eliotc's photostream  

Peregrine Falcons are native to the United States and are the fastest living thing, reaching speeds of 200 MPH. However, by the 1960s, they disappeared entirely in the Eastern US, and by 1983 there were only 200 pairs in the entire country, all out west. With the banning of pesticide DDT, they have significantly recovered. Historically they roosted on cliffs, and many now use the ledges of tall buildings.

Excitingly, a pair of Peregrines has been roosting outside the 8th-10th floors of Hofstra's library since 2007. Especially in the winter, one or both of them can often be seen from the bridge heading to the Unispan just outside Axinn Library, in front of Hofstra Hall.

Icteria virens, Very unusual winter visitor to Bryant Park, as previously reported by others, perched in a decorated Christmas tree outside the New York Public Library near the corner of 5th Ave and 42nd Street in Manhattan.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus, in Central Park, Manhattan. This species has declined in the northeast in recent years, and is rare in New York City, though there has been one in Central Park last winter and this winter.

At Theodore Roosevelt Park, right outside the door of the American Museum of Natural History, Manhattan, as previously reported by others for the last few weeks. Normally Rufous Hummingbirds don't come east of Colorado. video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BReL85cJTAs

At Theodore Roosevelt Park, right outside the door of the American Museum of Natural History, Manhattan, as previously reported by others for the last few weeks. Normally Rufous Hummingbirds don't come east of Colorado. video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BReL85cJTAs