tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25286822336194481922024-03-18T05:13:44.927-04:00Tales, Tails and Feathers of New York -- PCAThis blog is divided into two sections. The first deals with experiences in rescue/placement of homeless cats and dogs. The latter focuses on the treatment of wildlife in our city parks, specifically, Canada geese. These birds have recently been targeted by government officials for a 2/3rds "reduction" in population. Thousands have been cruelly rounded up and gassed in NY over the past several years. This is an issue that cries out for address and is covered substantially in this blog.PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.comBlogger1335125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-36811935521207645932019-12-26T02:04:00.001-05:002019-12-26T02:04:34.124-05:00Star of Wonder, Star of Night -- A Memorable Christmas<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dfRsc7CWBAAuEnVy4Kxb3h71BBMvLbjd94CEKAEJugNQSacxatpf8ZRLa6ry32AawwAM_zMx8WRa0ziFLjbJSlQ2cBXox0fUS9fN09u_LW922KTu3HyFIHp16uPzgioFdOmvUcDkoLf5/s1600/FB_IMG_1568059609849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="960" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dfRsc7CWBAAuEnVy4Kxb3h71BBMvLbjd94CEKAEJugNQSacxatpf8ZRLa6ry32AawwAM_zMx8WRa0ziFLjbJSlQ2cBXox0fUS9fN09u_LW922KTu3HyFIHp16uPzgioFdOmvUcDkoLf5/s320/FB_IMG_1568059609849.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It was both, one of the worst Christmases and one of the best.<br />
<br />
Once again, I was going to be spending a New York City, Christmas alone.
My daughter who lived in Buffalo in 2011 could not make it to the city due to work obligations and commitment to her husband's family who also lived in Buffalo.
My best friend had suddenly and recently passed away, other friends were with family and I was trying to "power through" unsettling and unpredictable episodes of vertigo.
<br />
True, I had my two dogs, Tina and Chance, and five cats to keep me company. But it's not exactly the same as family and friends on the most family-oriented holiday of the year. <br />
<br />
But I had other friends, too: <br />
<br />
The ducks and Canada geese of Central Park! <br />
<br />
One of my favorite things to do was walk to Harlem Meer each night with my dogs and bring treats to the waterfowl.
But since the summer geese had departed three months before with their babies, I hadn't seen many geese in a long time.<br />
<br />
I missed them desperately.<br />
<br />
The walk to Harlem Meer on Christmas Eve of 2011 with my dogs was quiet, peaceful, but lonely. There were few people around and though the skies were clear and star lit, the air was bitter cold and punishing. <br />
<br />
Trying to feel "in the Christmas spirit" I listed to Christmas songs over my radio headphones.
But Mariah Carey's pop version of "Joy to the World" as well as other, overly cheerful pop Christmas faire served only to plunge the mood further south.
<br />
<br />
"My God, she murdered an otherwise beautiful song!" I cynically thought to myself.<br />
<br />
After a mile and half walk, I finally began to approach Harlem Meer with the only thought to quickly feed the hungry mallards and get out. Everything about this particular walk on Christmas Eve night seemed unwelcoming. From the cutting winds barreling through me to Bruce Springsteen seemingly screaming on the radio, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." <br />
<br />
Why did I even come here tonight of all nights? I wondered.<br />
<br />
But as I started to descend the hill leading to Harlem Meer, I could suddenly hear the faint sound of honking in the far distance. <br />
<br />
Could it be? I wondered. Am I imagining things?<br />
<br />
And just at that moment, the music changed on the radio to a beautiful instrumental version of the Cristmas carol, "We Three Kings of Orient Are." <br />
<br />
"Star of wonder, star of night. <br />
Star of royal beauty bright<br />
Westward leading, still proceeding<br />
Guide us to thy perfect light." <br />
<br />
And with that, the joyous, excited honking from the skies suddenly became deafening as wave after wave of migratory geese from Canada began descending and landing gracefully upon the water. <br />
<br />
Stopped in my tracks to watch the wonder before me, tears welled and freely ran down my face.
But I didn't care as there was no one around to see -- just the excited mallards scurrying up to me for food and the weary geese settling in after an exhausting journey of thousands of miles. <br />
<br />
These were the geese who came to New York City each year to winter. They had to organize, cooperate and endure seemingly endless miles of treacherous journey and often brutal weather conditions. They would be here until March. <br />
<br />
But how "serendipity" was it that they chose this special Christmas Eve night to arrive to their destination? How seemingly miraculous was it that they flew through the night star lit skies and landed at the precise time of the "We Three Kings" carol?<br />
<br />
"Star of wonder, star of light<br />
Star of royal beauty bright<br />
Westward leading, still proceeding<br />
Guide us to thy perfect light" <br />
<br />
Even my two senior, small dogs were suddenly excited and voiced welcoming barks to the arriving geese!<br />
<br />
I suddenly felt particularly blessed that wondrous Christmas night.
All was peaceful, all was harmony and bliss. All was blessed.<br />
<br />
I don't remember how long I stayed at the Meer trying to extend the magic and beauty. I don't remember the other songs and carols that played. At that point all was beautiful and serene; a kind of heaven on earth.<br />
<br />
"Welcome, my beautiful geese. I have awaited you so long. You are truly God's creations!"<br />
<br />
Walking home that special Christmas Eve night, I neither felt the cold nor wind, nor scoffed at silly pop Christmas songs over the headphones. <br />
<br />
Finally, exiting the park and walking through Manhattan streets, I came across a large crowd of people entering St. Thomas Moore's Catholic church for Midnight Mass services.
But I had already had my spiritual (and very personal) Christmas service and my heart and soul were filled to the whole of my being. <br />
<br />
Little did I know then that "We Three Kings" would become my favorite Christmas carol and forever remind me of that special night. Nor that the geese would become for me, the special spirit animals that God wanted me to fight for, write about and protect. <br />
<br />
-------------PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-66009801313292950812019-11-27T22:12:00.000-05:002019-11-27T22:13:23.150-05:00Bucolic Paradise or Stepford Park? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzwhgFxCwFWxGz-_7THxVhBPK9Vc4RfAdNaU2_rusuaiCRuV69WgQPMqn8H6EAsWRVmdQezdxUN8GqtQwd_wJrFCoerSx0rcml27arN68Kt6EgtbfpCIcrw_i3MBwXA4ynpjJbCJnznb9/s1600/FB_IMG_1574910207620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1040" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzwhgFxCwFWxGz-_7THxVhBPK9Vc4RfAdNaU2_rusuaiCRuV69WgQPMqn8H6EAsWRVmdQezdxUN8GqtQwd_wJrFCoerSx0rcml27arN68Kt6EgtbfpCIcrw_i3MBwXA4ynpjJbCJnznb9/s320/FB_IMG_1574910207620.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I recall in the 1970's reading, "The Stepford Wives" by Ira Levin which was since made into two movies, neither of which lived up to the book. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The basic premise of the book was the seeking of "perfection" at the cost of flawed humanity. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">A young photographer and housewife is forced to question her sanity when moving into a "ideallic" Connecticut suburb where all the "happy housewives" act like robots under the control and manipulation of their husbands. All the homes, lawns and wives are seemingly "perfect" and yet something is horribly amiss. </span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">I was reminded of this book while watching the video below recently posted on the Central Park Facebook page. </span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156975658244482&id=37965424481</div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The nearly ten-minute video highlights Harlem Meer and all the big "renovation" plans for it to transform into a "bucolic" center for all manner of "recreational activities" from ice skating to swimming to boating to fishing. Although there is already an ice skating rink at the Meer, plans include turning the lake into further ice skating vehicle during the winter. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The smiles and wild exuberance of both, the interviewer and interviewee lead the video watcher to conclude that the newly renovated Harlem Meer will be nothing short of paradise itself. All we need are some angels to float down from the skies. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But for sure, birds won't be welcomed to float down from the skies -- especially waterbirds. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Despite numerous pans of Harlem Meer during the video, one is hard pressed to find even one goose, duck or any bird on the entire lake. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This represents drastic and dramatic change from only a few years ago when there would typically be up to 100 ducks and several dozen geese this time of year. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">What happened to them all in this "bucolic" and sanitized paradise? </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yes, it is all so "perfect." And everyone is so "happy." </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And that is exactly why I was reminded of an old book when watching the video and why I suggested in comment that Central Park change its name to "Stepford Park." </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But of course it is me who is the crazy one, isn't it? </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div dir="auto" id="composer_signature">
<div dir="auto" style="color: #575757; font-size: 85%;">
Sent from Samsung tablet</div>
</div>
PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-24888806273781379742019-11-22T12:14:00.001-05:002019-11-22T12:15:06.479-05:00"Central Park Wants No Geese At All."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xBTMAjLybNjfxWOy2d1UacvAXJq6SO2zWT7NrH-11NSC5qrEXrYPppPSzOxDq1K_mmr7EmTlH-GNAh7boxV0QIYP6nur1Ri2Bh4LRE0bwVxAgKRl3hvLOsf4Oft1pqxDaoNxQ80qHviG/s1600/FB_IMG_1571732427626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xBTMAjLybNjfxWOy2d1UacvAXJq6SO2zWT7NrH-11NSC5qrEXrYPppPSzOxDq1K_mmr7EmTlH-GNAh7boxV0QIYP6nur1Ri2Bh4LRE0bwVxAgKRl3hvLOsf4Oft1pqxDaoNxQ80qHviG/s320/FB_IMG_1571732427626.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"Central Park wants no geese at all."</span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Such was part of a conversation yesterday with Joe, an employee of "Geese Chasers" who is tasked with the job of harassing Canada geese out of Central Park. It does not matter if the geese are migratory or resident. All are unwelcomed in Central Park. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">To the company's credit, they at least return phone calls and are willing to discuss harassment practices. -- Unlike the Central Park Conservancy. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Since park observer and wildlife advocate, Laura Taylor, photographed the Geese Chasers' vehicle patrolling Central Park more than a month ago, we have repeatedly tried to get the Conservancy to confirm and discuss harassment of migratory birds in Central Park. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">But both, phone calls and letters have been met with assurances "someone will get back to you" but no one ever does. Phone messages are not returned and emails unresponded to. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">At least six people I know have experienced the Conservancy blowing off all questions and attempts to discuss continued harassment of geese in Central Park, as well as egg destruction and even destruction of food sources as occurred at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir this past summer in attempt to starve seven goslings that hatched. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We have, of course long suspected that it was the goal of not just Central Park, but New York City itself to "eliminate" all geese. It was not just a matter of "population control" (as is often claimed), but rather, extirpation. But now, finally, we had verbal confirmation of what was already known. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Annual mass killings of New York City geese by USDA "Wildlife Services," in addition to egg destruction in all city parks, in addition to relentless harassment -- even on migratory birds guarantees that "resident" Canada geese should be entirely eliminated in NYC within a few more years. We are 90% already there. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Companies like Geese Chasers, (though apparently good about returning phone messages) are also in the business of vilifying geese as much as possible in order to ensure growing business contracts. According to Geese Chasers, the geese "don't migrate anymore" (not true) and they destroy parks (also not true). </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">But Geese Chasers ought be careful about fear-mongering and demonizing geese too much as extermination campaigns are ultimately bad for business. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Apart from learning that Central Park wants all geese gone, other things of interest came out of the conversation with Joe yesterday: </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">When asking him why mallard populations have plummeted in Central Park if he is "only harassing geese," Joe speculated that mallards left due to "Salmonella outbreak" that killed turtles at Turtle Pond. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">But mallards have disappeared throughout Central Park and not just at Turtle Pond. And a sick Turtle was recently observed at the Pool in Central Park. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Nearly two years ago, a claimed Distemper outbreak apparently killed all but a few raccoons in 843 acre Central Park. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Are new diseases killing off remaining wildlife? Or, is something more nefarious occurring? </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Joe vehemently denied that Geese Chasers uses drones to harass the geese as reported by an eyewitness. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">"Oh," he laughed, "I wish I could use drones to film our work, but the dog is very fearful of them." </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">How does Joe know the dog is fearful of drones if he never used them? This struck me as "thou protests too much." </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The conversation with the gentleman from Geese Chasers soon deteriorated from there. I told Joe of my friend, Liliana, who is 76-years-old and whose only joy in life was enjoying the geese and ducks at the Boat Lake in Central Park. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">"She is so depressed now because she goes to the park and there is nothing." </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">"Some people get upset, but it has to be done," Joe said dismissively. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">"Wildlife-empy parks hurt people as well as geese!" I retorted. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But the truth is, our argument is not with Geese Chasers as much as it is with Central Park. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It is the decision of Central Park Conservancy to not just "harass" a few resident geese for population management, but to extirpate ALL remaining resident geese in Central Park (which is less than 40) as well as to terrorize and disrupt hundreds of migratory geese and ducks who briefly rest or winter at Central Park this time of year. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">That all of this wildlife intolerance is supposedly acceptable to New Yorkers does not speak well for our professed "concerns" for vanishing bird populations and animal extinctions throughout the world. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">All extinctions begin locally and somewhere. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> --------------- </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div dir="auto" id="composer_signature">
