The Saga of Pale Male Continues

The debate about whether or not a Fifth Avenue co-op should have removed the nest of red-tailed hawks, which are protected species, rages on. Co-op board members, including Paula Zahn and her husband Richard Cohen whose the president (list of co-op board members from Curbed), were faced with protesters across from the apartment building, some holding signs saying "Ebenezer Zahn." Many tenants refuse to comment about the situation that has booted out beloved hawk Pale Male, his common-law partner Lola, and other hawks, worried that Cohen's wrath will "will come down on them." However, one woman who lives near the building was happy to say, "Those lousy people should all drop dead except Mary Tyler Moore [who live in 927 but is extremely angry about the nest removal]." New Yorkers love finding a cause they can rally around, and when rich Upper East Siders are the "villains," it's that much easier.

The Fish and Wildlife Services is trying to work out a plan with 927 Fifth, suggesting the building create a larger platform for a nest. And Pale Male was seen circling The Carlyle Hotel, the Madison at 76th hotel whose manager James McBride told the Daily News, "He's very welcome, but has yet to order room service." Gothamist is very confident that a hotel of The Carlyle's stature (rates go from $550 to $5000) could easily serve freshly killed pigeon to Pale Male and his family. Whether or not the staff would feed the pigeon to the babies, via regurgitation, is another question.

The NY Times had a pro-Pale Male editorial and the Post has a conservationist explain that needing to build a new nest may affect Pale Male's breeding ability. Plus our readers debate the issue.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on December 10, 2004 9:05 AM

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gabriela kaplan, md

SOLO FLIGHT

Dedicated to Pale Male

A dozen years ago, spring brought a pair of hawks to a Manhattan’s lofty ledge

In their ancient rite of spring, they built a nest

Where fledglings shared its soft and downy warmth.

Days passed, and the young hawks spread their wings in joyous dance.

Until a puff of air caught their outstretched wings,

Whisking them away to explore the wondrous kingdom that lay below.

This royal family presides serenely over Central park.

Where the crocus bloom and New Yorkers roam.

Where congregations quench their thirst for life in the beloved pond.

But one winter day, the owners of this granite ledge cast asunder their precious nest.

Causing the congregation to clamor: “return the nest, return the nest"

The days were cold, but their cause melted the hearts of all.

So, the nest is back where it belongs.

The Empire city learned to embrace their hawks.

And in so doing, found the good that there is in all,

Sharing the wondrous kingdom that lies below

Gabriela Kaplan, MD

C 2005

Life_watch@msn.com

Kurt

The red tailed hawks (Pale Male and Lola) saga on Manhattans Upper

East Side is a sad reminder to me of how sometimes the ones that seem

to love and believe in a cause so strongly, often can cause more harm

to what they so strongly believe in.

I really love having those 2 hawks at the end of my street. I became

accustomed to my daily glance up to the nest as I walked to work each

morning.

I want to be clear I believe the Hawks should be left alone at the

current spot 74th and 5th. I believe the residents of the building

have displayed patients and also a fondness for these hawks over the

years by letting them stay.

Pale Male has lived in his nest for years and years without

disturbance and due to the popularity and world wide coverage of the

hawks in the past couple years the publicity has increasingly created

an environment that has breached the solitude and privacy the owners

of the apartments around may desire.

During weekends or all summer the hawk stalkers who certainly mean no

harm, have their high powered telescopes and binoculars fixed on any

window or ledge the hawks may happen to stand on.

People need to give these residents some sort of privacy.

Mary Tyler Moore is a person I have the greatest respect for. She has

chosen a life in the limelight and in front of cameras. If she

doesn’t mind a telescope fixed on her building that's her prerogative

to feel that way, however not everyone feels that way. Some like a

quiet life out of any limelight or publicity and I respect that too.

She resides in the building on 5th Avenue where the hawks have made

their nest. She has spoken out in favor of leaving the nest where it

currently is and has been seen waving to protesters.. She would

better serve these beautiful hawks maybe by taking a more effective

and less divisive role in the nests protection. To me there seems to

be an evident lack of harmony in the co-op .building that probably

runs deeper than Pale Male and Lola. Now that the nest is back in

place everyone take a deep breath? Admire the hawks but also give

some respect to the residents on 5th Ave. Stop pointing these

telescopes all weekend or summer at any buildings that the Hawks sit

at and respect the residents rights to open their drapes and stand

with a cup of coffee admiring their view without always the

possibility of a group of people with binoculars fixed on them.

