Just Something About Canada Geese

(Pictures: Sweet reunion. Binky's family, now at Harlem Meer. Daddy, front goose facing water. Easily recognizable by his limp. Presumption is that they returned to Harlem Meer to possible reunite with other family members? "Grandparents," aunts, uncles, grown kids from past matings?) All the resident Canada geese seem now to be concentrated in the one area.)

This morning, I took the dogs to Harlem Meer to spend time with the geese as there are seemingly no (or, at least very few) Canada geese anywhere else in Central Park these days.

There are at least 8 or 9 different families of geese at Harlem Meer now. One of them, I am quite sure, is the family that used to be at Turtle Pond. -- "Binky's" parents and siblings.

How do I know this?

I recognize Daddy's bad left leg. He limps profoundly.

Several of the goslings recognized me this morning and came up to me. They ate some cracked corn from my hand. But, the parents maintained their usual safe distance. Its definitely the same family.

I am relieved to know the family did not fly to Prospect Park or anywhere near the airports.

However, there are a couple of things of which to be concerned: 1-- That Central Park Conservancy might employ the Border Collies to chase all the geese away. 2-- One of the goslings had a fishing wire entangled around one of his feet. (I wonder if this is how Daddy's foot was injured?) Even though the gosling came up to me, I could not get close enough to try and remove the wire nor did I have anything to cut it with. I was upset with this.

As soon as I got home, I called the Park Rangers and Dana Discovery Center. to complain that they are not properly monitoring the people "fishing" at Harlem Meer. Since the so-called "catch and release" fishing started in spring, two out of three of the white ducks disappeared. One swan died of Botulism (probably from the dead or dying fish that are routinely thrown back into the water), the other swan disappeared and now the gosling with the fishing wire around his leg.

The next time I go swimming at the pool at Harlem Meer, I will bring scissors with me and hopefully if I can get close enough to the gosling, I will cut the wire. I know the little guy trusts me, though something like this could be tricky and difficult. Its one thing to pet the geese. Its another, to try and hold down a frightened animal long enough to cut a wire.

I realize many people enjoy fishing. But, what goes on in our public parks is disconcerting and I am sure, nothing comparable to those who might fish for "food." The other day I saw two dead fish floating on top of the water at Harlem Meer at the spot where most of the people fish.

Now, I think I know how the female swan died of Botulism. The swans sometimes ate fish.

Still, it was wonderful to see the geese. -- Especially, the family from Turtle Pond!

I sat on a small rock and took pictures. Another woman took photos with what looked like a professional camera. A group of young people parked their bikes and sat for a while, just enjoying the geese and taking photos. There were even three cops who stopped to stand for a while, watch and chuckle about the geese.

There is something unique about Canada geese. This sense of peace and serenity they engender in anyone sitting and watching them (including the ducks who like to hang around the geese). The way they come up to you. The way they keep their family units together. The ways they communicate with each other. The beauty of them flying across the lake and landing in the water like human water skiers. Their regal and majestic ways. -- Especially, the magnificent ganders -- always on watch.

I just love these birds.

Canada geese are very special. I hate the ways they are being so maligned, persecuted and killed these days.

For the life of me, it is something I will never, never understand. --PCA

******

"We Are Family!"

(Pictures: 1-- A confident and somewhat brazen, Joey coming on to the grass at night now that the Canada geese have returned. 2-- A young boy taking delight in the geese and ducks. 3--A female goose with a mallard swimming closely by.)

The water at Lasker swimming pool in Central Park was icy cold last night, but the action in the surrounding Harlem Meer was hot!

Several families of Canada geese have returned to the lake in recent weeks from wherever they went to breed or molt over most of the summer.

The presence of the geese has brought about a sense of celebration and brazenness, particularly among the lake's normally shy and retiring mallards who now routinely come up on the grass and even sleep on the open embankments near the geese at night.

Even "Joey" the lone white duck on the Meer now trots confidently on the grass at night as opposed to swimming constantly and aimlessly on the water. So brazen is Joey now that he will even chase and harass some of the younger goslings, as if to say, "Hey, don't overstep your bounds! I was here first!"

But, then the two dominant ducks of the Meer, "Brad and Angelina" will quickly put Joey back in his subservient place. He may be "above" the Canada geese, but he is still "below" most of the other ducks.

There is, in fact a lot of jockeying for position at the Meer among both, the geese and the ducks, but it is all in good peaceful fun, no matter how ornery or crazy it may appear at times.

The return of the geese has also prompted and brought out the nature lovers once again to the Meer. People shooting pictures with cameras or cell phones. The wide smile on a young boy's face as he tossed some treats to the birds and delighted in their coming up to him. As noted, even the ducks are far more outgoing and trusting towards people now that the geese are back.

The entire atmosphere of Harlem Meer has, in fact, radically changed over the past couple of weeks since the return of the Canada geese.

To describe in just a few words: Celebration, vitality and energy, confidence and just a wee bit of posturing and feather pecking.

