Fred and Ginger, a Joy to Watch
The red-tailed hawk pair that hangs out between 72nd Street and 96th Street on the west side of Central Park — known to many hawk watchers as Fred and Ginger — had been trying to breed for several years, but were always unsuccessful. But in the spring and summer of 2022, the pair were successful, fledging two beautiful young hawks. Here are some “baby pictures.”
In the winter of 2018, I filmed the pair on several days as part of the Winter Red-Tails series. I took multiple photos, which I feature below.
Fred (left) and Ginger (right). Ginger has a pigeon. Fred wants some. Central Park, February 21, 2018
Fred, February 21, 2018
Fred, February 21,, 2018
These two videos in the Winter Red-Tails series feature Fred and Ginger. In Part III, Fred shows up at 1:40.
Fred likes to hunt near the 86th Street transverse on the west side south of the Reservoir. He will sometimes perch on the old stables building and watch for rats from there.
Ginger, February 21, 2018
Fred, February 20, 2018
Fred and Ginger near 86th street, February 20, 2018
Fred and Ginger, February 21, 2018
Fred and Ginger, Still Trying
A nest they tried to build on a building on Central Park West around 92nd Street was taken down by a maintenance worker in 2013, and another nest they tried to build on the Beresford building failed to produce eyasses. In 2016, the pair tried to brood on the San Remo building, but Ginger's egg rolled off the ledge. The pair tried again in 2017, but although Ginger sat one day on a makeshift nest on West 81st Street, new kids resulted.
Ginger and Fred, April 17, 2017
This year the pair built a partial nest on West 81st Street, and last week Ginger spent a day on those branches, raising hopes that the pair was finally brooding. But apparently it was a false alarm, because both hawks have been hunting and eating in the Ramble recently, and not sitting on the nest.
On April 17, 2017, Ginger was spotted in the Ramble in the afternoon eating a meal, probably brought to her by Fred. After she finished her dinner, Fred came to her branch, and the pair mated again. I document nature, so here's the video.
It may be too late for a successful nest, but these two hawks are such a joy to watch that we are encouraged that they keep trying. These shots are of the pair, and then Ginger as she eats and then preens after mating.
Fred was shown dining in a video from March 2016.