Norman and Madeleine, a red-tailed hawk couple, have a nest above the statue of St. Peter on the Morningside Drive side of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on 110th Street in Manhattan. This year they had three little kids, and the youngsters have now fledged, fortunately for now into the Close.
A red-tailed hawk fledgling in the Close of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, July 15
This red-tailed trio are about a month younger than the fledglings in Central Park, Grant's Tomb and Tompkins Square Park. The first video in The Divine St. John Fledglings series follows the kids from June 13 through July 15. You can really see how young they are here.
The grounds of the cathedral, called The Close, are so beautiful. Three peacocks — Phil (the white one), Jim and Harry (the blue ones) — live there and can wander wherever they want. Right now, the peacocks are molting, and feathers can be found all over the place. The three fledglings have been running around on the lawns, chasing squirrels and bugs. You will see that in future videos.
Madeleine (I think) on Gabriel's horn on the top of the cathedral, keeping watch over her fledglings, July 11, 2017
My first trip to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine was probably 15-20 years ago, when I attended a free concert by the New York Philharmonic there. The church has a rich history of the arts, poetry, compassion, love of nature and education (the Cathedral School is a very special place for K-8 students). The church has a Blessing of the Animals event each year.
These photos cover June 13 through July 15.
