Urban Red-tail Update-The Unisphere Three

WHAT SPECIES IS THIS BIRD?

And a good news update of the Unisphere Fledglings, two of which spent some time with wildlife rehabilitators Bobby and Cathy Horvath fresh off the nest, from watcher Peter Richter--


Hello All,

I was at the Unisphere Monday and finally managed to find all 3 fledglings after about an hour searching. One at a time they all made their way back to the Unisphere, and at one point they were all perched in the same spot no more than a few feet from each other. They all look well, and one of the banded birds was eating a rodent atop a light post. Several dead pigeons were found around the art museum, and I'm guessing the unbanded fledgling is the culprit. I didn't see the parents, and I'm guessing the fledglings are starting to feed themselves, as they are getting quieter and harder to find every time I go.

Regards,
Peter

Many thanks, D.B.

NATURE WINS AGAIN

My apologies for the long lapse in posts. It was certainly longer than I intended but there have been a few glitches along the way. Above is the gate for Ostgardr at the Pennsic War. And above the gate, see those dark clouds?

At Pennsic the difficulties of one of nature's deluges when it comes to effecting one's electrical wiring is nil. We don't have any wires. We do however have dirt floors. So the lighting is just what it would always be...candles.

But beneath the table our feet are in two inches of sloppy mud. Mud being perfectly medieval after all.

But on the other hand, returning home to where there is electrical wiring was something else altogether. There seems to have been a lightening strike very very close to the house .

When I walked in, the oven though turned off was preheating itself anyway. Half the house didn't respond to the wall switches as that portion had had all it's breakers blown. And last but not least the surge protectors for the computer had failed therefore it was pretty wacky as well.

It's taken me a little longer than I expected to clear it up and get back into the blog harness. Again my apologies.

I'm fine, it's just the equipment that nature got the best of. So back to normal tomorrow, I hope....knock wood.

Donegal Browne

Contributor Karen Anne Kolling of RI wrote a concerned email about the interactions between the Riverside Hawks and the traffic on the Henry Hudson Parkway, asking if signage might be installed to help protect the hawks. And guess what? Here is the response she received--

To All;

Due to the danger posed to the hawks in the area, we have issued orders to install “20 MPH Speed Limit” signs for the ramp exiting the southbound Henry Hudson Parkway at West 79th Street . We are trying to get these installed as soon as possible. It is important to note that the enforcement of this speed limit is the jurisdiction of the NYC Police Department.


Thank you for your concern regarding this serious condition.


Josh Orzeck
Community Coordinator
Office of the Manhattan Borough Commissioner
212-487-3085

Hurrah!!!! Will wonders never cease? It certainly can't hurt and it might just help. Next they need signs for Red-tails that copy the style of the deer crossing signs.


Like this turkey, I'm about to make a getaway. I'll be at the Pennsic War, the 38th of that name, for the next two weeks. The one place during the year where my two daughters and I are all in the same place at the same time.

Postings will depend on space availability at the Mystic Mail tent.

For those who would like to know more about the Pennsic War, (the loser has to take Pittsburgh), go to www.pennsicwar.org/

Donegal Browne