HAWKS TAKE FLIGHT OVER HISTORIC MONASTERY SQUARE AS LOCAL BIRDERS MOBILIZE TO DOCUMENT WILDLIFE
November 4, 2026
Red-tailed Hawk in tree within Monastery Square 8902 Ridge Blvd Brooklyn, New York
Red-shouldered, Cooper’s, and Red-tailed Hawks Spotted on Visitation Academy Grounds as Community Works to Identify Potential Nesting Sites
BAY RIDGE, BROOKLYN, NY — The historic 7.5-acre grounds of Visitation Academy and Monastery, known as Monastery Square, are drawing attention for more than their architectural and cultural significance. Recent sightings of Red-shouldered Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, and Red-tailed Hawks have prompted local birdwatchers to investigate potential nesting locations on the secluded property.
Surrounded by a historic enclosure wall, the grounds at 8902 Ridge Boulevard contain mature trees, extensive vegetation, and a historic pond, providing an unusual wildlife refuge in the heart of Bay Ridge.
The Visitation Academy & Monastery Landmark Initiative has contacted local birding and wildlife organizations, encouraging birdwatchers, photographers, and residents to document sightings and help identify potential nesting sites.
Federal Law Protects Hawks and Their Nests
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) protects native migratory birds, including all three hawk species reported at Monastery Square. Federal law generally prohibits killing, capturing, or harming protected birds and taking their eggs or active nests without authorization.
These protections are particularly relevant to construction, tree removal, and other activities that could disturb nesting birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers the law, while additional protections may apply under New York State wildlife regulations.
A Call to the Community: Look Up for Visitation
"For more than a century, these grounds have been a sanctuary for the Sisters of the Visitation, generations of students, and the wildlife that has found refuge behind these walls," said Caroline Cardillo, Founder and Chair of the Visitation Academy & Monastery Landmark Initiative.
"We welcome every birder, wildlife photographer, and neighbor to share their sightings, photographs, and findings with us. We want to identify the birds living here, locate potential nesting sites, and ensure they receive the protection they deserve. I encourage everyone to look up into the trees and the sky. These grounds have stories to tell, and not all of them are written in history books."
Submit Your Wildlife Sightings
The Initiative welcomes photographs, sightings, and observations of hawks and other wildlife on the property. Submissions should include the date, approximate location, species if known, and photographs when available. Exact nest locations should be shared privately to protect the birds.
Website: www.LandmarkVisitation.com
Red-Shouldered Hawk flys above Monastery Square 8902 RIdge Boulevard Brooklyn, NY
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