<div dir="auto" style="color: #575757; font-size: 85%;">
<br /></div>
</div>
PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-44191641138497412322019-10-17T11:16:00.000-04:002019-10-17T11:16:12.246-04:00The Sad and Sordid History of Bird Harassment in Central Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPw8MVrAyZQlcrA0OT6YTQPmvOT8fqpLdUAE4vDk0-ctexSfGejJgN_4UM0Pgb9SGprKksQNSUzjf8OqBihqVmg7ZI6eN2GoUzvbyHuP688seMAfGbkAakWvIkxM6InTqmU79JQMy04KCI/s1600/FB_IMG_1568494134475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPw8MVrAyZQlcrA0OT6YTQPmvOT8fqpLdUAE4vDk0-ctexSfGejJgN_4UM0Pgb9SGprKksQNSUzjf8OqBihqVmg7ZI6eN2GoUzvbyHuP688seMAfGbkAakWvIkxM6InTqmU79JQMy04KCI/s320/FB_IMG_1568494134475.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-KPeGqjac3AI0VpGV1gZ7hn5izaquH8eNfszVn35VKbGvurjPBVcdqglNXX9w2s12-bblSGroj6ow3g3ZLfVpiwPb_WLObx6zBsXsFvric2giTCJxIC729vPZXhVUMfDi9_5zGMxOv0Q/s1600/FB_IMG_1571205614789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="960" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-KPeGqjac3AI0VpGV1gZ7hn5izaquH8eNfszVn35VKbGvurjPBVcdqglNXX9w2s12-bblSGroj6ow3g3ZLfVpiwPb_WLObx6zBsXsFvric2giTCJxIC729vPZXhVUMfDi9_5zGMxOv0Q/s320/FB_IMG_1571205614789.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
In the fall of 2009, I complained to the Central Park Conservancy about Canada geese being harassed at Harlem Meer by a company called, "Geese Relief." </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br />I was told, "We are harassing the resident geese to make room for the migratory geese."<br /><br />(This explanation made little sense as most of the migratory geese either briefly rested at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir or wintered at Reservoir from December through March. Geese at Harlem Meer had nothing to do with them.)<br /><br />At least the Conservancy acknowledged the harassment. To its credit also, the Conservancy appeared to realize the importance of protecting migratory bird species as mandated by the federal Migratory Bird Act Treaty.<br /><br />These days, when questioned about harassment, Conservancy employees repeatedly deny that any harassment is being conducted. Either the Conservancy is engaging in activities that it fails to inform employees of, or the employees are told to lie to the public. Neither speaks well of an organization seeking support and trust of the public.<br /><br />I have recently been informed by a Central Park vendor that a new goose harassment company, "Geese Chasers," has been using dogs for months to harass water birds from Central Park lakes and ponds at night. (See photo of vehicle.) Another eyewitness reported seeing Geese Chasers use DRONES to "attack" geese on the water early one morning.<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
This helps explain why duck numbers have plummeted throughout Central Park over the past year. When questioned why ducks were disappearing in Central Park, employees have consistently misinformed the public by claiming the "ducks just fly away." Ducks that had been at the park for years didn't just up and "fly away." They were harassed and terrorized into leaving; their habitat cruelly banished and denied to them.<br /><br />It must be noted that it is nearly impossible to harass one species of bird without terrifying and chasing out others. I personally witnessed "Geese Relief" hurling a heavy object attached to a rope on ice one night at Harlem Meer many years ago to scare away geese. EVERY bird that was on the ice and in water panicked and took off vertically for the skies. These included Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Coots, Swans and some smaller ducks. <br /><br />There was not one bird left on the lake and many of these had been migratory, as it was December.<br /><br />The following day I complained to the Conservancy and Geese Relief was immediately fired as they did not have permission to use anything but dogs for harassment.<br /><br />The following spring Geese Police was hired and utilized up until the last year or two.<br /><br />I don't know what happened with Geese Police, but the new company seems to be using methods (drones?) that are terrorizing far more than geese from Central Park. Even birds who had been at CP for years are now gone.<br /><br />Since there are few resident geese (or ducks) left on CP lakes and ponds to harass, the question becomes, "What is the purpose of goose harassment this time of year?"<br /><br />To harass MIGRATORY birds? -- The very birds the Conservancy claimed ten years ago to be trying to "make room for"?<br /><br />On this note, it is vital to find out if harassment is being conducted at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir as that is where most of the migratory birds briefly rest or winter. But it is difficult to get honest answer from an organization that admits to no harassment at all. This history of recent lies by the Conservancy is extremely unbecoming to an organization relying on public support.<br /><br />In recent months we have learned that 30% of the world's bird populations have disappeared over the past 50 years. Loss of habitat and heavy pesticide use are the leading causes of animal and bird extinctions. <br /><br />Please don't tell us there are "plenty" or "too many" Canada geese. We used to have hundreds of millions of Passenger pigeons. (There are 3.8 million Canada geese.) Any species is vulnerable to extinction when humans declare "war" on them and banish them from natural habitats.<br /><br />The Central Park Conservancy of a few years ago did not conduct goose harassment during the winter and it did not knowingly harass migratory birds.<br /><br />Why is it doing these things now and why is it repeatedly lying to the public (and employees?) about these unsavory and cruel activities?<br /><br />The public deserves honest answers as the truth eventually reveals itself anyway. The persistent denials and lies are insult to intelligence and unbefitting an organization of international reputation. </div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
Indeed, the denials and lies are also the real reasons why a million species now face extinction. We need not look to the far corners of the globe for answers. We need only look at -- and question the actions of our own local parks.<br /><br /><br />Such senseless and unpardonable tragedy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Sent from Samsung tablet<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div dir="auto" id="composer_signature">
<div dir="auto" style="color: #575757; font-size: 85%;">
Sent from Samsung tablet</div>
</div>
PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-87418734298557343692019-08-29T06:17:00.000-04:002019-08-29T06:17:59.541-04:00The Miracle Seven -- Despite Impossibe Odds, Reservoir Goslings Healthy and Flying<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS0Lxx3OOmQRLY5MSXaoycmkyxCkK28wIyyO6V2QoU_ufFPvM1Xmc7b3GLDOer1jjA49LmLH-Ca9GSfZI9xkYJhOWAFi9CcYYDEj4cdOR42OxJOqZCzRAvfr3f5BS1by2zSkLvM07K4su/s1600/FB_IMG_1567059590310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS0Lxx3OOmQRLY5MSXaoycmkyxCkK28wIyyO6V2QoU_ufFPvM1Xmc7b3GLDOer1jjA49LmLH-Ca9GSfZI9xkYJhOWAFi9CcYYDEj4cdOR42OxJOqZCzRAvfr3f5BS1by2zSkLvM07K4su/s320/FB_IMG_1567059590310.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div dir="auto">
</div>
<div dir="auto">
One of the Miracle Seven now at Harlem Meer. (Laura Taylor) </div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">may seem overly dramatic to refer to seven juvenile geese as, "The Miracle Seven," but it isn't. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">For one matter, it is a small miracle that the goslings hatched at all at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park. New York City is in contract with USDA Wildlife Services for Canada goose egg destruction throughout all five boroughs. </span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">Two other nests with goose eggs were destroyed in Central Park this past spring. The only reason the eggs at the Reservoir were unharmed was because agents from WS were "not able to gain access" to the Reservoir rocks in order destroy the eggs there. -- This from a USDA WS report. (DEP staff must have been out to lunch the day WS showed up to egg-kill.) </span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">Of the ten goslings who ultimately hatched at the Reservoir in May, three perished within the first few weeks. The deaths were likely due to malnutrition as vegetation is routinely destroyed along the Reservoir rocks, leaving scant foliage and grass for wildlife to eat there. </span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">Then, in July, with goslings barely two-months-old, the vegetation was again demolished, leaving nothing but a patch of Poison Ivy -- something inedible for growing goslings and molting geese, unable to fly. </span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">The goslings were doomed and their adult, flightless parents were also in danger of starvation. </span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Park Rangers and the Central Park Conservancy consistently lied to concerned citizens calling about the deplorable cruelty, claiming that frail, flightless goslings were able to "go over fences" to eat grass on the outside of the Reservoir wall. The severely undersized and skinny goslings were barely able to navigate the rocks, let alone fly over walls and fences at only 7-weeks of age!</span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Fortunately, those familiar with gosling capabilities (as well as the long history of lies from the Central Park Conservancy and some Park Rangers) didn't buy into the outrageous fabrication and formed teams of organized and reliable feeders to ensure the seven remaining goslings did not starve to death -- as 8 of 9 did the previous summer. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">With some people feeding twice a day and naturalist, Laura Taylor regularly feeding and documenting with photos and videos, the frail, under-sized goslings suddenly began to grow and thrive. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It took nearly a month, but they finally filled out, developed flight feathers and began to look normal for their age. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">We are happy to finally report that all three families were able to fly out from the Reservoir over the past two weeks (on schedule!) and are currently feeding and expanding flight lessons for goslings at Harlem Meer in Central Park! </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It appears that some mallards have joined the geese at the Meer -- something nice to see considering how water bird-empty the Meer has been for the past several months (and most Central Park lakes and ponds still are). </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But before we break out any champagne bottles, let us consider the cruel actions of all New York City parks towards struggling wildlife and particularly against Canada geese. Deliberate starvation campaigns are especially despicable and unpardonable. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Already Central Park Conservancy has put up new "No Feeding" signs near the site geese and ducks are currently staying at the Meer and it's almost a given that they will soon send out dogs and drones to "harass" the few dozen water birds from the lake. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">No action is too low for them. One park goer has even reported the Conservancy spraying and killing a hive of bees at the Ramble this past week. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The war on wildlife is in full swing at all NYC parks. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">That is precisely why it is no exaggeration or dramatics to refer to the surviving Central Park goslings as the "Miracle Seven." </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">They survived the impossible odds of New York City's perpetual war on them (but not without the heroic efforts of people like Laura Taylor and others). </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Indeed, the seven goslings are likely the ONLY goslings to hatch and survive in all of New York City this summer. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;">That is not something to celebrate as much as mourn. </span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div dir="auto" id="composer_signature">
<div dir="auto" style="color: #575757; font-size: 85%;">
Sent from Samsung tablet</div>
</div>
PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-38208800896488162162019-07-30T17:42:00.000-04:002019-07-30T17:42:33.505-04:00Urban Parks: Entertainment Centers or Nature Retreats? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARVoxfcrNCMtyV54rzZEVjRU909hyphenhyphenP1jyIqOFYu5Cp65HdjRzsSM2CoyFHRSFUgdYpKcynLI_MCFV-I7yX6HAykOhsOVvxlEfXKw97lWLKZNK8vhcZyLGd9RBQPgVtNxG4kc8FmTvhuEz/s1600/FB_IMG_1561916483933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARVoxfcrNCMtyV54rzZEVjRU909hyphenhyphenP1jyIqOFYu5Cp65HdjRzsSM2CoyFHRSFUgdYpKcynLI_MCFV-I7yX6HAykOhsOVvxlEfXKw97lWLKZNK8vhcZyLGd9RBQPgVtNxG4kc8FmTvhuEz/s320/FB_IMG_1561916483933.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago, I had opportunity to briefly revisit New York City (with my daughter and son-in-law) after having moved upstate a year and a half ago. The goal was to revisit certain places that still held nostalgic meaning to me -- especially, Central Park.<br />
<br />
While the car trips to and back were scenic and lovely and visits to old neighborhood places were warm and unchanged, I can't say the same for Central Park where the obvious changes were as far from warm and tender as bone-chilling blizzard is from a spring day.<br />
<br />
In short, the trip back to New York City essentially destroyed any and all sense of nostalgia I may have held. It was, in a word, depressing -- especially the visit to Central Park.<br />
<br />
My daughter and I were taken aback and shocked when venturing into Harlem Meer.<br />
<br />
Beautiful memories of a lake once thriving with mallards, geese and even a couple of swans was replaced with the stark and harsh reality of a completely waterbird-empty lake. Despite my daughter and I walking around the entire lake, we were only able to find (and count) eight mallards and one lonely Canada goose -- all resting quietly under a tree near the Dana Center.<br />
<br />
We suspect the one (human friendly) goose is "Squally" who had to be rescued from the Meer last winter when she was suffering from emaciation and lead. Apparently, after recovery at the Wild Bird Fund, Squally was released back to an empty lake with no other geese.<br />
<br />
From Harlem Meer, my daughter and I went to the Central Park Reservoir where we fed the seven surviving goslings and their families. The only reason these goslings are still alive after their food sources were deliberately destroyed at the Reservoir in early July, is the commitment and organized effort of a number of people to feed them on a daily basis.<br />
<br />
Though their growth rate was slow compared to goslings of similar age in other locations, the Central Park goslings appear to finally be doing better now as new vegetation is growing.<br />
<br />
As there were no other goslings in Central Park this year or last, it was particularly important to save these seven as they represent the possible future for any Central Park resident geese at all. The babies are by no means "out of the woods" yet, but the future appears a bit more hopeful for the Reservoir seven than it did a few weeks ago.<br />
<br />
But if we can feel a glimmer of hope for the few remaining geese in Central Park, it has otherwise been a brutal, terrible summer for Canada Geese across the country.<br />
<br />
2,200 geese were rounded up from Denver, Colorado parks and sent for gassing. Similar killings occurred in New Jersey, New York City, Alabama, Delaware and other locations around the nation.<br />
<br />
Though the dreaded molt season has finally ended and geese are in the air again, there is truly no urban place in the country geese can be considered "safe" and not in the crosshairs of human wrath.<br />
