The owner of an apartment building overlooking Central Park (reportedly Paula Zahn's husband), has removed the nest of a hawk named Pale Male, who was featured in a recent PBS program of the same name. Pale Male and his mate built their nest on the ledge of a building overlooking Central Park, and have had a number of successful broods. The hawks are currently trying to rebuild their nest:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N09441396.htm
NEW YORK, Dec 9 (Reuters) - The abrupt removal of the nest belonging to Pale Male, a famous red-tailed hawk who lived on a tony Manhattan apartment building, had bird lovers up in arms on Thursday and demanding his home be restored.
Pale Male, once the topic of a documentary, is said to have been evicted for defecating on his doorstep and dropping the gnarled remains of pigeons outside the building entrance.
Supporters rallied for a second day on Thursday outside the apartment building overlooking Central Park, saying he gives a rare glimpse of wildlife to hardened city dwellers.
"We're just incensed by the disregard for New York City wildlife," said Stephanie Blackwood, who protested in front of the building on Thursday.
Her colleague, Jan-Peter Daniels, held a sign that read: "Successful, rich and mean. Give Pale Male his home back."
The bird gets his name from his unusually washed-out color. His unusual nest, built 12 stories above the park, inspired a book, a movie and a cult following. Bird lovers gathered there to observe the hawk and his mates, who raised more than 20 chicks in the nest since building it in 1993.
Some devotees whispered on Thursday about "guerrilla tactics" to have Pale Male reinstated.
In George Bush's America everything is at risk, and we need to fight to help this bird. Please join the petition:
FAMOUS RED-TAILED HAWK FINDS HIMSELF
HOMELESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TODAY!
A New York City institution and America's most famous avian celebrity is in jeopardy! For more than 10 years, the world has been dazzled and awed by a Red-Tailed Hawk who has made his home atop a 5th Avenue apartment overlooking Central Park. That is until earlier this week, when his nest was destroyed at the direction of the building's cooperative board. Take action today by signing our petition and put this beautiful hawk back in his home for the holidays!
Named "Pale Male" by his numerous faithful followers, captured in a book and PBS documentary, this hawk has been tirelessly trying to rebuild his nest, a somewhat futile effort, as the co-op also removed a series of steel spikes - originally put in place to discourage pigeons from roosting - but managed to provide a strong structure to hold Pale Male's nest in place. Why the co-op destroyed the nest is unclear. What is clear is that Pale Male's future is uncertain -- but he isn't giving up, so neither are we!
Audubon is calling for a full investigation as to why this happened, what is needed to remedy this situation, and whether reinstating the nest or other mitigation measures will be effective. And we've also launched a nationwide petition drive to urge the co-op to allow Pale Male to rebuild his nest and remain in New York City. Help restore Pale Male's home in time for the holidays by participating in this petition drive! Simply review the petition below and click on the link provided. Your action will go a long way to helping ensure Pale Male does not go homeless for the holidays!
http://www.audubon.org/SavePaleMale_Petition.html
Please also help get the word out on this. I realize we can take the attitude that this is just a bird, but damn it, when a wild animal shows the ability to adapt to changes brought on by humans, it is deserving of our support.
And BTW, George Bush allowed this to happen:
Until recently, the nest was protected by a federal treaty, first enacted in 1918 and administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, which prevented the destruction of nests in migratory bird habitats. But Terri Edwards, a spokeswoman for the Fish and Wildlife Service, said yesterday that the agency had issued a clarification of the rules in 2003 that allows the destruction of migratory bird nests if it is done during a season when the nests are not being used to hatch or raise offspring.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/09/nyregion/09hawk.html?8bl