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They returned to the Central Park Reservoir in mid March with their three grown kids in tow.
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For about two weeks, a thoroughly blissful picture of family peace, unity and perfection emerged.
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And then suddenly, with the first buds of spring, Dad chillingly and forcefully turned on the children:
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"Begone with you now! You're all grown up and need to be on your own! Your mother and I claim our space. You are not to cross this line from now until the end of summer! OFF with you now! Go, go!"
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No, it was not so pretty a picture.
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The three kids pleaded and attempted to return again and again.
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But each time, they were met with loud, raucous and sometimes even physically combative rejection from their father.
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There was no compromising, begging or allowance.
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The children were vanquished.
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I of course knew then that Hansel and Greta had every intention of nesting once again.
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"Kicking last year's kids from the nest" in preparation for this spring's new bundles of joys is standard practice in the goose world. There are no such things as "boomerang kids" or parental basements in which to hang out. When Dad says to "go," the kids have to pack up their wings and leave. -- Pronto!
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In the beginning of their banishment, Hansel and Greta's offspring spent most of their time staying towards the middle or west sides of the Reservoir as their parents claimed the entire east side.
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But that too, became a problem when John and Mary set up nesting quarters at the north west side of the Reservoir in early April. Presumably, John then chased the three yearlings from their comfortable quarters -- essentially causing them to leave the Reservoir entirely.
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Since that time however, the three siblings have returned sporadically to the Reservoir, but they are especially careful to keep mainly to the far south west side of it -- far from the two nesting goose hens.
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When the rules are laid down, young geese have to respect and take them seriously. Ganders don't fool around -- especially those on guard and patrol duty for their nesting mates.
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Greta began to nest again on April 15th (tax day).
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But, she did not nest in the exact same (and well camouflaged) spot as last year.
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On the contrary, Greta chose to nest in the most public and visible place of the entire watercourse -- Adjacent to the East 90th Street public entrance!
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How crazy is that? I thought. Everyone can see her there!
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So, yes, I was surprised, but at the same time, not surprised.
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Hansel and Greta are very human-acclimated (having spent the last three springs and summers at the heavily trafficked Reservoir). It was therefore, not shocking that Greta might enjoy the constant flow of human attention and admirers. "Shy" is not a word that describes either the gregarious Greta or her devoted mate.
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And so, yes, both Hansel and Greta have been the subjects of hundreds of photographs and even more "Oooos, ahhhhs" and conversations over the past month. Admiration and concerns for the pair has not been in short supply.
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And all the excited anticipation came to a climax yesterday as four of the tiny goslings hatched from their eggs. (Greta was still sitting on at least one unhatched egg when last I saw her).
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Hansel proudly rushed by her side as John had rushed to Mary and their three newly hatched goslings the week before.
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So, we now have two new goose families at the Central Park Reservoir. Perhaps the warm winter in which food was never scarce helped ensure a bountiful spring.
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As for the three cast off children from last year?
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They will have to be content to be admirers from a distance for the time being.
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All attention now focused on the tiny new bundles of joy. -- PCA
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1 comment:
This great news, I saw Greta nesting and was worried.. Thanks for updating Patty. I don't get around to the reservoir as much as i used to, i cant wait to go see them.
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