Guess you can't have everything, but what we do have right now is really, really good for all.

Like the cheery old rock song, "We Are Family!"

*********

The Coming of Winter

(Picture Left: Geese and ducks huddled on ice of Central Park Reservoir over the winter.)

Apparently, Binky has gone to a credited farm in the Adirondacks that has taken in similar flightless birds to live out their lives. Binky will be outside during the day and brought into a barn at night for safety. I was given this information a couple of days ago from one of the Central Park Rangers.

Part of me wishes I had known this information before Binky was actually rescued. It would have been reassuring to say "good-bye" to him and give a comforting pat along the feathers of Binky's back. He was such a sweet and endearing gosling. And he knew me. It would have been nice to say to Binky that everything was going to be OK, though we would never see each other again.

I think he would have understood me.

I greatly miss seeing Binky now at Turtle Pond (and the rest of his family), though I know that is pure selfishness. The family had to follow its normal migratory and life paths. And Binky needed to be rescued. Everyday was a lucky one that the young gosling was able to survive on his own in a public park without the use of his wings or the protection of his family.

Last night, the weather turned suddenly cooler in New York after what has been a miserable and hot summer.

A brisk wind blew through the trees causing them to rustle and protest. It reminded one that fall is now about six weeks away.

As I walked around the deserted Reservoir with my dogs (only saw one runner last night and no birds on the water) I remembered back to how it is in winter.

Many migratory Canada geese take up residence in New York City over the winter.

Although most of the ponds and lakes entirely freeze over, for some reason, the Reservoir doesn't. There are always patches of the Reservoir and Harlem Meer that remain unfrozen and those are the two places where most, if not all of the Canada geese and ducks in this area hunker down during the coldest days of winter.

Over the past couple of winters I've observed the Canada geese, ducks and sea gulls that huddled closely together on the mostly frozen ice. There is probably some truth to the adage that "misery loves company" because these birds have it tough over the frigid days of winter. But, the different species seem to take solace in the company, cooperation (and warmth?) of each other. Some of the geese and mallards would swim in the still unfrozen water, but most would sit stoically on the ice, bracing themselves against the cutting winds and biting cold and seemingly trying to conserve energy.

Those times when snow covered the ground and I reasoned food was hard for the birds to get to, I brought bags of bird seed and cracked corn to try and sustain them. It took no time at all for the Canada geese and mallards to recognize me and my two dogs. As soon as we appeared, dozens of geese and ducks would immediately put their fear of dogs aside and "skate" across the ice to quickly get to the snow banks where I tossed the seed.

Within minutes, the sustenance would all be gone. I never had enough seed for all the birds, but it was amazing that there was never any fighting or pushing away among them as we see more typically in the warmer months.

They had to save their energy for the mere act of survival.

I remember one particular evening in late February going to the Reservoir shortly before a predicted, heavy and severe rain storm.

But, the Canada geese didn't need a weather report.

When I got to the still mostly frozen and open Reservoir, the geese were honking to each other frantically.

You could almost imagine them squawking: "There's a major storm coming! We gotta get outta here. Seek cover!"

All of a sudden, they started taking off from the ice in groups of about 6 to 15 geese. Within seconds, all the geese were in perfect "V" formations, the lead geese seemingly choosing destination and the geese towards the back honking encouragement or agreement as they sped along.

Eventually, I lost sight of the geese, but could still hear their haunting, but beautiful calls echoing in the far distance.

It was one of the most incredible things I had ever seen.

Especially since, by the time I and the dogs arrived home, it had started to pour rain with heavy bouts of thunder and lightening.

But, I knew by that time, that the geese and the ducks who followed them were perfectly safe.

A couple of days later, all of the ducks and geese had returned to the Reservoir. The weather had warmed and most of the ice was beginning to melt.

But, the birds would not remain for long.

By the early days of March, all the Canada geese and the ducks were gone from the Reservoir.

They had apparently set out on their spring migrations.

I thought about all these memories last night, while walking my dogs around the then quiet and deserted Reservoir.

I realized that as frigid and unyielding as winter can be, I greatly missed it. I missed seeing the flocks of Canada geese and ducks and seagulls along the water and ice. I missed hearing them call out and take off if there was an impending storm. I missed the safety net of winter.

The question is, will the migratory geese who were here the last two winters be able to make it through and survive the "expanded hunting season" awaiting them when they attempt to fly over New York state skies in just a few weeks?

It is not after all, winter that is the cruelest season despite its biting winds, frozen waters and bitter storms.

It is actually stiff competition among the other three with perhaps fall being the cruelest season of all.

"The guns of Autumn" less than six weeks away.

I can only pray that the geese and ducks I have come to know over the past two years make it through the hail of bullets lying in wait and bruising and puncturing the autumn skies when launched.

Hopefully, there is an angel of mercy who will safely guide the birds along this way. -- PCA

*****

The Protector Needing Protection

Yesterday (Saturday) after running some errands, I returned home and noticed some messages on my phone.

