UPDATE (5/6): Incredibly, one of the eggs has hatched! Experts had declared earlier this week that the eggs were unviable because the gestation period had ended. Stay tuned.
Looking outside NYU President John Sexton’s office on the top floor of Bobst, you would expect to see an amazing view of Washington Square Park. But you might be surprised to find a large hawk’s nest.
Earlier this year, a red-tailed hawk built a nest on a ledge right by Sexton’s window. And, a few weeks ago, another hawk flew onto the same ledge. The New York Times’ City Room describes the scene:
“We thought they were going to fight,” said Colin Jerolmack. “Instead, they started mating.”
Mr. Jerolmack, an assistant professor of environmental studies at N.Y.U., was hooked. He and his wife watched as the pair started flying back and forth to the university’s Bobst Library, at the southeast corner of the park.
“We saw them carrying sticks.” They were building a nest.
Mr. Jerolmack named them Bobby, after the library, and Violet, after N.Y.U.’s school color.
In order to get a better view, the Times set up a small camera early yesterday to keep an eye on the birds. It turns out that they are now guarding eggs that are estimated to hatch in about two weeks. The stream — available here — will run 24/7; there is an effort underway to add lighting for nighttime viewing.
City Room’s Emily Rueb writes:
If you’re lucky, you’ll catch Violet carefully turning the three white eggs beneath her or Bobby swooping onto the wide sandstone ledge to bring rats, pigeons or mice. We may be adjusting the camera’s angle in the coming days or weeks, so stay tuned for developments, including the glorious moment when the first little beak pokes through its shell.
Hawks apparently love to hang around universities; Columbia has its own well-documented bird, named Hawkmadinejad. NYU once again bests Columbia, though — we’ve got two! Don’t forget to follow the NYU hawks on Twitter.
HT goes to NYU Local reader Wesley.
lol Sorry Bob, not Bon
Looks like today both parents are hunting and that squirrel looks like a mouth full for the little one. Nice job Bob and Violet, get rid of some rodents in NYC
Violet is standing on one foot more and more, she must be in pain. Not sure how she can hunt in pain.
wow,pip (Solo?) sure has a lot to grow for his feet, they lookds so funny when he stretched
Where is Pip. I saw him and Violet this morning in the nest but now it looks empty.
Rosaleen Cody
Am I the only one wondering where Violet and Pip are. I think it is Bobby in the nest now. Rosaleen
Pip looks like he’s about the size of a chicken! I’m finding it very unnerving to see an empty nest. He can’t possibly be ready to fly with his stumpy wings and baby feathers. I’m thinking he and Mom are hanging out on the ledge out of camera range where he can watch birds flying and get used to the cityscape. Part of teaching him to fly, I suppose. Will Pip come back to the nest after he flies — or is the day coming when the nest will remain vacant? Am I already suffering empty nest syndrome?
Pip, is finally in camera range again. First time seeing him in a couple days. He looks fine but growing like a weed! Glad he’s OK!
Where are the parents?
That nest is so full! How would they have managed if the other two eggs had hatched? Doe anyone know the average # of babies?
Anyone know what happened to the last two eggs that were there for so long and now gone. Bobby hasn’t been there in a long time. Violet is there but off camera a lot. I think they are both on the ledge! But at night baby is in the nest.
Has the little one fledged ?
What has ever happened to Violet’s foot. Did they finally remove the band. Poor thing that looked like it hurt. Is Pip still near the nest?