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The three (debeaked) domestic ducks abandoned at the Boat Lake (in Central Park) a couple of months ago were rescued this past Saturday by my friend, Liliana and two other people concerned for them.
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The ducks were brought to The Wild Bird Fund, where they will soon be sent to join Casper in an upstate farm owned by florist.
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This is very good news considering the bitter weather soon to come, as well as constant harassment from Geese Police.
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Geese Police still shows up everyday, despite there only being three geese now (At Boat Lake) in all of Central Park.
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One of the geese is a "loner" who likely his lost his/her mate or family (like Cago).
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S/he tags along with the other two geese, the male of which, sometimes chases him/her off.
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It is a very slow process for loner geese to be accepted by others. Presumably, the daily harassment from Geese Police doesn't help, though these geese are used to that by now and take measures for avoidance, according to Liliana.
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Meanwhile, the four domestic ducks at Harlem Meer (for exactly one year now) continue to prepare for the cold winter ahead, along with the mallards.
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This is the time of year the birds have to "calorie load" in order to build fat reserves to get them through the lean times of winter.
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With all the duck weed gone from the lake now, it is common to see the mallards munching on the grassy lawns that surround Harlem Meer.
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The domestics (since they cannot fly) however, need to remain far more cautious and wary.
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They rarely venture out of the protected fenced-in areas of the Meer and are more reliant upon human handouts.
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Fortunately, many people who visit the Meer appear to care about the four domestic ducks and are frequently seen tossing treats to them on the sly (it is technically forbidden to feed "wildlife" even though the domestics are not).
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Without the kindness of strangers, these domestic birds would have a tough go of it -- particularly over winter. But, so far, they thankfully continue to thrive.
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As far as geese, I don't see any resident geese on my two miles walks everyday -- a situation that causes even further grief over the death of Cago more than a month ago.
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I am also missing the return and appearance of Hector, the mute swan who was harassed out of Harlem Meer last spring by Geese Police (along with a few geese).
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Hector had returned to the Meer last November, but so far, there is no sign of him.
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Unfortunately, Harlem Meer is not a hospitable place these days for any migratory birds, though it is surprising to see a gray heron hanging around the past couple of weeks.
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I have to hope that Hector did not fly to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge seeking "shelter from the storm" of Harlem Meer.
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Plans are in the works for the swans at Jamaica Bay to be killed by USDA WS -- just as the geese have been over the past two years.
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Indeed, the only bright spot in terms of migratory birds passing through NYC and specifically, Central Park has been the hundreds of gulls and geese who have peacefully utilized the Jackie Onassis Reservoir as brief stop off and resting point, before moving on.
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Though most have already passed through, there are still some flocks of late straggler geese who fly into the Reservoir almost daily and usually take off during the early evening.
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If I am really lucky, I occasionally get to enjoy the glorious sights and sounds of a gaggle of geese lining up on the water and honking loudly and joyously as they take off for the adventures of the great beyond.
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One can literally feel their enthusiasm and celebration lighting up the dark skies overhead as the geese journey through in their highly organized "V" formations.
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I have to admit to just a small tinge of jealousy, as so often it is wished I could join them. -- PCA
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