<br />
The first time when leaving New York City, there was an unspoken wish of wanting to return to it one day. But this time when leaving, there was no such wish; on the contrary, I could not wait to get back to Cortland where "my" park geese are neither harassed nor "culled" nor their eggs destroyed.<br />
<br />
But then, my local park isn't striving to be an outdoor version of Madison Square Garden -- as too many urban parks appear to be doing these days.<br />
<br />
Rather than places of "peaceful retreat to connect reflectively with nature," more and more urban parks are transforming themselves into places of endless human activities, as well as entertainment and sports venues.<br />
<br />
But such is incompatible with nature and especially any urban wildlife and birds.<br />
<br />
Present and future generations will have to decide if they want urban parks to be places of "peaceful retreat to connect with nature" (which was the original intent and purpose of Central Park) or tourist attractions and entertainment venues complete with amusement rides, fireworks, concerts, movies, sporting competitions and shows.<br />
<br />
You can't have both.<br />
<br />
The battle for nature and wildlife is virtually lost in New York City Parks where even sight of common mallards can now be counted on one hand.<br />
<br />
The question is, has the New York City "model" now spread to urban parks around the country?<br />
<br />
Judging from this summer's goose kill numbers in nationwide urban parks, that appears to be so.<br />
<br />
Out with nature and wildlife. In with the concerts, movies, weekly marathons, and fireworks.<br />
<br />
No better way to "connect with nature" than to wage war on it apparently.<br />
<br />
And yet so few seem to realize or even notice.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-69210092664531291122019-06-13T03:30:00.000-04:002019-06-13T03:30:58.612-04:00Central Park Reservoir Goslings in Trouble (Deja-Vu)?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqADFTkzxJn-f1nLgAAXuv2629lPjL2_lT46YjEmn1KFmplw_dXA1-C1Yu2xJZt_OzztvJuPrFRimDrPQ93fb7jxta5cAnVI22pQVcKdviBhbeu7wRaK-YbsZ_wQb-N42PXr3rkt1k0ZT/s1600/IMG_6179-751535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqADFTkzxJn-f1nLgAAXuv2629lPjL2_lT46YjEmn1KFmplw_dXA1-C1Yu2xJZt_OzztvJuPrFRimDrPQ93fb7jxta5cAnVI22pQVcKdviBhbeu7wRaK-YbsZ_wQb-N42PXr3rkt1k0ZT/s320/IMG_6179-751535.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's one year since 8 of 9 Reservoir goslings in Central Park mysteriously perished -- one month after they hatched.<br />
<br />
As of last week, there were once again 9 goslings at the Reservoir and once again they were nearing the one month mark.<br />
<br />
As of yesterday, there are only 8 goslings. <br />
<br />
Too much this year seems ominous repeat of last year.<br />
<br />
Up until almost a month ago, the landscape surrounding the Reservoir was almost entirely devoid of foliage and vegetation.<br />
And while some plants have been allowed to grow back, the question remains, is it too little, too late?<br />
<br />
Reality is, that the Central Park goslings are unusually small and scrawny for their age -- especially compared to goslings in Cortland, NY (where I currently live) who are only a couple of weeks older, but far bigger and more developed.<br />
<br />
At least one set of Reservoir goose parents (John and Mary) are highly experienced in successfully raising young and yet they have already lost two of their four goslings.<br />
<br />
The other two sets of newer parents (each with three goslings) appear to be struggling to hang on with their babies.<br />
<br />
It doesn't look good for any of them. Failure to thrive is an almost sure predictor of early death.<br />
<br />
I don't know how many people read this blog or how many might live near the Central Park Reservoir.<br />
<br />
This blog post is a plea to any close to Central Park to please bring supplemental food to the remaining goslings! This could be in the forms of cracked corn, duck pellets, dry cat food, peanuts, peas or whole wheat bread or crackers. --- Anything to prevent them from fading away and dying.<br />
<br />
If you can only get to the park once a week or so, consider spreading extra food along the rocks for the goose families to eat later.<br />
<br />
As of yesterday, the families were reported to be together at the North East side of the Reservoir. Hopefully, they stay together for easier feeding and greater protection.<br />
<br />
Considering all the anti-feeding propaganda in New York City, as well as the new park "rule" about to be implemented this summer, it behooves one to make this kind of plea.<br />
<br />
But it really does appear at this point, to be a matter of life and death, or, in other words, a very sad deja-vu.<br />
<br />
<br />
.................<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-66089871452527861092019-06-06T00:54:00.000-04:002019-06-06T00:55:57.076-04:00"You Can't Always Get What You Want....."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7Pxu1z2kMwO3bzmeOkZ3JHnnHPx0nd-oW6g4NgFBtI5ULLuiXaXOsj70YQJpcxskjmdNvHrn08JIQnHyOswec44TEE-Di1F4K2defvj2uKwLyFxT2uCYxeYop_HS6wY5GuLyDj2Lk9SD/s1600/FB_IMG_1559710068942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="736" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7Pxu1z2kMwO3bzmeOkZ3JHnnHPx0nd-oW6g4NgFBtI5ULLuiXaXOsj70YQJpcxskjmdNvHrn08JIQnHyOswec44TEE-Di1F4K2defvj2uKwLyFxT2uCYxeYop_HS6wY5GuLyDj2Lk9SD/s320/FB_IMG_1559710068942.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
"But if you try sometimes, you find, you get what you need."<br />
<br />
More than once in life I have known the lyrics of an old Rolling Stones tune to play out in real life.<br />
<br />
Many of us worked hard to try and defeat the proposed Wildlife Feeding Ban in New York City Parks.<br />
<br />
But barring some last minute miracle, it is being adopted anyway.<br />
<br />
This is certainly disappointing news. Not only is the new "rule" completely unnecessary, but if aggressively enforced, it will punish the few kind-hearted people feeding hungry birds and squirrels in parks for acts of mercy.<br />
<br />
It's easy during times like this to think one's efforts in what seems, a "losing cause" have been wasted; our words went unheard, our pleas for compassion, ignored.<br />
<br />
We were invisible.<br />
<br />
But sometimes we have to look beyond the obvious to see the whole picture as things are not always as they seem.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, the Central Park Facebook page put up a video:<br />
<br />
https://www.facebook.com/37965424481/posts/10156541872004482/<br />
<br />
It show workers attached to harnesses cleaning up some of the debris tossed onto the Jackie Onassis Reservoir.<br />
<br />
The video appears to have recently been filmed in early April as there are Cherry Blossoms on trees.<br />
<br />
This is shortly after the time a number of us posted photos of some of the garbage floating in Reservoir water, as well as a barren landscape in which all of the foliage had been chopped down and removed.<br />
<br />
Roxanne Delgado of the Bronx Animal Rights Electors had made it a point to highlight the Reservoir as example of destroying natural food sources for park wildlife, while at the same time failing to clean up garbage.<br />
<br />
It seems some people in the NYC Parks Department and Central Park Conservancy finally listened.<br />
<br />
But even more important than cleaning up garbage alone, was allowing the vegetation and greenery to grow again.<br />
<br />
And over the past six or seven weeks that finally appears to be happening again.<br />
<br />
The vegetation and foliage is a critical food source for growing goslings and other park wildlife and waterfowl.<br />
<br />
Over the past month, 10 goslings hatched at the Reservoir.<br />
<br />
To this point, only one has perished.<br />
<br />
It's too early to say whether the remaining 9 goslings will survive long enough to fly out of the Reservoir with their parents in August.<br />
But matters appear far more promising than last year when 8 of 9 Reservoir goslings perished, most likely due to malnutrition.<br />
<br />
At least this year, there is growing and robust plant life at the Reservoir, prompting one of the Central Park workers to remark, "We are busy keeping everything nice and green."<br />
<br />
So, on the surface, it appears we lost the battle to protect city park wildlife and the people who feed birds and squirrels.<br />
<br />
But while partially true and disappointing, the larger battle might have actually been won -- that of protecting and even providing natural food sources for the wildlife of NYC parks.<br />
<br />
As for the question of people supporting hungry wildlife during harsh winters when snow covers the ground and watercourses are iced over, we have to hope that no sane Ranger or cop is going to ticket or haul off to jail, some elderly or disabled person or child tossing bread to a hungry duck or squirrel.<br />
<br />
Were that to occur, it would make a tantalizing front page story for the New York Post or Daily News and certainly reflect badly on the Mayor of NYC as well as the city itself.<br />
<br />
I said from the beginning that the proposed rule banning wildlife feeding was a "solution seeking a problem."<br />
<br />
Any photos showing "arrest" of a senior citizen or tourist for wildlife feeding would indeed be a problem that a city already beset by real crimes would not need.<br />
<br />
But that is the choice the city of New York has made. It will now have to live with that decision -- and any consequences from it.<br />
<br />
As for those of us who fought against the proposed ban, no, we did not get what we wanted.<br />
<br />
But we hopefully got what was needed for NYC park wildlife to still survive and hopefully thrive.<br />
<br />
Only time will tell for sure.<br />
<br />
But for sure, it is never wasted time to fight for what is right -- even if not realizing the fruits of those labors at the time.<br />
<br />
<br />
.......................<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-89757012041171111352019-05-24T04:52:00.000-04:002019-05-24T04:52:17.245-04:00Summer Rerun?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQ4HuZcnOftO69EiWYWVRu2zSdQQpUTCojPaiGi2vvGj8xzg5cd15xIiwmewJmFEVWOC_MQ3-NpkiDC1KNKcGeUADxUbjwrjILUE7UwT_uPuLKdZq3N_hOJpH9_DKwxXuNA4CKsqcqhAT/s1600/received_482683335803600.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="747" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQ4HuZcnOftO69EiWYWVRu2zSdQQpUTCojPaiGi2vvGj8xzg5cd15xIiwmewJmFEVWOC_MQ3-NpkiDC1KNKcGeUADxUbjwrjILUE7UwT_uPuLKdZq3N_hOJpH9_DKwxXuNA4CKsqcqhAT/s320/received_482683335803600.jpeg" width="190" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Last summer was rough for the wildlife of Central Park.<br />
<br />
More than 300 Central Park raccoons sickened and died.<br />
<br />
Eight of the nine goslings at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir weakend and perished before a month old. (These had been the only goslings allowed to hatch in all of Central Park last year; thus only one survived in an 843 acre park.)<br />
<br />
Both, mallard and goose numbers were down in Central Park during the summer molt, though the reasons for that are not clear.<br />
<br />
We are not yet into the summer of 2019.<br />
<br />
But so far, signs are that it will mostly be repeat of 2018 and possibly worse.<br />
<br />
Once again, the only goslings allowed to hatch are seven at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir. (Other geese nested, but no other hatchlings.) Already, at least one of the goslings has perished over the past week.<br />
<br />
And while reports and photos are scattered, they sadly seem to suggest surviving goslings are slow in growth -- or at least compared to goslings in other areas.<br />
<br />
Goslings in Cortland, NY (where I live) hatched a week earlier than Central Park goslings, but they are nearly twice their size.<br />
Part of me wants to think that maybe geese in upstate NY are bigger and more robust as we have much harsher winters than NYC, but that is probably denial.<br />
<br />
I am concerned for the goslings at the Reservoir -- but desperately hoping I am wrong. Perhaps I am just needlessly worrying due to past negative history in Central Park.<br />
<br />
Certainly, all NYC parks are hostile to Canada geese.<br />
And sadly the hostility is no longer limited to geese alone.<br />
<br />
Although the city has made no official announcement yet, the Wildlife Feeding Ban appears to be a done deal.<br />
<br />
The Parks Department pushed it and the Mayor supports it.<br />
<br />
Bronx Animal Rights Electors is planning another rally in a couple of weeks at City Hall, but unless Roxanne can attract a substantial crowd of protesters to the ban or there is serious media coverage, the ban will go into effect this summer.<br />
<br />
So, in addition to the removal of many natural food sources (nut, seed and fruit-bearing trees; vegetation), disbursement of pesticides and employment of wildlife harassment services such as "Geese Police," supplemental food sources as represented by human feeders will also be "removed" through banning and criminalization.<br />
<br />
It's hard to imagine a summer much worse for NYC park wildlife than what was last summer.<br />
<br />
But this upcoming summer might be it.<br />
<br />
Two weeks ago, I asked if most New Yorkers really want wildlife-empty parks?<br />
<br />
I don't know that New Yorkers actually "want" parks with little to no wildlife.<br />
<br />
But nor do they seem to object.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the only thing necessary for misfortune to prosper is good people doing nothing.<br />
<br />
<br />
.......................................<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-70541894041870526342019-05-14T16:43:00.000-04:002019-05-14T16:43:03.618-04:00Do New Yorkers Want Wildlife-Empty Parks? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihtzK9V9CLMYgET34e-MT0lQZw8f6WpN9Yss9twI7-8QSXBLhNLQIlzZWm3zMXikBIOalbTw5vG-ON4uUjn11iuZ_3k-TH6PpwX66v3KtmTDYEpkcNT9BxI8vsMu7v1Vuw5tQOB4IYAdF/s1600/received_646931765771142.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihtzK9V9CLMYgET34e-MT0lQZw8f6WpN9Yss9twI7-8QSXBLhNLQIlzZWm3zMXikBIOalbTw5vG-ON4uUjn11iuZ_3k-TH6PpwX66v3KtmTDYEpkcNT9BxI8vsMu7v1Vuw5tQOB4IYAdF/s320/received_646931765771142.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Do New Yorkers want wildlife-empty parks?<br />
<br />
Apparently, they do. Either that, or most didn't know about or understand the long-term implications and goals of the proposed Wildlife Feeding Ban that the Mayor has signed in recent days.<br />
<br />
Roxanne Delgado of the Bronx Electors for Animal Rights met with park officials last week. Ms. Delgado had worked hard to document a case of why the feeding ban should be rejected, but the minds she was speaking to were already closed. There was no discussion or question. It was a meeting only to show there was a meeting; a mere formality. Just like the formalities of public comments and hearing.<br />
<br />
But in the end, it didn't matter what the people had to say as there simply weren't enough of them.<br />
<br />
It didn't matter, any of the research, documentations or photos of suffering, disappearing and dying park wildlife. It didn't even matter, the recent report from the UN, stating that one million plant and animal species now face extinction.<br />
<br />
What mattered was how to turn city parks into mere extention of the city itself, complete with outdoor gyms, concerts, food fests, marathons, movies and fireworks. (Indeed, the only things missing are roller coasters, but perhaps they are in the works.)<br />
<br />
What mattered was how to further "discourage" or force out any wildlife still remaining in city parks. First, remove natural food sources. Secondly, heavy use of pesticides and insecticides. Thirdly, criminalize alternate food sources as represented by human support of wildlife.<br />
<br />
This past Saturday, Ms. Delgado received a call from the Mayor's office, informing her that Mayor deBlasio had just signed off on the feeding ban. All that remains now is its actual adoption and implementation.<br />
<br />
https://www.facebook.com/326231281077113/posts/825119967854906/<br />
<br />
