By Serena Solomon
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER WEST SIDE — A pair of red-tailed hawks that have made a home in Riverside Park are sitting on two eggs that could hatch any minute now.
The love birds became the darlings of local residents after nesting in the park for the last few years just above the West 79th Street Boat Basin. Now, with the nesting season in full swing, the hawks have drawn their own paparazzi of birdwatchers.
"We noticed they were incubating around March 10," said Sarah Aucoin, the director of the Parks Department's Urban Park Rangers. "They have not hatched, but they could hatch any day."
Incubation generally takes a month, with the birds taking shifts to keep the eggs warm, Aucoin said. When there are eggs in the nest hawks tend to become very territorial and can even abandon their unhatched offspring if they feel threatened.
"They will attack and act aggressive towards other hawks," said Aucoin.
The birds are most active just before sunset, which is when bird photographer, Pierre Henri, sets up his telescope and begins his nightly stakeout. After watching the pair for years, he learned their mannerisms and said he could predict their behavior.
"There are a lot of people in the park that love these birds," he said, as he moved his tripod around the grass for the best view of the nest early Wednesday evening.
As if on cue, the male bird flew over Henri, showing off his large wingspan.
With his eye to the lens, Henri saw the male had brought twigs to the nest. The hawk landed and joined the female on her incubating shift.
Henri was not alone in spying on the nest.
Ed Kajkowski, a 56-year-old Upper West Side resident, has watched the pair for years. Last year, he said, the hawk hatchlings were killed by cars.
"The babies, we were sort of rooting for them," he said.
For the Parks Department workers, who have watched the process closely, the arrival of baby hawks could mean a few changes for Riverside Park.
"Even once they have hatched we still provide some protection," Aucoin said. The department could cordon off the area or suspend off-leash hours for dogs, especially once the young begin to venture from the nest.
"It's hard not to be fascinated," she said. "And hopeful."
