Pale Male and Lola's Nest, Valkyrie of Thompkins Square, and a First in the U.S. Bird

Photograph Donegal Browne
Pale Male surveys his domain from the vantage point of the 927 Fifth Avenue nest.


The only wind information I had at the point that I emailed John Blakeman was for March 8th, the day with the strongest wind for the month of March 2008, 64 mph wind gusts buffeted the area. The temperature ranged that day from a low of 33F and a high of 48F. I asked Mr. Blakeman whether those temperatures with gusts of wind that strong could have cooled Pale Male and Lola's eggs.


Here is his response--

Donna,

Yes, 60-plus mph gusts, especially at a nest against a wall (as is 927) could cool the eggs. But had incubation begun in the first or second week of March?

John

Which is an excellent question for which I don't have the answer here in Wisconsin. Though Lola was sitting the nest in 2002, 2003, and 2004 by the 8th of March. (Anyone have the 2008 date at their finger tips?) There certainly were other days in March with comparable temperatures, but I haven't dug out wind data for the rest of the month as yet so there may be other days that could be suspect. Guess I better get busy.

Photograph by Francois Portmann www.fotoportmann.com/
And as promised the rest of the dynamite photographic sequence taken by Francois Portmann of Valkyrie the immature Red-tailed Hawk of Tompkins Square Park. The other section can be found on the post, one down, titled "Valkyrie of Tompkins Square, Tulsa Nest Question..."

Looks like Valkyrie has spotted something.

Photograph by Francois Portmann
Is there a bird, under her left foot? If so what is she doing with her right talons?

Photograph by Francois Portmann
And later...

Photograph by Francois Portmann
Valkyrie sees a possible dinner in the scampering form of a Gray Squirrel.

Photograph by Francois Portmann
SHE...

Photograph by Francois Portmann
NEVER...

Photograph by Francois Portmann

DROPS...

Photograph by Francois Portmann

FOCUS! No matter the obstacles. (Continued one post down.)

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R. of Illinois has been out gleaning other birding goodies and here is her find for the day...

Rare 'dinky' bird migrates to US for first time


CHOKE CANYON, Texas – Birders with binoculars and cameras are flocking to a
remote state park in search of a small yellow-chested bird that apparently
crossed the U.S. Border for the first time from its high-mountain habitat to
the south.

At 5 inches with beige and yellow markings, the pine flycatcher doesn't look like much, but its unprecedented migration from Mexico and Guatemala is exciting birders all over the country.

For more follow the link...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090110/ap_on_re_us/rare_bird_3

SUNDAY IS THE MEMORIAL REMEMBERING ELEANOR TAUBER.

I am so sorry I will not be there as I have unavoidable responsibilities here, but I too shall be remembering Eleanor...

Donegal Browne