When Ms. Delgado asked how park wildlife will survive now that most natural food sources have been removed and alternate food sources banned, she was told, "The wildlife will find other places for food and nesting."<br />
<br />
This reaffirms what an Audubon (and ban supporter) representative told Ms. Delgado when asked the same question more than a month ago:<br />
<br />
"The wildlife can go to Long Island to find food."<br />
<br />
Apparently, birds, squirrels, raccoons, and waterfowl are not welcomed anywhere in NYC.<br />
<br />
Does that mean New Yorkers will have to buy tickets for the Long Island Rail Road or Amtrak if they wish to see any wildlife?<br />
<br />
Or does it mean they will have to buy zoo tickets or sign up for special $15.00 "tours" with wildlife "experts" with powerful binoculars to find a warbler or chipmunk in the park?<br />
<br />
It all reminds of an old Joni Mitchell song:<br />
<br />
"They cut down the trees and put them in a tree museum.<br />
And they charge the people a dollar and a half just to see them."<br />
<br />
The question is, is this what New Yorkers signed up for? Is this what New Yorkers really want? <br />
<br />
"Don't it always go to show? That you don't know what you've got till it's gone? "<br />
<br />
If not, then they have to find way to let their representatives and media know before ban is fully and actually enacted. Neither Roxanne nor I can do it for them.<br />
<br />
"They pave paradise and put up a parking lot."<br />
<br />
<br />
. .................................................<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-30484014093542682019-05-13T01:48:00.001-04:002019-05-13T01:48:47.896-04:00Reflections on Mother's Day<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBhCJaqCIwLumkc7D7YFKohuPIKX2Ldj_rlMzT_3XFqefx2xFtSvi_6POs5Urz8sCHfxwsZul1n-vYGS6507jfMTTZ3YIma_5eo1YNTtt-DJF45n7pMJK8ll2C4d09zgktZJtDe9lb4IJ/s1600/FB_IMG_1554162087448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="604" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBhCJaqCIwLumkc7D7YFKohuPIKX2Ldj_rlMzT_3XFqefx2xFtSvi_6POs5Urz8sCHfxwsZul1n-vYGS6507jfMTTZ3YIma_5eo1YNTtt-DJF45n7pMJK8ll2C4d09zgktZJtDe9lb4IJ/s320/FB_IMG_1554162087448.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's said that when a daughter marries, a mother doesn't lose a daughter; she gains a son.<br />
<br />
But when my daughter married ten years ago, I felt I just lost a daughter.<br />
<br />
It didn't help that we lived at opposite sides of the country. Phone calls became infrequent. Visits even fewer; two or three times a year, if lucky.<br />
<br />
About four years ago, Tara and Ben moved to NY state from Utah.<br />
My daughter and I were finally in the same state, but still more than four hours away by bus or car.<br />
<br />
Matters improved little. I rarely saw Tara and had no communication at all with my son-in-law.<br />
He was a stranger to me.<br />
<br />
Then, last year, I decided to move from what had been "home" for my entire life -- New York City -- to upstate NY.<br />
<br />
The decision was not an easy one. On the contrary, it was difficult.<br />
<br />
I considered myself an independent woman, who, despite gripes about NYC, loved it. It was after all, my "home." I had never wanted to live elsewhere. I loved my neighborhood, I loved Central Park, I was comfortable in my apartment which contained so many memories of my life and those of my daughter growing up.<br />
<br />
But New York City is an expensive place to live -- especially when one is older and retired. I was bleeding money and resources and had to live on a tight budget.<br />
<br />
I was also dismayed with many of the changes I was seeing in my neighborhood, as well as beloved, Central Park. More and more high rises going up, more crowds and more over-priced, trendy stores. And it seemed the natural wildlife of Central Park was being pressured and "pushed out" to make room for and prioritize all manner of human activities and distractions.<br />
<br />
Finally, I suffered a painful three-month bout of Shingles in 2017 that affected my right arm and left me struggling to accomplish even simple tasks. I realized for the first time, I was vulnerable.<br />
<br />
But even more than these challenges, I mostly missed my daughter.<br />
<br />
I missed our relationship -- and wondered where it has gone?<br />
<br />
And so, as hard as it was -- and with the full help and support of Tara -- I finally bit the bullet and packed my belongings and cats and moved to Cortland, NY in early 2018. My daughter had found and helped secure a lovely apartment (close to shopping), complete with balcony, outdoor pool and other amenities and she drove to NYC to help me move.<br />
<br />
I remember one moment, as the car headed towards the Lincoln Tunnel to exit NYC (perhaps for the last time for me), I thought, "I am not leaving NYC as much as it left me."<br />
<br />
I did not look back.<br />
<br />
I have been in Cortland a little more than a year now. It's a lovely, small city with less than 100,000 people. It's simple, unpretentious and in many ways, seems a throw-back to the 1950's. It lacks the glitter and "excitement" of NYC, but I wasn't seeking those things anyway during later years.<br />
<br />
But the best thing about living in Cortland is the proximity to my daughter and son-in-law who live in nearby Ithaca. The days of holidays alone are gone as well as worrying how to lift something heavy or get to shopping outside of walking distance.<br />
<br />
But even better than all this, is finally being able to watch a movie or TV show with my daughter and discussing afterwards and getting to know my son-in-law as a real human being and not just the person "who took my daughter from me."<br />
<br />
The truth is, we are not parents for just 18 years. We are parents for life.<br />
<br />
And sometimes, we have to be willing to meet our kids halfway; give as well as expect. Listen as well as talk.<br />
<br />
And so yes, it may have taken ten years and it may have required some hard lessons for me, but it is true that when your daughter marries, you don't lose a daughter; you gain a son.<br />
<br />
You just have to willing to meet both in the middle.<br />
<br />
<br />
........ ............ .........<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-16802875343991671022019-05-10T18:41:00.001-04:002019-05-10T18:41:46.275-04:00Greta's Dilemma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2aItbUsEtbUaQgd7Ku1tewXsEqqwmdWsTOanRqwjnRuSvN5PjkocO-03lHgwNFt2kkCI29g18Au17lYsljF3b2BNAvzF_SWQOq_0e3Hz6ReT56YmRarfIaqLwAaGWpna-CH0vlRQP-5I/s1600/IMG_5803-751242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="479" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2aItbUsEtbUaQgd7Ku1tewXsEqqwmdWsTOanRqwjnRuSvN5PjkocO-03lHgwNFt2kkCI29g18Au17lYsljF3b2BNAvzF_SWQOq_0e3Hz6ReT56YmRarfIaqLwAaGWpna-CH0vlRQP-5I/s320/IMG_5803-751242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There is both, good and bad news regarding the three nesting geese at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park.<br />
<br />
The good news is that two of the three successfully hatched goslings this week. Mary, on the north side of Reservoir, produced four healthy babies and Caroline, on the south side, three.<br />
<br />
Caroline and her mate, Charlie are new to nesting at the Reservoir. It is speculated that she is likely one of the original daughters of Greta from several years ago. (Female geese choose nesting sites and it is usually a location close to or actually where they themselves hatched.)<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the news for Greta herself isn't so good. Her eggs failed to hatch and even more mysteriously, completely vanished.<br />
In fact, there is nothing at nesting site to show that a nest was ever there. No downy feathers, twigs or fragments of shells remain. The area nearly appears cleaned up.<br />
<br />
One might normally suspect human meddling or interference under circumstances like this. But in this case, it's hard to know for sure or even guess.<br />
<br />
Both, Laura Taylor (our reporter and photographer on the ground) and myself were concerned about Greta from the get-go.<br />
<br />
Unlike Mary and Caroline who both, "calorie loaded" elsewhere before coming to the Reservoir to nest, Greta and her mate, Hansel returned to the plant-barren Reservoir in March. With so little grass and foliage there, it's questionable that Greta built up enough necessary fat reserves to successfully nest and produce viable goslings.<br />
<br />
The other matter of concern was Greta's behavior. Unlike past years, Greta's nest this year was sparse with little down and nesting materials. Granted, there was little around her with which to build an ornate nest, but the lack of feather down was unusual for Greta.<br />
<br />
Could it be that Greta was discouraged or pessimistic after losing all five goslings last year at a month-old?<br />
<br />
Impossible to answer that question as we just don't know enough about animals' emotions, memories or long term response to trauma. For whatever reason, it simply appeared that Greta's heart was not into nesting this year as was the case in the past.<br />
<br />
But regardless of the reasons why Greta's eggs failed to hatch, current reality is that there are seven healthy goslings at the Reservoir and attention and priority is -- or should be with their hopeful survival. <br />
<br />
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=384962609026933&id=100025395917812<br />
<br />
Last year, 8 of 9 goslings perished at the Reservoir (all five of Greta's babies and 3 of 4 of Mary's). It is suspected, that if not the main cause for demise of goslings, malnutrition had to be a contributing factor as all the foliage and vegetation that surrounded the Reservoir had been cut down.<br />
<br />
Goslings need to eat constantly in order to attain nearly full size and flight capability within three months. <br />
<br />
Currently, some greenery and vegetation has (thankfully) grown back at the Reservoir. But is it enough to support and sustain seven growing goslings through the next three months?<br />
<br />
That is not known at this time.<br />
<br />
However, in view of what occurred last year, it seems only cautionary and prudent to suggest that these goslings should receive supplemental feeding and support from humans until such time they are capable of flying out with their parents at about 11-weeks-old.<br />
<br />
This is also why it is important to oppose and fight the proposed Wildlife Feeding Ban that now looms over NYC and threatens empathetic feeders with criminal arrest. <br />
<br />
There are situations that arise that sometimes require human assistance to wildlife. Whether they be domestic ducks abandoned to park lakes, song birds and waterfowl trying to survive tough winters or vulnerable goslings confined to an area where "natural foods" have been deliberately removed or destroyed, people deserve the right to be charitable.<br />
<br />
As for the new Reservoir goose families, as of yesterday all the geese and babies were congregated on the east side of the watercourse, including Hansel and Greta. <br />
<br />
Perhaps if they cannot have goslings themselves this year, Hansel and Greta have decided to aid and help protect and support the babies of Greta's sister, Mary and daughter, Caroline. <br />
<br />
Canada geese are known for outstanding family loyalty and looking out for each other. That only we could say the same about our own species that too often prioritizes selfishness over concern and caring for others.<br />
<br />
<br />
. ..........................<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-39126935834201077692019-05-10T01:02:00.000-04:002019-05-10T01:02:18.258-04:00"We Care About the Wildlife" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPULb9sbSuMh4S6n8X_doHxlL96acQrH2WRK2qskCvls7m_plbaTEh5vtNz7g3N-8cwmnmKnvtcH44gyU9XpGoPxW1tT0OHFlDZN-1zu_N4Pm-cs4vyzZ7ZovDQrVdPZKaXY6bZk2FGv1/s1600/FB_IMG_1551944285976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="794" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPULb9sbSuMh4S6n8X_doHxlL96acQrH2WRK2qskCvls7m_plbaTEh5vtNz7g3N-8cwmnmKnvtcH44gyU9XpGoPxW1tT0OHFlDZN-1zu_N4Pm-cs4vyzZ7ZovDQrVdPZKaXY6bZk2FGv1/s320/FB_IMG_1551944285976.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"We care about the wildlife."<br />
<br />
Yesterday, Roxanne Delgado of the Bronx Animal Rights Electors met with several NYC Parks officials who are pushing the Parks Commissioner to sign the proposed Wildlife Feeding Ban.<br />
<br />
Ms. Delgado worked very hard doing research, investigations, interviews and gathering documents, articles and photos in order to demonstrate and prove why the feeding ban must be rejected.<br />
<br />
During her point by point, half-hour presentation, not one question was raised to her.<br />
<br />
Ms. Delgado was anticipating an active, engaged dialogue. Instead, she received stone faces and nary a word in comment apart from robotic and candy-coated assurances that, "We care about the wildlife."<br />
<br />
Well, let's take a brief look on how NYC Parks "care about wildlife."<br />
<br />
* NYC Parks are routinely doused with fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and rodenticides. Nut, fruit and seed-bearing trees and flora are removed and replaced by ornamental and non-native foliage that provide little food sources for birds and squirrels.<br />
<br />
* Since 2009, more than 6,000 resident Canada geese have been rounded up from city parks and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and either gassed or slaughtered. Those geese still surviving in city parks have been subjected to nearly year-round harassment by Geese Police, as well as egg and nest destruction.<br />
It is not exaggeration to call such programs, "Management to zero" (which is apparently, the intended goal).<br />
<br />
* Last summer, hundreds of raccoons died in Central Park (and other city parks), virtually wiping out the population. Parks claimed Canine Distemper killed a number of the raccoons that were tested. But did it kill all? How did a virus kill so many animals living in different locations and even different parks? Raccoons normally don't travel far from home territories. Few questions were asked by the press and even fewer answered.<br />
<br />
* One of the jobs of Urban Park Rangers is to provide rescue for injured or ailing park wildlife. Park Officials claim the rangers are "well trained" for rescues. However, they are not well equipped.<br />
Park Rangers are neither equipped with nets nor boats. Most times, they show up with a cat carrier which does not aid in capturing wildlife either from the water or on land. On the other hand, Geese Police DOES have boats in order to harass geese and other birds on water. <br />
No boats for rescue. But boats for harassment and forcing out. What does that say about "caring for wildlife?"<br />
<br />
* Park Rangers also claim they have "no access" to the Jackie Onassis Reservoir for waterfowl rescues. And yet, the Reservoir is a major resting point for thousands of migratory water birds passing through NYC twice a year, as well as a wintering spot for hundreds of migratory ducks and geese from December through March. During bad winters, these migratory birds (which are supposed to be protected by federal law) are left to starve to death when the Reservoir and park lakes freeze over more than 90%.<br />
<br />
* NYC parks not only allow, but encourage so-called, "Catch and Release" fishing. Fishermen routinely throw slices of white bread in the water in order to lure fish -- the same white bread that NYC parks now want to criminalize empathetic people for tossing to a hungry duck. But if bread is so "bad" for wildlife, why is it any healthier when tossed by a fisherman?<br />
Fishermen routinely and carelessly discard fishing line around parks and lakes posing injury and sometimes loss of limbs or even death to waterfowl.<br />
One Central Park goose lost a foot to fishing line several years ago, another goose with fishing bobble around beak, lost her life when Rangers were unable to rescue her and a mallard nearly lost his leg. Some years back, a duckling at Turtle Pond was caught on the end of a fishing hook horrifying onlookers and another time, a turtle was caught at Harlem Meer and the fisherman ( a kid) didn't know how to get it off the hook.<br />
But not only is the fishing destructive to wildlife in general, but also to the fish, many of whom suffer mouth injuries before finally being tossed back in the water -- after pictures are taken.<br />
