6/28, St. John the Divine

Early Friday evening found red-tail fledgling One at St. John's perched quietly on one of the spires of St. James chapel, overlooking the biblical garden.

Hawkwatcher Melody was already watching and reported that he'd been perched atop the Cathedral School but had given up the spot after being harassed by robins. He returned there after I departed when both parents arrived and dinner was delivered.

Aside from a couple possible "squeeps" when I watched him on Thursday, it was noted that he's been a very quiet child.

6/27, St. John the Divine

Early Thursday evening, I was barely on cathedral grounds for a minute before spotting the red-tail fledgling One. He was atop a chimney of the Cathedral House, noshing on pigeon. And a good thing, too, because shortly later he took and alit in a spot where over the many years I have perhaps just once found a fledgling to be lurking.

The pigeon must have been in two parts, as the fledgling finished with whatever was on the right side of the chimney top, then picked up another that was toward the left.

Perhaps he was moving off in order to get out of the hot sun, or perhaps small birds were harassing him. In any event, he flew over the roof of the old orphanage building. I found him perched on the cathedral wall behind the orphanage and overlooking the side door of the cathedral.

He finished off what remained of the pigeon.

Made a few cries. Possibly a parent was in sight, or maybe if was because there was definitely some harassment over here from sparrows and a grackle.

Then sidled along the ledge that was a bit more protected, both from other birds and from the sun.

Yes, that pigeon feather remained stuck to his beak for the rest of the time I was there.

And after another 15 minutes or so, I headed out to get my own dinner.

The hawkwatching grapevine has reported that fledgling Two is doing well at rehab and could be ready for release "soon".

6/24, St. John the Divine

Monday evening at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine found the un-injured red-tailed hawk fledgling exploring and practicing its moves. The finding, though, took a little while as it was mostly not visible from alongside Morningside Drive, and only spotting a departing adult provided a clue where it was at. It was lurking about the south side of the cathedral, perched on the buttress between the crossing and choir.

Within a minute it was in the air.

And alighting on a finial at the east end of St. James chapel. Stuck the landing very nicely.

It stayed there for a while, alternately watching activity on the ground and trying to maintain its balance on the pointed perch.

Then it decided to spend a little more time practicing its landings, flying back and forth between that finial and one nearby.

After which it dropped down to the roof of St. James chapel and was out of sight for about 10 minutes before re-appearing.

And from there it flew over to the roof of Cathedral House in the center of the close.