3 thoughts on “Fourth of July at Washington Square”

  1. Hello

    I found your WSP blog on the internets. As a long-time visitor to the park, I am concerned the squirrel population will be annihilated by the hawks that now reside around the park. Much attention has been paid by the media (particularly the NY Times) to the nesting hawks – I guess the fate of the squirrels does not require as much attention.

    I was in the park on Wednesday and found a hawk perched directly atop a squirrel house – with one terrorized squirrel crouching inside the house. The hawk was just waiting for it’s food. No hunting required-easy pickings in a squirrel house.

    I took pictures and posted this note to the latest NY Times City Room article about the NYU hawks:

    I may have partially answered my own question (#6 above). I entered WSP again today shortly after 2pm and immediately came upon one of the hawks, just west of the arch. The hawk was sitting directly on top of one of the squirrel houses. Just inside the squirrel house was one terrified occupant. The hawk sat there for quite some time, at least 20 minutes, before finally flying off.

    It seems like the squirrels are easy pickings for the hawks. Perhaps the Parks Department might consider a modification of the squirrel houses (to make the tops less like attractive as a perch) and/or a relocation of some of the houses.

    The hawks are a sight to behold – but it would be a shame to lose the playful squirrels that have been a fixture of the park for, well, ever.

    http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/hawk-cam-bobby-returns-briefly/?scp=2&sq=hawk&st=cse

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  2. Hi Drewo,

    I did see your comment and I thought it was really on target. It’s a really good idea. Love the squirrels at washington square and I know they have many fans. I’ll definitely run a post with your comment in it on Monday.

    Maybe we could start a campaign? Perhaps the NY Times would run something. The hawks have to eat something so it’s going to be a squirrel or a pigeon or a rat but I suppose we don’t have to make it so easy for them. Poor little squirrel you witnessed!

    I don’t know how easy it is to move a squirrel box or modify or get them to use another one… That would be interesting to know.

    Cathryn.
    WSP Blog

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