wayward fledgling – TwoHawksNYC

The Wayward Fledgling gets itself into another pickle

The Wayward Fledgling seemed to have a quiet couple of days since its relocation to the park. It was seen early in the morning yesterday, flying to a playground fence and resting high in a tree.

Hawk enthusiasts have been spending a lot of time trying to find it in the park to see what it’s up to. But It is incredibly difficult to find it as it camouflages well in the trees, even if you know exactly where to look.

The best indicator that the hawk might be around is either when you see a pack of Blue Jays or Robins mobbing it and screeching or when the young hawk is calling for its parents (which it tends to do when it wants food delivered). Even easier than Seamless!

But, not one to disappoint, the Wayward Fledgling is continuing to explore its new environment. And like Curious George in the Big City, it keeps getting into trouble.

At around 8:30am this morning, an observant couple saw the hawk try to hop between two buildings and fall. According to them, “the space is only around two feet wide and is sectioned off with chicken wire so it is a mystery how it managed to get down there.”

Here is the video they shot:

The wonderfully kind couple then called for help and who showed up? None other than Ranger Rob*.

Does that make him the Man in the Yellow Hat?

Rob was able to free the hawk and release it in the park. According to Rob, the hawk is in good health and is a lot feistier than before, which means it is gaining strength.

After spending some time in a few trees at Tompkins…

…the hawk bounced around on some rooftops. It ended up on the roof of, ironically, the Dora Park Apartments, where Dad was able to drop off some food. This was great news, again, because it means the hawk’s parents know where it is and are taking good care of it.

Thanks to the awesome couple who jumped into action and helped save the Wayward Fledgling from potential injury and starvation. And thanks to Ranger Rob for another fantastic rescue.

By the way, if this happens again, maybe we should give the hawk a tiny Tony Hawk helmet?

* I understand that Ranger Teddy was there helping with this rescue as well. A huge thank you to him too!!

Operation Rescue: Wayward Fledgling

Well, we thought seeing the hawks fledge would be the highlight of this hawk-watching experience, but the birds keep upping the ante. The Wayward Fledgling (who tried to return to the nest a day after leaving, and spent the next evening above Bibi on 4th St.) returned to 3rd St. and Ave. A again today, and it drew a bigger crowd than U2 playing a surprise show in the subway.

According to Jennifer Dirnfeld (who took the first two photos below), when she arrived on the scene, the hawk had already started a commotion across the street from the church:

Unfortunately, people didn’t give it enough space and it was scared into the flower section of a deli, where a man (irresponsibly, may we add) shooed it away with a rolled-up newspaper. From there it flew into the window at TwoBoots, where Ceili Clemenson was eating a slice. Ceili, who helped rescue an injured juvenile hawk years ago in Dumbo, came out of the restaurant just as the 9th precinct police arrived. The hawk got stuck among the delivery bikes at TwoBoots and an officer helped to free it.

The hawk then made its way east on 3rd St. and stopped at Iron & Silk gym (as if it hadn’t already had enough of a workout!):

I arrived on the scene and Ceili, Jennifer, and Vaydra Alexander (another wonderful protector of wildlife) all helped the police keep people away to give the hawk space (no easy task if you know New Yorkers). I called Urban Ranger Rob Mastrianni and informed the police that he was on the way.

The bird was very nervous and eventually took a running start and flew up across Ave. A to the awning of Landmark Bicycles.

The police cordoned off the area and helped keep curious onlookers at bay while we waited for Ranger Rob (who has a history of saving hawks in our neighborhood) to arrive.

As the crowd grew…

…the young hawk’s parents looked on from the cross on the church.

The hawk had moved onto a familiar spot (an AC!) by the time Ranger Rob arrived to assess the situation.

Ranger Rob used a net to carefully catch the hawk…

…and I had the honor of assisting with the rescue.

Once the hawk was safely in his grasp, Ranger Rob checked it over to ensure it was healthy. In Rob’s kind and experienced hands, the bird remained calm the entire time.

Next, Ranger Rob deemed that a box was a better way to move the hawk than the crate he brought. Thanks to Vaydra, we had a perfect one on hand already. Here is the hawk in the box (you’ll have to take my word for this one):

Then, following Ranger Rob and the bird-in-box, a small procession of dedicated hawk lovers marched to Tompkins Square Park to witness its release. How could you not love this guy? And the hawk too.

Ranger Rob placed the fledgling into a tree. Believe it or not, this was probably its first time in a tree!

Immediately, the blue jays felt threatened and started to screech and fly around the hawk. But it didn’t seem to mind.

It relaxed in the tree for hours. The parents were seen soaring above, which is a great sign because they know where it is and can feed it as needed.

What a journey! A big thanks to the boys in blue of the 9th precinct, Jennifer, Vaydra, and Ceili, and especially the greatest ranger in town: Rob Mastrianni.

New York City is a wild place and, in a way, we are all wild creatures living in an urban jungle. Today, so many people worked together to support one young hawk. This was such a beautiful thing.

The Wayward Fledgling can’t get enough of 3rd St.

The Wayward Fledgling (more background here and here) caused quite a stir on the corner of 3rd St. and Ave A this afternoon. Photos below by Jennifer Dirnfeld, who was on the scene when the bird started flying and running from business to business, getting caught up in windows, bikes, flowers, and eventually moving to the awning above Landmark Bicycles in Ageloff (the building which housed the original nest). Police cordoned off the area and a major crowd formed until the bird was safely captured by Ranger Rob Mastrianni and released in the park. Full story with dramatic photos to come later today.

Again, if you see this or any of the fledglings, please don’t disturb them. If they appear to be in distress, please contact: WINORR.

The Wayward Fledgling is at it again

This evening just after the rain/hail/thunderstorm, the Wayward Fledgling was spotted on 4th St. flying onto a window screen, trying to hang on, then toppling down to an AC. Last we saw, it was doing just fine.

If you see this or any of the fledglings, please don’t disturb them. If they appear to be in distress, please contact: WINORR .

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: