One of the downsides of letting Gray Tree Frogs take over your pool

[PooOnShu]

We've sort of let our pool go for the last couple of years, and they grays have filled it up with lovely tadpoles this year, and some of them are starting to fly the coop. Unfortunately, this hawk (or something. Please feel free to tell me what kind of bird this is) got stuck while trying to enjoy the buffet. (Forgive the 2nd video. I asked my nephew to record it for me.)

[flybyferns]

We've sort of let our pool go for the last couple of years, and they grays have filled it up with lovely tadpoles this year, and some of them are starting to fly the coop. Unfortunately, this hawk (or something. Please feel free to tell me what kind of bird this is) got stuck while trying to enjoy the buffet. (Forgive the 2nd video. I asked my nephew to record it for me.)

The bird looks like an Osprey - as far as I can tell from the videos!

[flybyferns]

It is most definitively an Osprey. I just listened to its call in the 3rd video. It is a fledgling. Adults get quite large.

These photos were taken at Target Rock State Park ( on the corner of Long Island Sound and Huntington Harbor ) -3 week ago

[Deac77]

Looks like a red tail hawk honestly we have them all over here I've rehabilitated one before

[GrifTheGreat]

I was thinkin Kestryl. I've seen may like this and they don't vet much larger. There are small birds of prey like Falcons, but it is definitely a young one.

[PooOnShu]

Almost forgot. Here is a photo of it before I got the string loose. Handsome devil.

[IrishRonin]

You've got me all excited, im a falconer apprentice. The best I can tell is its a Goshawk, Osprey have more white on there head and there body and Bright yellow eyes, like a bald eagle, plus long fully feathered feet and kestrels are much much smaller and more brightly colored. Im still not 100% cause i would need a closer look at its feet, face, wings and tail. but heres a few pics 1st-opsrey 2nd- kestrel 3rd- goshawk
all pics are juv. birds

[IrishRonin]

Oh and thanks for helping him/her out, even though he/she was grubbin down on the poor little tads. On that note he/she must have been hungry to risk getting all water logged just for a few tadpoles. After you got em out did he/she fly away?

[PooOnShu]

Well, I certainly couldn't just leave such a beautiful animal (or even an ugly one) suffering and scared like that. I was nervous that I might have to don dad's waders and risk losing a finger or two going in after it. I thought there was no way it would trust the broom like that.

It didn't fly away, but it was able to spread its wings fully and stand on its own. I didn't see any blood or anything on the string, either. It stood for a minute with my mom, nephew, and I getting a good look (what are the odds of this happening again?) until it decided it had had enough of the scrutiny and ran into the bushes. I figure it was either to soaked or too exhausted from the fight to get off the ground.

Whatever it was, it wasn't starving. No hard feelings here, though. That's just nature at work.

[IrishRonin]

I have to agree it was water logged and probably very tiered from the ordeal. Yeah that something you just dont get see, very cool thanks for sharing

[PooOnShu]

Surprisingly enough, that thing had a mean breast stroke. I just hope it never has to use it again lol