No Rest For The Weary Canada Geese

On Ice -- Small flock of Canada geese brace themselves on the ice of Harlem Meer during recent snow storm.

Struggling to maintain tiny pool of open water on otherwise frozen lake.

Whipping snow causes geese and few mallards to hunker down. But, if geese have it rough in New York City during winter, it is nothing compared to upstate New York where bullets puncture the icy blue skies on nearly daily basis.

"Kill 'em!" the hunters yell in the video below while targeting migratory Canada geese in upstate New York.

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http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/hunting/2013/12/hunting-ducks-and-geese-how-run-traffic

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I say, "migratory geese" as those are primarily what is around and traveling through New York these days.

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And if some doubt this claim, the outdoors column below lays proof to it in the hunter's own words as he freely admits to targeting the great migratory birds from the Arctic:

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http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/hunting/turkey-waterfowl/waterfowl-techniques/2013/12/waterfowl-goose-calling-hunting-river

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Why the fuss about "migratory vs resident" Canada geese?

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Because in a conversation with Martin Lowney, the New York State Director for USDA Wildlife Services, two years ago, he claimed that resident Canada geese from the states were "nesting" in the sub Arctic (because of egg addling conducted here) and "displacing" migratory geese, thus bringing down the latter's numbers.

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Apparently, Lowney doesn't read outdoors columns or watch hunter videos. Or, it was just another lie heaped upon all the others in order to dismiss non-lethal population control of resident Canada geese (such as egg addling and Border Collie hazing) in favor of USDA WS conducted slaughters.

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But, whether  being blown away by conniving hunters or rounded up by WS and slaughtered, the fact is Canada geese (regardless of resident or migratory) never have an easy season.

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Speaking of seasons, winter is not yet officially here, but don't tell that to the birds.

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There was reason for all those migratory geese flying into and quickly departing the Jackie Onassis Reservoir for places south over these many weeks.

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Temperatures in New York City have been mostly chilly this December and the other night, we had our first real snow storm.

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It was good thing that we rescued the four domestic ducks at Harlem Meer last week, because the lake was entirely iced over the other night and most of it, covered in snow.

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(Photos of the snow storm in Central Park:

https://www.facebook.com/patty.adjamine/media_set?set=a.10152088781118394.1073741826.811113393&type=1)

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Only a few of the most stubborn and resilient mallards remained to do battle with the ice, as did a small flock of stoic Canada geese.

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But, it seemed fruitless struggle to try and keep a tiny pool of open water in the blowing winds, sub-freezing temperatures and blowing snow.

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It will be interesting to see what the situation is tonight as temperatures have been bouncing around since the storm -- mild and then cold again.

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Its possible there may not be any waterfowl at the Meer tonight -- especially if the birds were unsuccessful in maintaining any open water.

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But, its also possible some of the ice melted yesterday and some ducks and geese may have returned.

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Or, it might just be the same courageous few birds bracing for a challenging winter ahead.

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No rest for the weary Canada geese for whom no season brings any actual peace.  -- PCA

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