In 1991, a rather light-colored red-tailed hawk was spotted by some regular bird-watchers in NYC's Central Park. Observers were excited to see the hawk engage in courtship display and win a mate. Their first nesting attempt was foiled by mobbing crows, but the next year the pair built a new nest on the side of a building, an unusual site for red-tailed hawks to choose. They laid eggs which failed to hatch, but later on had success- and eager bird-watchers counted the chicks, watched the parents going to and fro to feed them, witnessed the young hawks' first flight. Meanwhile they also did all they could to protect the birds without disturbing them- stepping in when the city poisoned rats and pigeons, or when maintenance workers attempted to remove the nest. The notably pale hawk is a mainstay through the story, but had several different mates in a row- and one that apparently returned to him later on- because some of them met with misfortune. The hawk and his various mates became pretty famous for thriving and raising so many young year after year in the heart of New York City. The book isn't all about hawks though- in fact I'd say it's more about birds of all kinds in Central Park and the people- from dedicated scientists and locals to visiting tourists who never took an interest before. There are downy woodpeckers, saw-whet owls, flickers, green herons, killdeer and one rare seagull escaped from a zoo mentioned in particular, and many many more species mentioned just as sightings. The account as a whole is really engaging and lovely to read, although I felt the title and jacket description a bit misleading since the hawks aren't the entire focus of it.

from the Dogear Diary ( )

A great read - I enjoyed it so much I basically read it in one sitting. An uplifting story about a male hawk and his various mates as they build their nest each year on a ledge of an apartment building near Central Park. These hawks bring together experienced birdwatchers along with others who are drawn in by the unlikely magic of this ritual in such a busy place. The author shares her joys and worries about the hawks as well as other bird sightings and pairings throughout the park. A great read for anyone who loved the natural worls and/or NYC. ( )

The interesting and endearing tale of wild raptors surviving and thriving in a most unlikely location, the concrete jungle of New York CIty's famous Fifth Avenue. Yes, the more scientifically-inclined readers out there may find some segments slightly anthropomorphic, but they will undoubtedly appreciate the meticulous wildlife census data amassed by the unusually dedicated birdwatchers of Central Park (many of whom contributed to this book and are just as fascinating as the birds themselves). There's a little bit for just about everybody in Winn's work: poetry, ornithology and zoology info, celebrity encounters, romance, parenting woes, and mystery. A sure fire hit for nature/animal lovers, birdwatchers, parks officials, wildlife rehabilitators, fans of Central Park and Mary Tyler Moore, and just about anyone else with an interest in the outdoors. If you're a tourist planning a trip to Central Park and/or 5th Avenue, I highly recommend reading this before you visit. ( )

http://www.fromseedtobloom.com/2011/04/17/red-tails-in-love/ ( )

A group of nature lovers coalesces around a red-tail hawk in Central Park, his several mates over the years, and a series of nests/nestlings/fledglings. The book is really about the watchers, not the hawks, although ornithological details aren't absent. Great guides and maps at the end of the book. ( )