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The ice has finally melted at Central Park watercourses and new buds can be seen on many of the trees. Robins are once again flying around Central Park and the migratory Canada geese (on way to the Sub Arctic or Canada) stopping briefly to rest and refuel announce their arrivals to and departures from Central Park with wild exuberance.
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But, perhaps the greatest sign of newly arrived spring, is the pairing up and claiming of territory amongst the park's water birds.
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It is common now to see pairs of mallards strolling romantically along park lawns or sunning themselves on a rock. Other times, what I refer to as "bar room brawls" are also common among the mallards as the drakes chase off other ducks who venture into their space or make a move toward their hens.
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Most of the paired ducks actually chose their mates during the winter so as presumably to protect themselves from the inevitable battles for mates and territory of the spring. However, such pairings are not obvious in winter when all the birds huddle together for warmth and searches for available food and open water.
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Winter is a matter of survival.
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Spring is battle for territory and mates as well as celebration of new life.
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Perhaps nowhere are these "rites of spring" more obvious than in a particular pair of Canada geese who have been staying at Harlem Meer for approximately two weeks.
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The pair who I have named Napoleon and Josephine ("Josie" for short) have claimed the entire western portion of the lake. Though there are presently about a dozen other geese at the Meer, none dare to venture past an invisible line Napoleon has apparently drawn across the middle of the water.
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Napoleon stands "guard" all the times I have seen him -- usually on a rock, allowing him full visibility of the entire lake. His lady, Josie, is free to fill her belly by grazing on the nearby lawns or even begging treats from humans. So far, in about two weeks, I have never seen Napoleon take time to feed, his eyes are so constantly fixated on the lake and its other goose inhabitants.
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While the other pairs of geese at the Meer are mostly respectful of Napoleon's territorial claims, there is the occasional pair (and yesterday, two) who, either out of carelessness or some type of "dare-devil" attitude, venture over the invisible line on the water.
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When that occurs, Napoleon -- like a bat out of hell -- suddenly veers across the water, wings flapping wildly, neck stretched out and loudly honking, to nail the offending gander in the butt and chase off the water. (Talk about "kicking ass!")
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Napoleon continues to stalk and harass, forcing the challenging ganders to take flight. Napoleon then chases them full circle around the entire lake until finally, the offending ganders are forced to land on the water far to the east of where they were first attacked. There, they eventually rejoin their mates who offer condolence and support.
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While all these antics are occurring, Josie remains confidently on the grass or in the water, looking up and cheering her man on with loud, encouraging and celebratory honks.
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"You go, my love! Show them who's BOSS!"
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When at last, Napoleon returns to Josie, the two celebrate victory with a cacophony of exuberant honks while Napoleon flaps his wings and sticks out his chest: "No one messes with me or my lady! -- NO ONE!"
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And yes, so far not one visiting migratory or resident goose has gotten one inch over the invisible line in the water without getting his butt royally kicked by Napoleon while cheerleading Josie eggs him on.
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The two "lovebirds" have complete charge of the entire west side of the lake while all the other (less mature) geese are forced to compete for limited space on the east side and engage in their own little "dominance displays" probably in preparation for the days they too, will be driven by nature and time to nest.
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When that occurs, the female goose will spend the entire early spring eating -- i.e. calorie loading -- (as Josie is doing now) and cheering on her mate, while the gander "stands guard" virtually 24/7 in preparation for battle and territorial claiming.
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The challenges of actual nesting are, after all, among the greatest challenges for geese.
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During nesting, the hen virtually "fasts" for 28 days while sitting continuously on her eggs while her gander has to be on constant look-out for any predatory threats. Both geese have to be immediately prepared to defend nest and eggs should threat arise.
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During nesting, the typical female goose will lose 25% of her body weight.
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This helps explain the seemingly voracious appetites of soon-to-be nesting hens and the hyper vigilant, seemingly "aggressive" behavior of their ganders.
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It's all necessary if they are to successfully nest and raise young.
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Currently, the hundreds of geese commonly seen at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park these days are migratory geese, just stopping by briefly to rest before traveling on to the Sub Arctic or Canada. They barely move on the water from sheer exhaustion and are mostly very quiet except when either arriving or departing. Some even try to catch a quick nap on the water by turning back their heads into their backs.
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However, the antics and dominance displays at Harlem Meer are mostly our local "resident" geese.
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And though there are roughly only a dozen (sometimes a few more if migratory geese temporarily stop to rest), it is my speculation that only two of the geese are actually intent upon nesting.
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If only Napoleon and Josephine knew that no eggs of Canada geese will be allowed to hatch in Central Park as they will be promptly oiled ("addled") by Geese Police.
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It seems the geese have figured out all the ways to deal with the challenges of nature --except those from humans. -- PCA
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