Hawk Watch at Belvedere Castle with Gabriel Willow, 11/14/2025

November 14 is a bit late for a Central Park hawk watch, so our expectations for seeing raptors were not high. But with ideal conditions (WNW winds at 5-7 mph and overcast skies) we had the most productive hawk watch of the season. We saw nine raptor species, including an amazing number of Red-shouldered Hawks-16! Over the two and a half hours we scanned the skies and the area around Turtle Pond, 31 species were identified. The raptors included Red-tailed Hawks, some migrating and others probably resident NYC birds, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Kestrel, Cooper’s Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, and Turkey Vulture. Most of the Red-shouldered Hawks we saw were flying east to west, suggesting they may have crossed Long Island Sound before heading inland. Some skirmishes among the raptors provided extra excitement. One particularly aggressive Merlin was seen harassing a Kestrel, then going after another Merlin, while a brave crow took on a Red-tailed Hawk. In the closing moments of the watch, a Sharp-shinned Hawk was spotted, our first and only Sharpie. Fittingly, the last bird spotted was a beautiful mature Bald Eagle soaring high above the Great Lawn. Thanks to our excellent leader, Gabriel Willow, for his keen eye and helpful tips on identification.