<br />
* Many parks allow BBQ's which leave parks littered with trash and chicken bones and which in turn attract rats -- which bird feeders are then blamed for.<br />
<br />
* Some parks (especially, Central Park) routinely put on fireworks displays for occasions such as classical music concerts and marathons, in addition to holidays. The fireworks terrify park wildlife and send hundreds of birds flying out.<br />
<br />
These are just some of the many (destructive) ways NYC Parks "care about wildlife."<br />
<br />
Truth is, wildlife is an inconvenience to City Parks which prioritize all manner of human activity, money-making enterprises and entertainment over biodiversity, nature and wildlife.<br />
<br />
And it is exactly this same lack of biodiversity, altering of habitats, destruction of food sources, deliberate killings and heavy use of pesticides/insecticides that is "pushing/forcing wildlife out" globally, causing more than a million plant and animals species to now face extinction.<br />
<br />
Push and "discourage" wildlife from NYC parks and where is it supposed to go? Someone's back yard? Or the same place much of the world's wildlife is going? -- Nowhere?<br />
<br />
Yes, NYC parks "care about wildlife."<br />
<br />
They care about it being gone.<br />
<br />
And the proposed feeding ban if passed, will be the final nail in the coffin for NYC park wildlife.<br />
<br />
Remove, replace and destroy natural food sources and then criminalize the alternate food sources as provided by human support.<br />
<br />
"Management" to zero - - exactly what the UN report warned against. <br />
<br />
<br />
..................<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-56530628950396340432019-05-07T13:54:00.000-04:002019-05-07T13:54:59.496-04:00Amidst Chaos, New Life!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxalqe7yrfcV8Lae3jy5PsfG6wv0JW1DbUM-ZiK3qw_h8lJFXOjojulF_lT5uFOUrQvPeWsyNxLDdvc00Ta2I8Y5i5PqRt_Tx91AlDeQi322h5ikm3XvUJRY9aM5z8Q6h9JMYwl5_avJHQ/s1600/received_646931765771142.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxalqe7yrfcV8Lae3jy5PsfG6wv0JW1DbUM-ZiK3qw_h8lJFXOjojulF_lT5uFOUrQvPeWsyNxLDdvc00Ta2I8Y5i5PqRt_Tx91AlDeQi322h5ikm3XvUJRY9aM5z8Q6h9JMYwl5_avJHQ/s320/received_646931765771142.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
On the same day a devastating report was issued from the UN regarding animal and plant extinctions, new life was hatched at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park. The symbolic irony should not be lost.<br />
<br />
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2019/05/06/one-million-species-face-extinction-un-panel-says-humans-will-suffer-result/?utm_campaign=FB_Org_Action&utm_content=20190506&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_term=.dcbb0303bb3c<br />
<br />
Although all the major newspapers covered the extinctions report in which over one million animal, plant and insect species face extinction due mostly to human activities, one can bet the critical issue won't even be mentioned during next year's Presidential campaigns and debates (unless people demand that it be).<br />
<br />
We are a species that for the most part, likes to close its eyes to hard and uncomfortable realities -- especially those that compel us to make changes in our lives. In many ways we are drowning in our own over-consumption and consumerism -- and we are taking the rest of the planet and animals with us.<br />
<br />
But that is not to say matters are completely without hope. <br />
<br />
"Think globally, act locally."<br />
<br />
This was the original mantra of the Environmental movement and it is so true.<br />
<br />
It is vital to be aware of what is happening around the world and how even small, everyday decisions we make have impact. But nowhere is our power stronger for change than in our own backyards and communities.<br />
<br />
When noting wildlife disappearing in local parks and communities, it is critical to observe, question why and when necessary, take proactive action to stand up and speak out to officials and those in charge of so-called, "wildlife management."<br />
<br />
That is in fact, what this entire struggle to protect what little wildlife remains in NYC parks has been about.<br />
<br />
Alterations in and destruction of natural habitat, heavy use of pesticides, insecticides and rodenticides and now, a proposed ban on all feeding of wildlife are succeeding in virtually emptying NYC parks of existing wildlife.<br />
<br />
Such should be unacceptable in a world that is in the midst of the "Sixth Great Mass Extinction ."<br />
<br />
So far, a final decision on the proposed "Wildlife Feeding Ban" (though expected in early April), has not yet been issued for NYC parks. That is hopefully a possible sign that all the calls and letters are having some impact. It's important to keep them coming:<br />
<br />
https://www.facebook.com/326231281077113/posts/819191245114445/<br />
<br />
Yesterday, friend and fellow wildlife advocate, Laura Taylor went to the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park and discovered that the nesting Canada goose we named, "Caroline" hatched three perfect goslings. <br />
<br />
Caroline and her mate, Charlie are first-time parents at the Reservoir. It is suspected she is likely a daughter of Greta who is currently nesting at the East Side of the watercourse. (Female geese choose nesting sites and usually in locations where they themselves hatched several years before.)<br />
<br />
There is also new foliage attempting to grow in between the rocks surrounding Reservoir.<br />
<br />
All hopeful signs. But hope alone means little without consistent action.<br />
<br />
Whether these goslings ultimately survive -- and the world's wildlife as a whole -- depends upon the actions that we as humans take over the ensuing weeks, months and years.<br />
<br />
Environment, climate change and animal extinctions need to be pushed to the top of priority lists during all upcoming elections.<br />
<br />
And in the meantime, we need to be not only allowed to support city parks wildlife, but welcomed to do so.<br />
<br />
<br />
................................<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-23152302879235152872019-05-03T22:25:00.000-04:002019-05-03T22:25:03.779-04:00Fair and "Fowl" Weather Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_tL9jL8LHp8cbHv8_eM3NR-7MesuURthrphJeqTOJKph9LZBJP9hmMF1w5UJoYoZUom8E6OQw4Vmw8TsGIwrZ7ohfUnF5SgPkz-J39m_VtXgXWCoO2sbn_V456ykwUivBijS3bscB8wN/s1600/FB_IMG_1556850726318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_tL9jL8LHp8cbHv8_eM3NR-7MesuURthrphJeqTOJKph9LZBJP9hmMF1w5UJoYoZUom8E6OQw4Vmw8TsGIwrZ7ohfUnF5SgPkz-J39m_VtXgXWCoO2sbn_V456ykwUivBijS3bscB8wN/s320/FB_IMG_1556850726318.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We're all familiar with the phrase, "Fair weather friends." - - The people who love you when you've just hit the lottery, but run the other way when you've been kicked to the curb by a job, lover or some nasty bug. Call these people when the sun is shining, but not when clouds and storm rule the day!<br />
<br />
But in the duck and goose worlds things are quite different.<br />
<br />
Mallards love me when temperatures are frigid, snow covers the ground and ice coats the water. They fly to greet me, throw themselves at me feet and even try to follow me home!<br />
<br />
" We are so happy to see you! What have you brought for us?" They plead. "We are so hungry. We are so desperate; so cold!"<br />
<br />
But come the spring and fair weather, there is dramatic change.<br />
<br />
"What, you again? What do you want? Go away. We don't need you!"<br />
<br />
It is more than a three mile walk to and back from my local park.<br />
<br />
But these days when going there, the mallards are usually resting and sunning themselves on the grass. They can't be bothered to get off their butts and walk ten feet to greet me. It's way too much effort!<br />
<br />
So much for gratitude for helping them get through a tough winter.<br />
The mallards are a greedy and totally narcissistic bunch, sad to say.<br />
<br />
But Canada geese? Ah, they are different!<br />
<br />
Like the mallards, the geese appreciate some human support during harsh winters.<br />
<br />
But unlike mallards, the geese don't forget who their human friends are -- even during fair weather and even when they don't need human handouts.<br />
<br />
When arriving to the park yesterday, most of the mallards, domestic ducks and even Chinese geese were off in snoozeville. Nestled in the tall, fresh grass, most heads were tucked in backs and there was barely a stir. I am reasonably sure they were aware of my presence, but unless I brought sun tan oil, they weren't interested.<br />
<br />
"Don't go away mad, just go away." I could hear their collective minds say. "We're good. We don't need anything!"<br />
<br />
I looked for the new goose family.<br />
<br />
Bogie and Bacall had just hatched goslings two days before, but when last seen, the babies were safely tucked under Mama's wings while the family rested. They were too far away (behind the fenced area) to photograph.<br />
<br />
I finally did see the family yesterday, but like two days before, they were far back in the wooded deer area. But this time, I could make out a couple of tiny, yellow heads bobbing up and down in the grass.<br />
<br />
But still too far for me to photograph.<br />
<br />
I stood at the fence for a while on what seemed a lazy, spring day. Even the deer were apparently taking it easy somewhere amongst the wooded trees. No one was interested in seeing me.<br />
<br />
But, wait. Just as I was about to turn around and head for home...<br />
<br />
Bacall suddenly started flying forward! And three bouncing balls of yellow fluff began running behind her, followed closely, by an anxious dad.<br />
<br />
In an instant, the family was before me. And though I tossed some duck pellets and a few small bits of bread, neither parent was particularly hungry -- though the babies nibbled curiously.<br />
<br />
Bogie and Bacall proudly brought their babies before me, both to greet and to show off.<br />
<br />
They stayed a few minutes and obligingly posed for photos and then retreated peacefully back to the wooded, grassy area; babies merrily trotting beside them. It was sweet of them to make my long walk to the park fruitful and fulfilling.<br />
<br />
And so yes, some people are only friends during good times. And most ducks seem only interested in friendship during bad times.<br />
<br />
But geese?<br />
<br />
Ah, geese never forget who their human friends are and they are always there for you come fair weather or "fowl."<br />
<br />
.............<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-26949758125465498022019-05-02T01:15:00.000-04:002019-05-02T01:15:02.902-04:00Theories, Guesses and Lies -- Keep the Salt Shaker Handy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DyC_Ta2rfRW_ImtXR-X6uDDSwvTOLAV-U_4psZ91WXEHXPCSM42frDkmqhhaXkmGxh_gq8vw0DVAraivAuuk-m2HQsGhT_fdjgOWsTaXUAQRreEFJSWr3700NR7K3jhcsd9vBlfOcgn7/s1600/FB_IMG_1553844777613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="733" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DyC_Ta2rfRW_ImtXR-X6uDDSwvTOLAV-U_4psZ91WXEHXPCSM42frDkmqhhaXkmGxh_gq8vw0DVAraivAuuk-m2HQsGhT_fdjgOWsTaXUAQRreEFJSWr3700NR7K3jhcsd9vBlfOcgn7/s320/FB_IMG_1553844777613.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Over the years, those struggling to protect the wildlife of city parks have had to contend with many false claims put forth by those advocating for destruction and/or "discouragement" of park wildlife.<br />
<br />
The most recent theory to be "tossed at wall" is the suggestion (by a feeding ban supporter) that the 8 of 9 goslings who perished at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir last summer were all likely victims of "Snapping turtles." <br />
<br />
Of course there is no evidence to back up this claim nor even documentation to show Snapping turtles actually exist at the world famous location. <br />
<br />
Neither myself nor friends have ever seen a Snapping turtle at the Reservoir and I personally was there thousands of times. (Snappers do however live at some of the Central Park lakes and ponds.)<br />
<br />
But even if we assume (for sake of argument) that Snapping turtles exist at Reservoir, the suggestion that they suddenly took out 8 of 9 otherwise healthy goslings more than a month-old and within a week is preposterous.<br />
<br />
Goslings move fast and have two protective parents. Snapping turtles move extremely slowly and mostly stay at the bottom of the water in sand or mud.<br />
<br />
Moreover, Snapping turtles are omnivores who mostly eat plants, worms, insects, fish, frogs or ailing birds.<br />
Despite Snapping turtles at Turtle Pond and the Lake in Central Park over the past decade, no goslings fell victim to them.<br />
<br />
Of course, I have no "hard evidence" that the demise of the 8 goslings last summer was due to malnutrition. <br />
<br />
But that theory is based on circumstantial evidence:<br />
<br />
It is fact that the "natural food sources" for goslings (plants, grass, vegetation) were destroyed around the Reservoir last spring.<br />
<br />
It is fact that goslings have to constantly eat in order to attain adult size and flight within three months of age.<br />
<br />
It is fact that all 8 goslings perished at about a month-old and all within ten days of each other. <br />
<br />
Ruling out deliberate poison as possible cause, that leaves few options. (No dogs, foxes, coyotes or fishermen around Reservoir.)<br />
<br />
It is possible that poor nutrition left goslings in a weakened state, thereby making them vulnerable to predation by regular turtles or hawks. In such case, malnutrition is contributing and primary (if not final), cause of death.<br />
<br />
One of the most popular "theories" (especially on the Internet) by those opposing any support of park wildlife is that human feeding (especially bread) "may cause Angel Wing."<br />
<br />
The key word in that sentence is "may."<br />
<br />
I could claim that drinking coffee "may cause insanity in humans."<br />
<br />
That doesn't mean it does. <br />
<br />
"May, might, could and can" are disqualifying (or guessing) words that don't require actual evidence to back then up. <br />
<br />
And so we find little evidence to back up the charge that bread causes Angel Wing. On the contrary, the few scientific studies done on this question suggest the condition to be primarily genetic in causation. (It mostly occurs in domestic fowl raised for meat or eggs.)<br />
<br />
Even more to the point, Angel Wing rarely occurs in wild mallard populations and these are the birds most fed bread in public parks.<br />
<br />
Another "may" that is particularly disconcerting is the claim that human feeding "may delay bird migrations."<br />
<br />
Bird migrations are established over thousands of years. And while there are occasional variations due to climate changes, presence of predators or available natural food sources, birds don't alter migratory patterns based upon some humans feeding treats. When the calendar tells birds to move, they move.<br />
<br />
So far, we have discussed theories, guesses and speculations.<br />
<br />
But there are times when park officials and representatives outright lie to people. Such was the case in 2010 when park spokespeople from Prospect Park told questioning park goers that the park's 360 molting geese and goslings "flew to a nearby cemetery."<br />
<br />
The truth was, the geese and their babies had been rounded up at dawn on that sultry July 8th morning and sent for gassing.<br />
<br />
The bottom line to all this is that unfortunately, one cannot take as "fact," claims and charges made by those whose goal appears to be the destruction of or pushing out of wildlife from city parks. - - Especially when those claims are preceded by unprovable, "May, might, could or can."<br />
<br />
It's important to require evidence of claims and not just take at face value. A salt shaker seems to be sad necessity when communicating with park officials and representatives. <br />
