Harry the (Goose-Like) Herring Gull -- Back Where he Belongs

Harry, yesterday morning, suddenly looking fit as a fiddle.

Harry just before he was issued "flying papers" yesterday by Hansel, daddy to the four goslings,

One of the goslings yesterday with mom. Dad was busy with other things then -- like chasing off a gull too long enjoying a pity party.

 

Some good news to report on this week of otherwise grim events (specifically, goose slaughters, gassings and shootings around country parks just prior to July 4th celebrations).

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The good news concerns Harry the Herring Gull who had been hanging with the Canada geese along the Central Park Reservoir rocks for the past week with what appeared to be, a broken wing.

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Apparently, the wing was not broken, but rather sprained or otherwise temporarily injured. Harry has made what seems, a miraculous recovery!

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Yesterday, when seeing Harry in his usual place, swimming and otherwise loafing with the Canada geese on the east side of the Reservoir, I was stunned to note his wing looked completely normal and back in place! (It had been hanging and dragging along the ground for a number of days.)

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At first, I considered the gull might not be Harry. But, when seeing him scurry along the rocks, I knew he had to be.  In the thousands of trips around the CP Reservoir over the years, I had never previously seen a gull on the rocks surrounding the water.  Gulls tend to fly around in the air or rest in the middle of the water. For some reason, they completely avoid the jagged, sloping rocks circling the Reservoir.

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It seemed Harry, however, had found some friends among the geese while sustaining and recuperating from a wing injury.

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Though sometimes scrapping with each other, the geese appeared to sense that Harry was somewhat compromised and represented no threat to them.  Though not exactly laying out a welcome mat, the geese peacefully accepted Harry's presence among their gaggles without so much as a "honk."

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That is, all except two of them.

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Hansel and Greta, the parents to the four goslings hatched last month were none too pleased about a gull wandering amongst their crowd -- and especially anywhere near their four babies.

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Yesterday morning, Harry wandered too "close" to the family, and suddenly, Hansel, the daddy gander rushed toward Harry with what was, in no uncertain terms, very clear and stern message:

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"You've  worn out your welcome here, Buddy!  The pity party is over and there's nothing wrong with your wing now.  BEGONE with you!  Get back to where you belong!"

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And with that, Harry suddenly uplifted himself from the water and both wings working perfectly, flew to the far west side of the Reservoir!

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In the distance, I could see Harry softly land amongst a flock of gulls -- the birds he's supposed to be with!

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Still molting and unable to fly, Hansel was not able to take off after Harry in the air, but it wasn't necessary.  He had perfectly done his job.

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"Good job, Hansel!" I laughed, suddenly realizing and feeling relief that Harry could fly and yes, was back where he belonged.

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There are of course, a couple of lessons that come out of this optimistic story.

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One is that not every injury to a wild animal is one that necessitates rescue.

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I have personally felt it important to adopt a "wait and observe" approach over several days or even a few weeks before taking decisive action to rescue a wild bird. (Exceptions being an animal grievously injured and bleeding, listless, lethargic, anorexic and seeking solitude.)  Some injuries, though initially appearing serious, can show remarkable ability to self-heal over time. 

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I recall for example, a Canada goose who showed up alone at Harlem Meer a couple of years ago. The goose was unable to walk with what was some type of foot or leg injury.  He hobbled around on one leg for a full week, but otherwise was healthy, of good spirits and eating heartily.

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Within ten days, the foot (or leg) completely healed, the goose was able to walk normally and flew out from the Meer, presumably to seek his mate or flock.  

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In the case of Harry, the wing did appear broken and from what I read on the Internet, the outlook seemed bleak for gulls with broken wings. But, apparently there are other kinds of wing injuries that may appear serious, but are actually fast healing.

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Perhaps it's similar to a human twisting an ankle or temporarily "pulling a back." Painful for a short while, but not serious.

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The other "lesson" in all of this might actually be to Harry.  He might have learned that by hanging with geese, there are sometimes good treats around and that the rocks ain't so bad after all.

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Just be careful not to get too close to "The Family" and their cranky and not-so-charitable dad.  -- PCA

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