There is a wonderful Hawk Cam on the New York Times now – two redtailed hawks have made a nest on the window ledge of the president of NYU, on the 12th floor of the Bobst Library. Bobby, the male, is named after the Bobst, and Violet, the mom, is named after the school color.
Violet was banded some years back by environmentalists, and the band is now higher on her leg and restricting blood flow to her foot. Watching her trying to feed the babe, needing to hold on to dinner and stand up with that bad foot, while reaching with her beak, is becoming increasingly hard for her – and hard for us all to watch.
Several raptor experts have been talking to NYU, which, just two days ago, turned the problem over to the State Conservation folk, who decided to wait. The comments have been so upset, feeling that waiting is awful and that the risks to Violet and the babe grow daily. Father Bobby has been very faithful at providing food, and sitting on the nest, but folk are really disturbed by Violet’s evident discomfort and hard time caring for her family.
Here’s a comment I wrote yesterday:
“Let me suggest that NYU ask an Animal Communicator to assist. A psychic who can send and receive messages from animals, that person would be able to send Violet calming pictures, to ‘tell’ her that the babe will be fine, and that she will be better able to care for it after being netted and treated. She will much more able to tolerate the capture with such a person on site, relaying information to her. It will make for an easier and happier ending to this story.”
— The latest update says that around noontime tomorrow, a capture will be attempted, to hopefully treat Violet and put her back immediately into the nest, probably in time for lunch. NY Times.com, then NY/region, will get you to the Hawk Cam.