<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-79683653352941716852019-04-28T03:34:00.000-04:002019-04-28T03:43:42.476-04:00Where the Star Attraction is the Wildlife<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IB_XiIRfXhaprrr-2G0xsii575MXdfLk5Y6VqwF-HAknF8tTKygGDiO6GG5AI4STvi7qZQqljb3JVcBh9hJld-5WXgSYEflO2PUoYByLqPABCB9hJ4vhszORhqs9rjsQy1JpaxQBAY6A/s1600/FB_IMG_1553536336326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="841" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IB_XiIRfXhaprrr-2G0xsii575MXdfLk5Y6VqwF-HAknF8tTKygGDiO6GG5AI4STvi7qZQqljb3JVcBh9hJld-5WXgSYEflO2PUoYByLqPABCB9hJ4vhszORhqs9rjsQy1JpaxQBAY6A/s320/FB_IMG_1553536336326.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's a bit ironic that I moved from NYC to Cortland, N.Y. more than a year ago, yet find myself writing nearly exclusively about the same problems plaguing NYC parks and their wildlife as when I was living there.<br />
<br />
Could it be that you can take the woman out of NYC, but not NYC out of the woman?<br />
<br />
Actually, I don't think so.<br />
<br />
There is nothing I miss about NYC other than friends still living there and the wildlife I came to know in Central Park. Wildlife that appears now to be under intense pressure to, "Move to Long Island."<br />
<br />
In terms of contrast, I am writing today about my local park in Cortland, the Municipal Water Works Park, which is less than two miles from where I live.<br />
<br />
Yes, it's a bit of hike walking to and from there, and it's not the rolling hills and manicured lawns of Central Park. But the Water Works Park is a special kind of haven for wildlife.<br />
<br />
A large, wooded area is fenced off for the herd of roughly 30 White-tailed deer maintained there and there is a sizable, temperature-controlled pond that is ideal for wild ducks and geese -- especially during harsh Cortland winters. There are also many robust squirrels, both grey and red and some groundhogs.<br />
<br />
Not only are families with children welcomed to bring food for wildlife, but the park actually fills troughs with hard corn and fresh water for deer.<br />
<br />
While there are picnic tables in the park, most visitors come exclusively to feed and interact with the deer and waterfowl.<br />
Some people even have names for the deer and can tell you all about their relationships to each other.<br />
<br />
In addition to wild mallards and geese, there are also a number of domestic ducks at the park and two domestic (Chinese) geese whom I call, "The Honeymooners " -- that is because Ralph and Alice are so LOUD! I understand the Chinese geese have been living at the park six years, though no one seems to know how they or the domestic ducks got there. But all survived a brutal winter and appear to be doing well.<br />
<br />
Presently, in the park, things are in peaceful lull.<br />
Most of the geese and mallards have departed for more "private" nesting sites. The deer have lost their antlers and the young have yet to hatch or be born.<br />
<br />
But within weeks, the park will be bristling with new life in the forms of baby ducklings, goslings and fawns!<br />
<br />
Last year, we had at least 60 ducklings, close to 40 goslings and maybe about 7 or 8 fawns-- all of them healthy despite nearly constant human feeding throughout the year, including much bread.<br />
<br />
Waterfowl population does fluctuate in the park with it being lower in early spring and fall and heavier in summer (because of babies) and in winter because of the temperature-managed pond.<br />
<br />
Though not having the funding and resources of NYC parks, the Municipal Water Works Park in Cortland is beautifully maintained with crystal clean water all the time, natural trees and fauna. And despite all the wildlife feeding, the park is never littered with trash strewn about or discarded fishing lines. (No fishing in park.)<br />
<br />
In short, the Municipal Water Works park in Cortland is as different from Central Park as night is to day. Wildlife is the focal point and main attraction, whereas in all NYC parks, wildlife is apparently unwelcome inconvenience.<br />
<br />
But weren't NYC parks originally created for harried New Yorkers to have peaceful respite and opportunity to connect with nature and wildlife? When did they become mere extension of the outside chaos and crowds of the city; the "concrete jungle?"<br />
<br />
Give me a park where instead of movies, shows, concerts, sporting events and fireworks, the star attraction is still nature and wildlife.<br />
<br />
I never really left New York City as much as it left me.<br />
<br />
<br />
.............. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-44367825527298392312019-04-26T00:31:00.000-04:002019-04-26T00:31:02.786-04:00Greta Hanging Tough in Hostile Environment<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiJS1XfZIVQjqmcXnssEiMwjhUd2DurKDEEjxT3FIyKHFGcuTFJgYF4rR2GcxJar-UUKnkGd_WqRFCG2UJBPlMTrsrZqWmjfNKMS5PtvMw-4JrIA6ylobqLb-4kr_4jDnhoRihsb36GGT/s1600/received_650850595336863.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiJS1XfZIVQjqmcXnssEiMwjhUd2DurKDEEjxT3FIyKHFGcuTFJgYF4rR2GcxJar-UUKnkGd_WqRFCG2UJBPlMTrsrZqWmjfNKMS5PtvMw-4JrIA6ylobqLb-4kr_4jDnhoRihsb36GGT/s320/received_650850595336863.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There has been very little good news regarding NYC park wildlife over the past year. Dead raccoons, dead goslings, dwindling food sources and dwindling wildlife all around.<br />
<br />
Add to that, the campaign to criminalize all people who dare give a peanut to a squirrel or piece of bread to a duck.<br />
<br />
The wildlife, "should go to Long Island to find food sources" as one Audubon representative and ban supporter recently put it.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, there is some good news.<br />
<br />
Greta did not abandon or lose her eggs, after all. She is still on her nest.<br />
<br />
The two geese photographed standing on rocks at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir earlier in the week (and mistaken for Hansel and Greta) are, in fact, new arrivals.<br />
<br />
It's unusual for new geese to enter into territories of established nesting pairs and thus, such was not anticipated. One suspects the new geese may have been harassed from some other location by Geese Police or could be adult kids of Hansel and Greta from a few years ago. In either case, I am surprised Hansel has not chased the pair out.<br />
<br />
There are a few plants and blades of grass struggling to grow through the barren landscape at the Reservoir now. But not enough to sustain two goslings, let alone a potential dozen. (Three nesting pairs in total.)<br />
<br />
Matters are still grim, but it is at least good news that Greta and Hansel are OK. It would have been extremely ominous had Greta actually abandoned her eggs. Geese don't walk away from eggs unless something is seriously wrong -- which is why I was so worried for her.<br />
<br />
In other parts of Central Park, wildlife matters continue on a downward spiral.<br />
<br />
My friend, Liliana went to the row boat Lake today, hoping to feed her two special geese (Man and Lady) and two mallards that were there last week. But none of the birds were present. (This also suggests that Geese Police might be operating in Central Park again -- despite very few geese being there.)<br />
<br />
Granted, Liliana is not able to walk around the entire lake. But she gets a pretty good view from the Ladies Pavilian. She saw no ducks or geese at all on the entire north side of lake.<br />
<br />
That is shocking news as usually there is a lively group of mallards hanging around the Pavilion this time of year.<br />
<br />
Also, only two squirrels observed and very few smaller birds.<br />
<br />
Maybe the wildlife really is venturing over the bridges to Long Island, after all?<br />
<br />
NYC Parks are clearly unwelcoming environments. Instead of red carpets, they roll out Geese Police vans, demolition squads, No Feeding signs and pesticides.<br />
<br />
Hang tough, Greta, hang tough.<br />
<br />
. .................<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-21369576297669371022019-04-25T03:32:00.000-04:002019-04-25T03:32:30.006-04:00Letter to a NYC Parks Wildlife Official<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5ApBpUbl-WwC068QIfFE7S_bMwoZl3ph6pw6ijZAv7NuM3taIvb_siPB94yZiMVzV4Zbfsu09Pm9dqdJeilo8pKPnmQ49xw7qQvqdQiPHkplY6EYwPchMxK0fsqxYNt7cVwUIF1Esz5P/s1600/FB_IMG_1554162023591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5ApBpUbl-WwC068QIfFE7S_bMwoZl3ph6pw6ijZAv7NuM3taIvb_siPB94yZiMVzV4Zbfsu09Pm9dqdJeilo8pKPnmQ49xw7qQvqdQiPHkplY6EYwPchMxK0fsqxYNt7cVwUIF1Esz5P/s320/FB_IMG_1554162023591.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
This morning I wrote a high official in the Wildlife division of NYC Parks regarding the proposed Wildlife Feeding Ban. I share the letter here as both, a matter of record to this blog, as well as refute of arguments in support of the feckless ban.<br />
<br />
It is vital to keep the pressure on NYC officials and the Mayor if we are serious about protecting what little remains of precious NYC Parks birds and squirrels.<br />
<br />
The argument (put forth by an Audubon representative) that "The animals can go to Long Island" when essentially starved out of NYC parks is neither acceptable nor realistic. Squirrels and baby birds cannot fly or cross bridges.<br />
<br />
Dear Mr.XXXXX<br />
<br />
It was suggested by a colleague that I write to you regarding the proposed Wildlife Feeding Ban in NYC Parks.<br />
<br />
I moved to upstate N.Y. last year. But before doing so, I visited Central Park everyday for nearly a decade and documented thousands of hours of wildlife observations in a blog.<br />
<br />
One of the reasons for leaving NYC was the often apathetic, dismissive and even cruel, callous attitudes towards NYC parks wildlife.<br />
<br />
I speak of the deliberate gassings and slaughter of more than 6,000 resident Canada geese, in addition to nearly constant harassment and destruction of their nests and eggs. <br />
<br />
The last Swan was harassed out of Central Park in the spring of 2014.<br />
<br />
I understand that nearly all the raccoons in Central Park died last year and squirrel numbers are alarmingly low compared to recent past years. Friends report lower bird numbers in general.<br />
<br />
I am going to first, summarize by points, why Feeding Ban Proposal must be rejected, both for the sake of wildlife protection and human welfare. (Later, in this letter, I will refute claims of those supporting ban.)<br />
<br />
1-- Destruction of Wildlife Habitat and Natural Food Sources.<br />
<br />
Others have pointed to replacement of fruit, nut and seed-bearing trees in parks with ornamental flora that does not sustain wildlife. <br />
<br />
One example of this is destruction last year, of all vegetation that surrounds the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park. Foliage and grass previously there were important food sources for growing goslings, migratory and molting birds and other wildlife. Last summer 8 of 9 goslings perished at the Reservoir, all around the age of four weeks. If not the main cause for demise of goslings, lack of food sources had to be contributing factor, leaving them weak and unable to avoid predation.<br />
(Baby birds are unable to fly out until three months of age, to forage food elsewhere. Molting birds in summer are also unable to fly out to find food.)<br />
<br />
2-- Climate Change and Lethal Impacts of Severe Winters on Park Wildlife.<br />
<br />
The winters of 2014 and 2015 were particularly severe and abnormal all along the North East, including, NYC. Thousands of waterfowl starved to death on iced-over lakes and ponds. The town of Southhampton in Long Island purchased large bags of cracked corn in effort to save dying ducks on their lakes.<br />
Workers in Central Park told me of finding dead ducks around a frozen Harlem Meer.<br />
<br />
Myself and a few others took to feeding starving MIGRATORY ducks, geese and coots on the then iced-over Jackie Onassis Reservoir twice a day. Tourists and even New Yorkers thought we were employees of the park!<br />
<br />
"It's nice that the park feeds them!" we were told dozens of times.<br />
<br />
Despite our efforts, many birds died anyway.<br />
Imagine what this scene would be like were a feeding ban to pass?<br />
<br />
Tourists would be viewing icy duck and goose graveyards.<br />
<br />
The Jackie Onassis Reservoir is an important resting stop for thousands of migratory birds every year, as well as an actual wintering location for hundreds of migratory geese, ducks and coots.<br />
<br />
Callously allowing migratory waterfowl to starve to death on iced-over watercourses should not be option for NYC parks -- especially at a location Park Rangers claim they "have no access to" for rescues.<br />
<br />
Migratory birds, by federal law, are supposed to be protected!<br />
<br />
3 --Negative Impacts on the Elderly, Disabled and Children/Families<br />
<br />
It is mostly the elderly, disabled and young children who feed birds and squirrels in parks. These are people who cannot run marathons, take "tours and nature hikes," or stand on long lines for concerts, shows and movies.<br />
<br />
I have a friend, Liliana, who is a stage four cancer victim and uses a walker to get around. She likes to sit down and feed ducks and geese in Central Park. (She was also one of the people who helped me save starving birds on icy Reservoir in 2015.)<br />
<br />
Liliana had a letter published in the NY Daily News last month, opposing feeding ban.<br />
<br />
She received a call two weeks ago from Christina Kim of the Mayor's office. Ms. Kim told Liliana that instead of feeding birds, she should "Go on a nature hike with birders" or "Volunteer at the WBF."<br />
<br />
Such is truly insult to a disabled, elderly cancer victim.<br />
Is this what the Mayor means by "Education?" - - Insulting seniors?<br />
<br />
In addition to disrespect and insult to the infirm and elderly for whom feeding birds is often their only joy in life, a feeding ban would also be harmful to many city children whose only connection to animals and nature are the ducks in the park. One young mother told me her little girl "looked forward all week" to coming to Harlem Meer on weekends to feed the ducks. (They were not allowed pets in their apartment and could not afford trips to the country.) Are these the people parks seek to criminalize and punish?<br />
<br />
Children learning sharing and compassion early in life are more likely to grow up to be generous, caring adults. By contrast, children hurling sticks and rocks at park wildlife are more likely to later become troubled teens and adults. Those are facts.<br />
<br />
Arguments of Ban Supporters and Why They Need to be Rejected.<br />
<br />
1-- "Bird and Squirrel Feeders are Responsible for Trash and Rats in Parks. "<br />
<br />
This is a shameful example of scapegoating innocent people for failures of parks to do proper clean-up of debris. Bird feeders are not responsible for all the balls, balloons, bottles, diapers, fishing lines, old shoes and other garbage dumped in parks and lakes. Virtually ALL foods put out by birders are quickly consumed by the intended wildlife. Bread especially is devoured with barely a crumb left.<br />
Moreover, to imply that there are hoards of people feeding wildlife and trashing parks is the worst of exaggeration and outright lie.<br />
Less than 1% of people who go to parks feed wildlife.<br />
<br />
2-- "Feeding Bread or Other Human Food Harms Wildlife and Causes Angel Wing."<br />
<br />
Angel Wing occurs most frequently in domestic ducks and geese raised for meat or eggs. These birds are NOT fed bread or other human foods. Studies show the deformity is most often caused by genetic factors, high density crowding, lack of exercise and movement, stress, heat and too much protein in diet. (Bread is low in protein.)<br />
<br />
In terms of Park wildlife, mallards are most frequently fed bread, and they rarely, if ever get Angel Wing. <br />
<br />
This argument (though spread widely over the Internet) is completely bogus and refuted by scientific studies, evidence and observations. Though Angel Wing does occur sometimes in wild Canada geese, this is most likely due to lack of variable gene pool, exposure to chemicals in grass, stress, genetics or unknown factors. <br />
<br />
Most research papers say, "more studies need to be done."<br />
<br />
This past winter, swans in the UK started dying after a successful public "No Bread" campaign. Officials then requested people start feeding bread again. Better bread than starvation. It does no harm.<br />
<br />