I realize at times people do want to admire these hawks close up and

it would be a tremendous act of courtesy to advise the buildings

around the nest when there is a planned set up of recording

equipment. Also do it at limited times and hours. Give some space,

peace and respect to the inhabitants of these building including Pale

Male and Lola (the red tailed hawks). The hawks want to be left alone

probably as much as the interior residents do.

Peace in 2005 Kurt Hoke

Unclerad

After having seen the documentary about Pale Male out here in California I was very sorry to hear His nest was destroyed. While I expected a rebuild the nest backlash movement from that action I can't help attributing more common sense to this noble bird. I mean, would you rebuild and trust your future offspring to the very same site so obtusely destroyed by humans once already? I mean, does Pale Male think a storm took it away? No, I'm sure He'll pass on the idea. However I certainly hope He'll pick another place within sight of the park!

gabriela kaplan,md

SOLO FLIGHT OF NYC HAWKS

Dedicated to Endangered Species.

The spring as usual,

brought a pair of hawks

to the frosty granite bluff.

Their soaring flight

choreographed by warm updrafts

echoed their zest for life.

In their ancient rite of spring,

they built a nest,

Where fledglings nestleD in their downy warmth.

This royal family presided serenely over Central park,

Where the crocus bloom and new Yorkers roam.

Where the congregation quench their thirst for life

in its sparkling pond.

As days go bye, the hawks spread their wings in joyous dance.

Until one day, a puff of air,

caught their outstretched wings,

and in its eternal embrace,

lifted them away

to explore the wondrous kingdom that lay below.

But then one day, the owners of the lofty condo

Where the hawks had found their home,

Cast asunder their trusted nest,

Destroying one of the most cherished gifts

that nature had bestowed upon our granite town.

Gabriela Kaplan, MD

718 575 0500

life_watch@msn.com

Chris

Good story.

Also, I would prefer that Jen Chung learns better English before writing articles.

Thanks anyway,

Chris

Jo Miller

Richard Cohen's office address, phone & fax.

The meeting with the board and building managers is tomorrow. Note what Marie Winn (author of the book about Pale Male) has to say about why the proposed "compromise" solution is unacceptable.

Penny Bianchi

I have been going to New York every year at the same time to see these hawks in their nest. And all my seven grandchildren have seen them too...These hawks are a gift of nature, and we simply have to get that nest back. Yay Mary Tyler Moore...she helped before....someone get hold of Joanne Woodward...she narrated the movie...Pale Male!!!! I think she would help!

Keep up the pressure

Penny Bianchi!!!

Magic Fingers

Has everyone seen the reverse phone number lookup of the residents of that building yet? (read Gawker, Curbed, or do yourself at www.whitepages.com)

Who's betting that "Smooth Touch" is a high end whore house?

dragonballyee

Remember that old "comic" The Regurgitator? He used to make appearances on the Tonight Show and stuff. Used to swallow different things like sugar and wine then regurgitate them on command... separately, sugar undissolved and wine still red. Maybe the Carlyle can get that guy.

Jo Miller

The pigeon-parts excuse is a lie, according to several staff members that I (and the NY Post) spoke with. Red-tailed hawks are very clean. They don't fling their food about, and in fact there's nothing like a raptor to scare away those defecating pigeons.

It was the attention that the building didn't like. People in Central Park watched the birds with binoculars and cameras, which offended certain residents of the building (who, if they so object to living in a community, might do better to spend their $18M on a remote mansion with security gates...you live in NYC, and people can see your building--get over it).

Frankly, hawk watchers watch hawks, not people. So intently is their attention focused on the magnificent birds that I'll wager Mr. "Greta Garbo" Winters could do a naked cha-cha in his twelfth-floor window at high noon on a summer Saturday without being noticed by any of the watchers.

Not now, though. Now we have eyes only for you, Mr. Winters. And Mr. Cohen. And Mr. Wasserstein and Ms. Zahn and the rest of the coop board. We'll be seeing you in a couple of hours.

Captain Midnight

The folks at 927 are a bunch of weenies if they can't stand a few avian body parts. I've worked in a building with Peregrine falcons and we quickly stopped even noticing the occasional dismembered pigeon wing and the falcon droppings below the nest.

Jo Miller

Thanks for covering the Pale Male story so faithfully, Jen!

I spoke with several people at the vigil, and each of them had their own highly personal story of what the hawks had meant to them. More than one mentioned being drawn to the nest as a symbol of hope and life after 9/11. I think this is what the bird foes don't understand: these creatures have touched people's lives -- here and around the world -- in various and often profound ways.

I'd like to hear other people's stories. You can share your name or not, use a fake e-mail or not, as you wish. (Don't bother posting hateful screeds; it's a moderated forum.)

Thanks.