Birds of Inwood

The Ospreys took command of the Henry Hudson Bridge this past week. Developed in the 1930s by New York City Parks Commissioner Robert Moses to link Manhattan and the Bronx for motorists, the bridge served as the strategic launching perch for Ospreys fishing in the waters of Spuyten Duyvil Creek below.

Near the times of high tide, one or two Ospreys assumed their positions on top of the light posts that grace the bridge. From a distance, they appeared to be counting traffic.

Throughout this past week, one Osprey regularly perched on the Bronx side of the Harlem River. This Osprey could be the mother of juvenile Ospreys under her watch. She (we assume) also got in on the action and was seen, like the others, to cling to a large fish while perched. The staging area for this successful fishing operation extended from the bridge and then east to the stadium lights of Columbia University’s athletic stadium.

Occasionally, one of the Ospreys flew to the Inwood Hill Park side of the river, landing in a favorite snag. We call this the “Osprey tree.”

Based on past observations from September, Osprey fishing will likely continue deep into the month. Watch the bridge.

Fall Migration

The fall migration of birds heading south is fully underway. Last night, according to the migration tools provided by BirdCast, 516,900 birds passed through New York County. Most continued flying south, but many stayed overnight in the park.

This morning, as I walked over to the park at daybreak, the sky was full of birds. I made my way up and around the high ridges of the park, encountering new birds as well as regulars. Many juveniles were among them. It’s time once again to take regular walks in the old growth forest, although the marsh areas, too, remain favorites for many of the migratory birds.

Check the new September 2024 page for regular sightings.

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