The fact is, people have been feeding bread to ducks, geese and swans for hundreds of years without ill effect.<br />
<br />
<br />
3-- "Feeding Causes Overpopulation and Birds Not to Migrate"<br />
<br />
Migratory patterns are established over thousands of years and are NOT impacted at all by human feeding! Despite feeding, I was able to predict within days when migratory ducks and geese would leave Central Park, (mid-March), as well as when goose parents and their goslings would depart. (When babies are 11-weeks-old.)<br />
<br />
This argument bears no merit whatsoever.<br />
<br />
Mr. XXXX, I submit that instead of seeking ways to shock the rest of the country with this absurd, reckless and cruel feeding ban, you should better equip Park Rangers with boats, nets and training for water bird rescues, along with access to the Jackie Onassis Reservoir for rescue of migratory birds. People should NOT have to helplessly watch innocent birds die on the water or ice in a world famous location.<br />
<br />
I also submit that you should do a better job of picking up discarded fishing lines in parks that DO injure and harm wildlife, as well as addressing harm and injury done to park goers from speeding bikes and vicious crimes.<br />
<br />
Senior citizens and children feedIng birds are the very LEAST of NYC Park problems.<br />
<br />
Mayor deBlasio, Park Officials and other ban supporters should be utterly ashamed of themselves on this.<br />
<br />
I thank God I moved out of NYC to a city that welcomes and cares for its park wildlife, as well as welcomes wildlife feeders. I never thought that when leaving NYC a year ago, I would still be fighting for its park wildlife 14 months later.<br />
<br />
Sincerely.....<br />
<br />
<br />
..................<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-91714348007886970672019-04-23T16:47:00.001-04:002019-04-23T16:50:19.723-04:00Concern for Greta <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqa2QkuFBPLrqXmvMyRj9LWSSxn5JNoKdliqm-HxIgXG1EUZ6eU4ZShLq-2bSTkh1DW9iI5ggzaddKTBgx5dKhrtFs30_UTMhPtCEjL1YdGMBwQg4Xqr5XguT8hzAIw26L6QR1Q_0jjUPE/s1600/FB_IMG_1555478358386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqa2QkuFBPLrqXmvMyRj9LWSSxn5JNoKdliqm-HxIgXG1EUZ6eU4ZShLq-2bSTkh1DW9iI5ggzaddKTBgx5dKhrtFs30_UTMhPtCEjL1YdGMBwQg4Xqr5XguT8hzAIw26L6QR1Q_0jjUPE/s320/FB_IMG_1555478358386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I am worried about Greta.<br />
<br />
Nothing about this spring has been "normal" for she and her mate, Hansel, who returned to the Jackie Onassis Reservoir last month in order to once again nest.<br />
<br />
It seemed at the time, a "hopeful" sign considering Hansel and Greta lost all five of their goslings last year when the babies were only a month old. (One suspects malnutrition being at least, a contributory, if not the main cause to the demise of the goslings, as all the grass and foliage necessary to sustain goslings had been removed from the landscape surrounding the Reservoir.)<br />
<br />
But once again, the mated goose pair returned to a barren landscaped Reservoir with not so much as a blade of grass anywhere among the rocks at the East Side of Reservoir -- Greta's usual nesting spot.<br />
<br />
The other Reservoir nesting pair, John and Mary did not return to the Reservoir until a couple of weeks ago, just prior to Mary actually nesting. Previous to that, the pair was observed grazing on the grass at Harlem Meer.<br />
<br />
It is necessary for Canada goose hens to "calorie-load" prior to nesting as they barely eat anything for the month that they incubate their eggs.<br />
<br />
But Hansel and Greta stayed mostly at the barren Reservoir where building "fat reserves" wasn't in the cards. Perhaps Greta anticipated the foliage blooming again with with the arrival of spring, but it wasn't to be. Apparently, the roots have been destroyed.<br />
<br />
Both pairs nested much later than "normal" which is usually the last days of March or first days in April. John and Mary began nesting two weeks ago and Hansel and Greta only last week.<br />
<br />
I speculated that it took them longer this year to build up the calorie requirements necessary for rigors of nesting.<br />
<br />
But did Greta actually build up those necessary requirements at the grass and plant-empty Reservoir?<br />
<br />
When photographed more than a week ago, Greta had hatched one egg.<br />
<br />
But something about the photo was depressing. No nesting materials and just rock surrounding her. In fact, all the recent photos of Hansel and Greta exuded an air of forlorness, search and loss.<br />
<br />
But maybe that was just my imagination? My "feelings?"<br />
<br />
Laura, who usually shares photos and updates with me is not able to get to the Reservoir everyday due to work obligations. But she does check Instagram photos.<br />
<br />
Two days ago, she found a "sunset" photo on Instagram showing, both Hansel and Greta standing on empty East Side Reservoir rocks with no nest or eggs in sight.<br />
<br />
Laura thought that perhaps a recent storm had washed away Greta's eggs, but I don't think so. Mary's eggs were intact as of Saturday.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, Laura requested a friend to check on Hansel and Greta at the Reservoir, but the geese were gone from the nest site. The friend did not walk around the entire Reservoir.<br />
<br />
It's possible that the two geese are somewhere else on the Reservoir. Or it's possible they finally gave up on the hostile environment and flew out.<br />
<br />
But I can't help having a "bad feeling" about it.<br />
<br />
It all seems too Deja-vu....<br />
<br />
Today, I checked back on an old blog post from five years ago, nearly to the day (April 30, 2014):<br />
<br />
https://talesamptailsofnewyork.blogspot.com/2014/04/they-only-abandon-their-eggs-when-dying.html<br />
<br />
Camille and Brad had survived a brutal NYC winter in 2014 that saw the city receive more than 60 inches of snow. (Normal for NYC is 25 inches of snow a year.). I recall a park worker telling me he had found a number of dead ducks at a frozen Harlem Meer that winter.<br />
<br />
But apparently, Camille did not have the calorie and fat reserves to survive the stresses of nesting. She died a week after laying six eggs. A little more than a week following her misfortune, another nesting goose perished at the Reservoir on May 10 shortly after laying eggs. (Also detailed in blog.)<br />
<br />
And so, am I just being paranoid in worrying over Greta now?<br />
Or is such worry based upon past experience?<br />
<br />
I am desperately hoping to be wrong and Laura right. Maybe a storm washed away Greta's eggs. Maybe she and her mate, Hansel are perfectly fine and just took off after suffering still, another loss.<br />
<br />
But the feelings are uneasy, the photos haunting and past blog posts foreboding.<br />
<br />
And in light of everything else coming out from NYC parks these days, it is nearly impossible to be optimistic.<br />
<br />
I can only hope Greta and her devoted mate are OK, and yet "hope" seems such anemic and powerless word.<br />
<br />
<br />
...........................<br />
<br />
<br />
. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycnFq0pxFiRA4x1EQX4-WOwqpGLILUrZZA8HyJ8-UZ13YSO7YDzk3EXdKRX8RkDLYoMaw2A_tRXZyz8VpBcmuATWQOMo2sb6gGEnDFB0cQi4xAKiii1bK7qeUlQav9Tt9nT-COZGIk6pg/s1600/FB_IMG_1555478338109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="736" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycnFq0pxFiRA4x1EQX4-WOwqpGLILUrZZA8HyJ8-UZ13YSO7YDzk3EXdKRX8RkDLYoMaw2A_tRXZyz8VpBcmuATWQOMo2sb6gGEnDFB0cQi4xAKiii1bK7qeUlQav9Tt9nT-COZGIk6pg/s320/FB_IMG_1555478338109.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-28017524991510447362019-04-23T01:37:00.000-04:002019-04-23T01:37:54.881-04:00Dead Birds Are Facts; Beliefs and Feelings Are Not<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZHQG9NCPA-YXMXCwhXX041JDfEXscWh7fr6FLHcRkUI2x4n9SSn1vi_W_dGNw6gv0i_y7Ng-I6165lR29nX1EnXIThtbaVesUP7YMHTHO6W6x3XDaYDn252gFUB_VdK7AQQr2q99fszP/s1600/IMG_8248-743727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="480" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZHQG9NCPA-YXMXCwhXX041JDfEXscWh7fr6FLHcRkUI2x4n9SSn1vi_W_dGNw6gv0i_y7Ng-I6165lR29nX1EnXIThtbaVesUP7YMHTHO6W6x3XDaYDn252gFUB_VdK7AQQr2q99fszP/s320/IMG_8248-743727.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSzZ_LyzGlVcT7KYMEAlLKgP5vmSs1fptHmYU1dIhJh7iiXA6mqVLhV3Grn-6DpNCLyocjVYcT4hkzSsJDJqoYrwSZVulN-ANEpW_taTUJvyHZU6Gbe7-XyCU30zaUwAJ0KG-kPWBdf6t/s1600/IMG_8287-749437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSzZ_LyzGlVcT7KYMEAlLKgP5vmSs1fptHmYU1dIhJh7iiXA6mqVLhV3Grn-6DpNCLyocjVYcT4hkzSsJDJqoYrwSZVulN-ANEpW_taTUJvyHZU6Gbe7-XyCU30zaUwAJ0KG-kPWBdf6t/s320/IMG_8287-749437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyf_PmNw1t1NwquhyphenhyphenFOarvvAXqkmKpLtzXqI5h9KvxPwAwPOP1or84UGAib_xr-H3Kmpw10F4fyp0SzK7xNd5XkxuMRByvnxsqkNdw_HQU8y6rSUfWV9e0xAUC8Zc6iKE_vmFl8qPWzUH/s1600/IMG_7931-776711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyf_PmNw1t1NwquhyphenhyphenFOarvvAXqkmKpLtzXqI5h9KvxPwAwPOP1or84UGAib_xr-H3Kmpw10F4fyp0SzK7xNd5XkxuMRByvnxsqkNdw_HQU8y6rSUfWV9e0xAUC8Zc6iKE_vmFl8qPWzUH/s320/IMG_7931-776711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH5nDsloW6qehD-_ew-FGtVznoyhqmnViEIUlsgbvj1Cb-pgaFD3THECmLJbQC5Q212IIb4rDysGbSF0PUev0ef6aRWLkXUysOu77OpJPAC4If49mJlS3hnOF6zNIMz_dIWNaul6qmSpV/s1600/IMG_5546-748427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH5nDsloW6qehD-_ew-FGtVznoyhqmnViEIUlsgbvj1Cb-pgaFD3THECmLJbQC5Q212IIb4rDysGbSF0PUev0ef6aRWLkXUysOu77OpJPAC4If49mJlS3hnOF6zNIMz_dIWNaul6qmSpV/s320/IMG_5546-748427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In a recent NY1 interview, NYC Mayor deBlasio stated that he and NYC Parks "believe" there are adequate food resources for the wildlife in city parks.<br />
<br />
In a phone conversation yesterday with a staffer at the Parks Commissioner's office, I was told it's the "feeling" of park officials that birds and squirrels have sufficient food sources.<br />
<br />
Another caller to her Councilman yesterday, was told feeders will "probably" not be fined.<br />
<br />
Beliefs, feelings and "probably" are not facts. It seems officials use these meaningless, ambiguous terms when lacking actual evidence to back up their claims.<br />
<br />
However, it is FACT that migratory geese and ducks have starved to death on iced-over watercourses in city parks during rough winters.<br />
<br />
It is FACT that man-made parks are designed for human activities to the detriment of natural food sources for wildlife.<br />
<br />
It is FACT that all the foliage (a major food source for migratory geese and developing goslings) was destroyed and removed at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park last year, seemingly causing 8 of 9 goslings to perish there.<br />
<br />
Other "beliefs" that don't stand up to scrutiny are the claims that bread-feeding to birds causes "Angel Wing" in geese and that feeding squirrels causes them to "attack people."<br />
<br />
Few studies have actually been conducted to prove exactly what causes Angel Wing in geese. What little information exists suggest genetic factors more than anything else -- with some studies suggesting a high protein diet contributing to condition. (Bread is not high in protein.)<br />
<br />
But one thing for sure, were bread a major cause of Angel Wing, as claimed, it should be seen more frequently in mallards (who are fed more bread than geese), and in fact, rarely is.<br />
Moreover, Angel Wing is usually evident in very young goslings only a few weeks old. Unless eating ONLY bread, it is highly unlikely that diet alone would cause that kind of damaging "birth defect" in so short a time.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, the feeding ban is not about what to feed wildlife. It's about banning ALL feeding -- including, so-called, "healthy foods."<br />
<br />
It behooves the imagination to understand why some birders and rescuers support the harmful ban despite it not making ANY concessions for their requested "exceptions."<br />
<br />
Would one buy a house or rent an apartment without a written agreement spelling out terms and conditions? Would Congress Members "support" bills making no concessions to their requests and demands? One thinks not.<br />
<br />
We are truly down to the wire now. The proposal now sits on the desks of Park Commissioners, just waiting to be signed.<br />
<br />
Please call Commissioner, Mitchell Silver today at (212) 360-1305 to express opposition to ban and Deputy Commissioner, Liam Kavanagh at (212) 360-1307.<br />
<br />
And don't buy into their beliefs, feelings and probablys.<br />
<br />
"Just the facts" as Sergeant Friday used to say.<br />
<br />
Dead Birds are facts. Beliefs and feelings are not.<br />
<br />
.... .....................PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-56794597045135972252019-04-21T01:58:00.000-04:002019-04-21T01:58:34.555-04:00"Anybody But Me" -- The Folly of Denial and Elitism<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxeeddp7XXAEGljhn3E7wrvGa2gdbTIv0LhD7SHuMraQ-uOD7oyT0rxHWptuZuAJkYJsBFjT644Y4RAVbJu_OOmlu2lUnUsG0nFkQWlH98uX-F2UuIzxQ3k9YG2Jp7bryF_b0fBfCXznD/s1600/FB_IMG_1555824948355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxeeddp7XXAEGljhn3E7wrvGa2gdbTIv0LhD7SHuMraQ-uOD7oyT0rxHWptuZuAJkYJsBFjT644Y4RAVbJu_OOmlu2lUnUsG0nFkQWlH98uX-F2UuIzxQ3k9YG2Jp7bryF_b0fBfCXznD/s320/FB_IMG_1555824948355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This past Friday's edition of the New York Times finally covered the proposed wildlife feeding ban in NYC parks. -- But it may be too little too late.<br />
<br />
( "It's Eastertime and the Duck Rescuers are Ready" https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/nyregion/ducks-city-parks-.html )<br />
<br />
This important article illustrates just some of the likely negative consequences of the reckless ban that the NYC Parks Department and Mayor seek to impose on New Yorkers and parks' vulnerable wildlife.<br />
<br />
Abandoned domestic ducks are, of course, not wildlife.<br />
These ducks cannot fly or "forage" like wild ducks and their nutritional needs are greater than those of wild waterfowl. Should the feeding ban pass, these birds are essentially doomed as virtually all depend upon human support, especially in winter.<br />
<br />
What has been so stunning and disappointing throughout this struggle are the number of rescue people, birders and even some feeders who support the ban.<br />
<br />
There seems to be this naive and even elitist belief that the ban will not apply to them.<br />
<br />
During the recent hearing and comment testimonies, a number of birders and rescuers said that they supported the ban, but that they themselves should be exempt because they "only feed nutritious foods" or they only used food in order to rescue.<br />
<br />
This is like a dog owner arguing in favor of Pooper Scooper laws,<br />
"But not for my dog." Or one arguing in favor of wind turbines, "But not in my backyard."<br />
<br />
Such arguments are exercises in contradiction and elitism and tend to carry little weight with decision makers. Indeed the proposed rule makes NO EXCEPTIONS. Not for rescuers, not for birders and not for feeders supporting dumped domestic ducks in parks.<br />
<br />
The proposal was never about what to feed or under what circumstances. It is an outright BAN and it would apply to everyone and under all circumstances. (No allowance even for severe weather.)<br />
<br />
That many birders, rescuers and even Animal Rights people failed to support the effort to defeat this cruel and far-reaching proposal speaks to not only, naivete, but certain arrogance. Most of all, it speaks to misunderstanding of the facts.<br />
<br />
One has to suspect most ban supporters were not around in city parks when so many ducks, geese and other waterfowl starved to death on icy lakes during the Polar Vortex of 2015. -- A winter when thousands of water birds perished in the North East. <br />
<br />
(It is not pleasant to watch animals starve to death. It is something one never forgets.)<br />
<br />
Now, in their zeal to beat down and punish "stupid" people feeding bread or crackers in parks, they condemn many animals to starve from squirrels, to goslings, to domestic ducks and many others as man-made parks are not created to provide food sources for wildlife. On the contrary, many natural food sources (such as foliage at Jackie Onassis Reservoir) have been deliberately removed or destroyed.<br />
