A Bronx Red-Tail

Posted in Members, Wildlife on February 15 2011, by Patricia Gonzalez

Nestled in a corner of the North Bronx is an oasis of trees, plants, and flowers. For many in the borough, The New York Botanical Garden is an escape from the daily grind of living in New York City. Although it is known primarily as a museum of plants, the garden is also teaming with wildlife: Squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, muskrats, and other creatures make their home there, and so do many species of birds. Two of those birds, Rose and Vince, have become celebrities amongst the wildlife photographers and bird-watchers that regularly frequent the Garden’s 250 acres.

Rose and Vince are red-tailed hawks. Rose was a celebrity long before she built a nest at the Botanical Garden in 2009. She and Hawkeye, her first mate, had made their home on the Fordham University campus back in 2005 where they built a nest in an old oak tree and had two chicks. In 2006 they moved on to a ledge of one of the campus buildings (Collins Hall) where they had three more offspring. Success followed in 2007 and 2008 where they would have three chicks each year.

Rose was named after the Rose Hill Campus of Fordham. Hawkeye was named after Hawkeye Pierce, the character played by Fordham alum Alan Alda on the M.A.S.H. television series. Both hawks were named by James McCabe, Director of the Fordham Library.

In 2009 the hawks abandoned the Collins Hall nest. It is believed that this was due to nearby construction that might have frightened them away. They soon settled onto another structure similar to their old home. The Library Building at the nearby New York Botanical Garden.

Garden staffers and visitors alike enjoyed watching the two building their nest. And when three small white heads were seen later that year, there was much rejoicing amongst the bird watching community. As with their previous offspring, the three would eventually leave the nest, to pursue adventures in the big city.

Sadly, Hawkeye would not survive to extend his family. On July 30, 2009 officers from the NYPD Emergency Services Unit responded to a call from Fordham University security about an injured hawk on the lawn. While Vince lay on the grass, Rose kept a watchful eye, diving towards anyone getting too close. The ESU soon arrived, moving in with headgear and thick gloves. They carefully placed Hawkeye into a cage for medical transport. Sadly, he soon died after being taken to an animal care facility. An autopsy revealed traces of rat poison.

A new love would soon enter Rose’s life though: Vince, a younger red-tail with striking yellow eyes. Vince was named by Richard Fleischer, Professor of Political Science at Fordham. He named him after Vince Lombardi, the legendary football coach. Professor Fleisher has been observing Rose since 2005.

Rose can be identified by the metal band on her right leg. Before nesting at Fordham, Rose and Hawkeye had built a nest on a fire escape of a building on the Grand Concourse. The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) took the nest down accidentally injuring Rose in the process. She was taken to an animal rehabber where she was treated, mended and released close to her old territory. She was banded on her right leg for identification.

Rose and Vince hunt in and around the Botanical Garden. On March 5, 2010, I spotted Rose near one of the forest pathways, tearing the bark off a tree. Bark is used by hawks to line the bottom of their nests (nest bowl). But she and Vince had also been spotted perched on trees near Collins Hall, leaving some holding their breath. Naturally, Garden staff and visitors wanted to see the hawks settle back into the Museum Building while Fordham students and faculty looked forward to Rose and Vince returning to the Carmine Hall. The odds were stacked in Fordham’s favor though, as the nest there has been visibly growing larger while the Garden nest appeared the same.

In the end, the honor went to Fordham and the hawks became the proud parents to three chicks.

This year, the Garden is host to several young red tails hunting around the Library grounds and Native Forest. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing and filming them since November of 2010. It is possible that one or both are part of Rose’s brood. Speaking of which, Rose and Vince were sighted on February 7th at the Fordham campus. Rose was gathering nest materials. Looks like another extended family is on the horizon.

Ed. note: If you love The New York Botanical Garden, please consider becoming a Garden Member. And if, like Patricia, you love taking pictures at the Garden, please join our Flickr Group Pool!