Blue Jays screeching again. This time I looked hard.
Ah-hah!
Cooper’s Hawk. After moving about in there repeatedly, and making one circular flight in and out, the bird then flew out and perched across the street atop an elementary school.
Three days after that… well, you’ll have to come back tomorrow for that…

5 responses to “Raptor Wednesday”

  1. Seems like Coops are expanding their Brooklyn population and so have the Blue Jays this year!

  2. Wow. I’m amazed at how you not only spot them but are able to capture photos. I live in the x-urbs and rarely see raptors except when they are making lazy circles above.

    1. I remain amazed at the local raptor fauna.

  3. […] the right side of the sun. Like yesterday’s specimen, this is an adult Cooper’s. (See here and here for a recent immature bird) Probably male, since it seemed small. The sexual dimorphism […]

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