<br />
Thus, those rescuers, birders and even feeders who supported ban have argued against their own interests and efforts. ( i.e."self-sabotage.") They will be handed tickets and fines just as anyone else.<br />
<br />
It is unlikely that Ms. Zafonte (profiled in article) will continue feeding after paying hefty fines and threatened with jail time.<br />
<br />
And that will be very bad news for the three domestic ducks at the 59th St Pond in Central Park that she has been feeding for some time and who are reliant on her.<br />
<br />
A pox on all the houses that supported this draconian, reckless and cruel measure that will ultimately harm both, animals in parks as well as the caring humans who tried to help and save them.<br />
<br />
<br />
..............................<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-28192416942385339542019-04-19T02:36:00.000-04:002019-04-19T02:36:47.213-04:00And Then There Were None<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cgldli6b-YQ3_u6fUFVqRaNLxlYKmg50JPAxmxOMvIaM_y9lLc0oBmHTcUR6JQWfbZG5URt3ZNzhDPOKM8FUNERhEEk_y95BWsSTwxUX253PKDuXGetztng5cFOId_azTarAFc-QHUGX/s1600/FB_IMG_1553844189038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="720" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cgldli6b-YQ3_u6fUFVqRaNLxlYKmg50JPAxmxOMvIaM_y9lLc0oBmHTcUR6JQWfbZG5URt3ZNzhDPOKM8FUNERhEEk_y95BWsSTwxUX253PKDuXGetztng5cFOId_azTarAFc-QHUGX/s320/FB_IMG_1553844189038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIoHkuB0TS9gzcpJ13HFGCwisHXqlvhEJKTqpVD2A8U1X4hONbQCXUEoqy7JFi1upr2WFwudmahW6DpqnBp-2xP0dMssPk1TKmrJtuGoNFlGg6OofgRSImWIsMpI-Ebubm0jBJLaASJki/s1600/FB_IMG_1553842880745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIoHkuB0TS9gzcpJ13HFGCwisHXqlvhEJKTqpVD2A8U1X4hONbQCXUEoqy7JFi1upr2WFwudmahW6DpqnBp-2xP0dMssPk1TKmrJtuGoNFlGg6OofgRSImWIsMpI-Ebubm0jBJLaASJki/s320/FB_IMG_1553842880745.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA_Xfhg_AM7s2DwqYyAkmgsUkqTE1dLIc3NDOpa89X_nnhBRCx7znWqNj4UD6MnGxEYvlcQlqlknQ5Rj2fpiFKrleHaR6DiclMYSTlX14aDtyxn28IpQpHZMnOj-ijC1NUoO1MO6q76PZ/s1600/FB_IMG_1553843412477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="739" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA_Xfhg_AM7s2DwqYyAkmgsUkqTE1dLIc3NDOpa89X_nnhBRCx7znWqNj4UD6MnGxEYvlcQlqlknQ5Rj2fpiFKrleHaR6DiclMYSTlX14aDtyxn28IpQpHZMnOj-ijC1NUoO1MO6q76PZ/s320/FB_IMG_1553843412477.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Treasure your photographs. One day they may be all you have."<br />
<br />
I saw the above quote on a Facebook post yesterday. I imagine it was meant to convey the importance of family and friends.<br />
<br />
But it could also apply to park wildlife.<br />
<br />
I realize that so many photographs I have are of animals that no longer exist in Central Park.<br />
<br />
The last swan (whom I had named, "Hector") was harassed out of Harlem Meer in Central Park in the spring of 2014. None have been seen in CP since.<br />
<br />
At one time, several swan families lived on the Boat Lake in Central Park. I have photos of my daughter feeding them in early 1990's.<br />
<br />
" Treasure your photographs. "<br />
<br />
I also have many photographs of Central Park raccoons. Entire families of raccoons from Harlem Meer to the south Pond. I even have a photo of a mama raccoon nursing her juvenile baby from only a few years ago.<br />
<br />
Now mama and baby are both dead along with all the other raccoon families of Central Park.<br />
<br />
Perhaps this 2017 article from the New York Post helps explain why:<br />
<br />
https://nypost.com/2017/09/16/new-york-is-waging-war-against-raccoons/<br />
<br />
New York City has in fact, "waged war" against many park animals in recent years. Swans, raccoons and certainly, Canada geese of which six thousand have been killed over the past decade.<br />
<br />
But where do all these "wars" lead? What is the end goal?<br />
<br />
Parks entirely devoid of birds and other wildlife?<br />
<br />
One of my friends was at the Boat Lake in Central Park yesterday.<br />
She noted "two ducks" and "two geese" on a lake that would normally this time of year contain dozens of waterfowl.<br />
She also noted few birds at all around the Ladies Pavilion in Central Park - a spot normally teaming with all kinds of small birds this time of year. And she also saw only one wary squirrel.<br />
<br />
Mayor deBlasio said in a recent interview, that the city is doing "all it can to eradicate rats in city parks." But what else is the city "eradicating" in the process?<br />
<br />
A Manhattan friend lamented on FB yesterday, all the animals who perished in the Notre Dame cathedral fire in Paris -- and all the animals dying around the world.<br />
<br />
But what about the animals vanishing under our noses and being pushed out of New York City parks? As the saying goes, "Think globally, act locally."<br />
<br />
If everyone did that, it would be a far different world.<br />
<br />
It would be a world in which we didn't have to look at old photographs to remember what was, but is no more.<br />
<br />
<br />
....................<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzNloM5Ra94s4jLLPUGXUPsYa9TrQ_Bc2c8slwpYdTRXoHuDn1Wk011j_S3yaCbNZru_eEOetheCI1i6HRWvL9q1tZJf-TSPGIgS_JWKA6xqTBRssSnVIAyoDMGF_r1CIAPoHWm78kxvz/s1600/FB_IMG_1554160657517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="743" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzNloM5Ra94s4jLLPUGXUPsYa9TrQ_Bc2c8slwpYdTRXoHuDn1Wk011j_S3yaCbNZru_eEOetheCI1i6HRWvL9q1tZJf-TSPGIgS_JWKA6xqTBRssSnVIAyoDMGF_r1CIAPoHWm78kxvz/s320/FB_IMG_1554160657517.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-27590366112390176932019-04-17T23:56:00.000-04:002019-04-17T23:56:44.573-04:00A Tale of Two Cities; Same State<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg518HAz_LhxbCMn2DKZTCCYMn1EJwQTmU16GPO5lxoE71RrxksZsFTua6yE1dcrDNwAg5Qa_8XNlKGe-mD1O2bV3YQg5oQV52KXApI9LIsOEpAbDfbYRhDEpz0uty5gFpJhyZ88j9l8eWz/s1600/FB_IMG_1553844294389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg518HAz_LhxbCMn2DKZTCCYMn1EJwQTmU16GPO5lxoE71RrxksZsFTua6yE1dcrDNwAg5Qa_8XNlKGe-mD1O2bV3YQg5oQV52KXApI9LIsOEpAbDfbYRhDEpz0uty5gFpJhyZ88j9l8eWz/s320/FB_IMG_1553844294389.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sometimes I have a hard time believing I am still in the same state containing New York City.<br />
<br />
The small city in which I live now seems to have such a different attitude towards animals; in fact, towards life in general.<br />
<br />
Animal stories are often featured on the local news in Cortland, NY. The wildlife in the local park is not only provided food by families, but by park employees as well. (Salt sticks are even put out for deer.) Roads near the park contain,"Duck Crossing" signs and pets are generally well cared for with few strays.<br />
<br />
In many ways, Cortland, NY is like throwback to 1950's America.<br />
Most of the houses in this quaint and friendly "railroad" (and now college) town were built in the late 1800's or early 1900's. (Some are now rented out to college students.)<br />
<br />
Cortland is not a booming city. Most of the people who live in Cortland work in nearby Syracuse or Ithaca, are retired or go to school here.<br />
<br />
You won't find skyscrapers in Cortland or people in designer clothes. (Despite frigid, snow-filled winters, I have yet to see one Canada goose coat!) There are small shopping plazas around Cortland allowing one to actually live here without a car. But most people drive.<br />
<br />
Cortland is, in essence, very blue-collar, "Middle America." It's equally divided between Republican and Democrat, Conservative and Liberal, though most people are squarely in the political middle. There seem to be no extremes. There is no pretentiousness.<br />
<br />
I like Cortland. It reflects well who I am. It reminds me of 1950's Austin, Texas where my mother and I spent six months when I was a child. I loved Austin. It was a fun-loving, smallish city and much more "liberal" than NYC; we didn't even wear uniforms in Catholic school! I hated having to return to NYC at only 7-years-old then and cried on the train ride home.<br />
<br />
And yet, more than a year after finally moving away from NYC decades later, I find myself in political battle with it over its proposed, "Wildlife Feeding Ban in city parks." (How cruel and bizarre is this -- especially compared to other parts of the country?)<br />
<br />
Seems as if I had a "love/hate relationship" with NYC all along --which ironically still continues to this day.<br />
<br />
Yesterday's rally in City Hall (NYC) was well attended, with good visuals and excellent speakers, including one Bronx City Councilman supporting the "ban the ban" rally.<br />
<br />
But NYC media failed to cover the rally and reportedly, Mayor deBlasio walked by at one point and didn't even acknowledge.<br />
<br />
Why is none of this surprising? Par for the course, one might say.<br />
<br />
My friend, Liliana tried to attend rally, but her car ride was late and she had trouble getting through security at City Hall. (They must have suspected the 75-year-old cancer victim was hiding guns or bombs in her walker.)<br />
<br />
But Liliana wasn't upset. She has dealt with far worse than this in the forms of aggressive cancer and a Mayor's representative smugly telling her she should "volunteer at the Wild Bird Fund" (a highly physical undertaking) or "take nature hikes with birders." The Mayor seems to have as much regard for senior citizens as he does for pigeons, geese, ducks and squirrels.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, at the still (plant) barren Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park, three determined goose pairs attempt to bring forth new life. But will their efforts once again meet with defeat and death as they did last year?<br />
<br />
Thankfully, I won't be in New York City to personally witness.<br />
<br />
It's 14 months since I left New York City and I don't miss a damn thing about it -- with the lone exceptions of a few known and treasured geese trying to buck the odds and a beloved friend, still too, battling the odds.<br />
<br />
To quote Simon and Garfunkle, "I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains."<br />
<br />
<br />
. ..........................<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKt3PgDJUeC1MI66D2xXbqru8-iJIl1vZxyN52zc0L_SxOO1xkLWlnsihhKzhU9tVcVwud0u8pjR8exMhfiODeCwx3Fbe-zpT9E3Yl8j7Nlyno4TbAypw1-lTv1FMNt_IFLkeN2-tQJQa/s1600/FB_IMG_1554824328732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="750" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKt3PgDJUeC1MI66D2xXbqru8-iJIl1vZxyN52zc0L_SxOO1xkLWlnsihhKzhU9tVcVwud0u8pjR8exMhfiODeCwx3Fbe-zpT9E3Yl8j7Nlyno4TbAypw1-lTv1FMNt_IFLkeN2-tQJQa/s320/FB_IMG_1554824328732.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cKV0vpGq2eoUQtK4Sqfkqa_w71l_WyT8PoJ2QUGml6fJvzEuqNCtxDy4l5K7jzTDjbxQA_RSnAWwzJO4czJ-JipQge3pST_8SmhqXvdnBGVOPkfqu2-G-bP-Htz57baSHUW2KsabNFoV/s1600/FB_IMG_1555531310662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="732" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cKV0vpGq2eoUQtK4Sqfkqa_w71l_WyT8PoJ2QUGml6fJvzEuqNCtxDy4l5K7jzTDjbxQA_RSnAWwzJO4czJ-JipQge3pST_8SmhqXvdnBGVOPkfqu2-G-bP-Htz57baSHUW2KsabNFoV/s320/FB_IMG_1555531310662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iId_61F2Z4oCvb47t4rlIaSdaYzFf6WOeqqcYye8_KLJoiLkl5rZPnmwOBGKSg1Hs7zYifzWi-tHx9iT9wpZMH3k-ndXOBwADc0jM8St7txchM8Rged-9fE4G30-5_Eq3vSoHtcLBUxJ/s1600/FB_IMG_1555478358386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iId_61F2Z4oCvb47t4rlIaSdaYzFf6WOeqqcYye8_KLJoiLkl5rZPnmwOBGKSg1Hs7zYifzWi-tHx9iT9wpZMH3k-ndXOBwADc0jM8St7txchM8Rged-9fE4G30-5_Eq3vSoHtcLBUxJ/s320/FB_IMG_1555478358386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528682233619448192.post-19788890186416451792019-04-16T14:02:00.001-04:002019-04-16T14:02:54.711-04:00Profile in Courage - Liliana Berezovschi<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzjBgpzby42YPxSxKsYILM896BBpb4jCOWpwoKZRwDmmFh7La3G0R4d1qg1Lrey6y5mX6T2Gzq4ibbddUgc6ejwCG_Alu3troPuqMU4bt49aqwSTne6K2pFMqr0gBqbb8RFmTC4CTXPCa/s1600/IMG_8522-719272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzjBgpzby42YPxSxKsYILM896BBpb4jCOWpwoKZRwDmmFh7La3G0R4d1qg1Lrey6y5mX6T2Gzq4ibbddUgc6ejwCG_Alu3troPuqMU4bt49aqwSTne6K2pFMqr0gBqbb8RFmTC4CTXPCa/s320/IMG_8522-719272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Today is the day of the City Hall rally to protect NYC park wildlife and the caring people who feed birds and squirrels.<br />
<br />
I am unfortunately 5 hours away in Cortland, NY. But my friend, Liliana is there, frail and fragile as she is.<br />
<br />
When one considers what Liliana has been through over the past two years, it's a wonder she is still standing: Surgery, radiation, hundreds of chemo treatments, tests and injections. Stuff that would render most star athletes to their knees.<br />
<br />
An immigrant from Romania, Liliana, 75, has known poverty, hardship and hunger much of her life.<br />
<br />
Such have been the primary motivations for her compassion and empathy for struggling and hungry wildlife in Central Park.<br />
<br />
"I know what hunger is," she has said to me many times in her thick Romanian accent without going into details.<br />
<br />
And, "What good is the life without purpose?"<br />
<br />
Liliana was there for me every night during the brutal, "Polar Vortex" winter of 2015 when we struggled to save starving migratory ducks and geese at the then, iced-over Jackie Onassis Reservoir.<br />
<br />
Passers-by thought we were employees of the park.<br />
<br />
"It's nice that the park feeds them," they would say to us.<br />
<br />
That only they knew now that city parks and the Mayor are actually determined to criminalize the very people who feed hungry wildlife in parks. People like Liliana.<br />
<br />
I don't know that any press will cover the rally. I know that Roxanne Delgado (organizer of the effort to oppose feeding ban) has sent out press releases and worked tirelessly to defeat the cruel and feckless proposal from day one.<br />
<br />
But these days, media seems only interested in the latest Trump tweet. Some people campaigning for the rights of pigeons or squirrels to exist seems like joke to them.<br />
<br />
And yet it is about so much more than that.<br />
<br />
It's about all the remaining wildlife in city parks.<br />
<br />
It's about the elderly, infirm and often disabled people who cannot run marathons or "take hikes," but who deeply empathize and connect with the birds or squirrels of city parks. People willing to tredge out in all kinds of weather to ensure no one goes hungry.<br />
<br />
When did things like empathy, kindness, connection and purpose go out of style? When did they become actions to criminalize?<br />
One could argue they are the very qualities that define us as decent human beings.<br />
<br />
This morning Liliana called me to read some prepared remarks she wrote, should she be interviewed by a reporter.<br />
<br />
Let's hope she gets opportunity to say them.<br />
<br />
<br />
................<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVqHpe4l-ZNWdYEQ_9_jfRb3TOU1r9q76wDmwnbTVpZXP5h0xaOhorEu3gw3JRLNEy0fG_E-Zz0SCKFODJBlpdOGpmMsuHBIGnEhxlJrq0otKIaJ9ZR1gh83NKYGhVIEDFzYjRoDMrI9P/s1600/DSCF4716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVqHpe4l-ZNWdYEQ_9_jfRb3TOU1r9q76wDmwnbTVpZXP5h0xaOhorEu3gw3JRLNEy0fG_E-Zz0SCKFODJBlpdOGpmMsuHBIGnEhxlJrq0otKIaJ9ZR1gh83NKYGhVIEDFzYjRoDMrI9P/s320/DSCF4716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzjBgpzby42YPxSxKsYILM896BBpb4jCOWpwoKZRwDmmFh7La3G0R4d1qg1Lrey6y5mX6T2Gzq4ibbddUgc6ejwCG_Alu3troPuqMU4bt49aqwSTne6K2pFMqr0gBqbb8RFmTC4CTXPCa/s1600/IMG_8522-719272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzjBgpzby42YPxSxKsYILM896BBpb4jCOWpwoKZRwDmmFh7La3G0R4d1qg1Lrey6y5mX6T2Gzq4ibbddUgc6ejwCG_Alu3troPuqMU4bt49aqwSTne6K2pFMqr0gBqbb8RFmTC4CTXPCa/s320/IMG_8522-719272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzUsF32Hh_Ffp0IVAcoC5NmMxDqkQfv5bq77_te_BcgvDoQFI9wgH6rgL6Dxlr1AXo4K1ZrgxVkpSX8awXTpwcFF_nHsUoP_zCXLoP9d5yP5R_Me-YGy9YrY1I9joGXab4AJbtDRU5k_t/s1600/IMG_8573-746422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzUsF32Hh_Ffp0IVAcoC5NmMxDqkQfv5bq77_te_BcgvDoQFI9wgH6rgL6Dxlr1AXo4K1ZrgxVkpSX8awXTpwcFF_nHsUoP_zCXLoP9d5yP5R_Me-YGy9YrY1I9joGXab4AJbtDRU5k_t/s320/IMG_8573-746422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />PCAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17396232670224427135noreply@blogger.com0