Will get to those later, I thought to myself. More important now to get to Central Park and check up on Binky.

I tossed some wild bird seed in a plastic sandwich bag and headed to Turtle Pond with my dogs, Tina and Chance. Old rock tunes, compliments of CBS radio played through my headphones. "We set on the Sloop John B, my grandfather and me," the Beach Boys sang as I closed the door behind us.

The sun had just set and I therefore expected to find Binky and most of the pond's mallards on the large, open public rocks at the east end of the pond. That seemed to be the pattern of late. Binky was, after all, well on his way to becoming a duck!

But, as we began to approach the patch of rocks on the dark, muggy, Saturday night, I started to get a sinking feeling.

Everything seemed eerily quiet -- as if all the energy had suddenly been sucked from the air. A sense of foreboding came over me.

And there, in the short distance, I could finally make out that the rocks appeared mostly empty. Only the two duck families were on them. Marina and her three older ducklings and "Juno" with the four younger babies.

Where's Binky? Where are the rest of the ducks?

After a few minutes, Marina and her three ducklings took to the water, swimming away in what seemed some sort of mission. Juno, meanwhile stayed on the edge of the rock looking out towards Marina. Did Marina give the younger mother orders to remain while she went off to look for Binky? "That crazy goose. Where the hell is he? He's supposed to protect us!"

But, there was no sign of Binky anywhere or for that matter, all the other ducks that typically reside at Turtle Pond. Where were they all?

I took Tina and Chance over to the small pier at the west side of the pond. Perhaps Binky had returned to the smaller rocks that were actually situated in the water and isolated from the public areas of the park? They of course afforded better general protection and I had seen Binky there before.

But, those rocks too, were completely devoid of any birds.

I then became worried and uneasy. Binky wasn't in his usual places and he wasn't swimming on the pond. Where could he be?

We returned back to the main, public rocks on the hope that we had perhaps missed Binky before. But, of course he wasn't there. Only Juno and her babies were still there at the rocks edge, mere inches from the water. Juno appeared nervous and ready to bolt, so I did not approach the anxious family.

I sat for a while, looking over the then, desolated and empty rocks. T

This was the place that only a couple of nights before was so alive with clattering ducks and a young, flightless goose who was just trying to figure out his way in this new and foreign world. -- a world without his family. A world with this new group of feathered friends who both welcomed Binky and squawked at him as if to remind that Binky was the bottom bird on the totem pole -- the "odd duck out" so to speak.

And yet, the mallards obviously liked hanging out with Binky has they had, the rest of his family. It was a bizarre relationship to figure out. One of mutual need, but also, disdain. "We really like having you here, but don't get in our face. Know your place!"

But, now there was no squawking, clattering or jockeying for position.

There was no family of geese taking their position at the top of the rocks, while the mallard moms and ducklings rested towards the bottom seemingly happy and peaceful to have the protection of the geese -- especially the ever vigilant papa goose.

There was just darkness, an eerie silence and an obviously nervous mother duck seemingly waiting for something -- the return of Marina and her family, or better yet, Marina, ducklings and Binky?

For some crazy reason, I too, felt less safe in the park than I normally do, especially when the geese were there. There was just something less welcoming and more foreboding about it now.

A large bird took off from somewhere around the pond and flew towards the skies. I could only make out its hazy silhouette against the background of dark clouds. It was either a night heron or red tailed hawk on the prowl.

Suddenly, "Love is Blue" came over the radio and I found myself once again tearing up.

I had really loved the family of geese and especially their wingless child, Binky. Where had they and it (the love) all gone?

There was no question about it now. Both, the family of geese and Binky were gone. -- Perhaps forever. Even the ever-cautious and wily ducks seemed to know that. I figured most of the mallards were probably hiding out in the long grasses and marshes surrounding the pond. The open rocks, without the geese (or even one flightless gosling) were no longer safe for them.

The walk towards home with the dogs seemed long and deserted. There were even very few runners on the running path surrounding the Reservoir. A part of me considered walking north to Harlem Meer, just to enjoy the Canada geese and ducks up there. Since the return of the geese, life at the meer had suddenly become one big, lively party! So much "life" as contrasted to the now disquiet of Turtle Pond and the Reservoir -- especially without the geese.

And without the geese, the ducks too, seemed to disappear or at least, maintain a very low and quiet profile. A few ducks swam lazily upon the water of the Reservoir seemingly without direction.

But, the hour was late and my dogs were showing some fatigue from the warm, sticky weather.

Bobby Fuller Four sang, "I Fought the Law" (and the law won) on the radio. How appropriate, I sadly thought.

We returned home.

I went to check messages on my phone, expecting to hear the usual. "I'm calling about a dog we saw on Petfinders" or, "I'd like to know if your shelter can take in any cats?"

But, the first message was from an urban Central Park Ranger named, Sunny.

"I'm calling about the goose with Angel Wing at Turtle Pond that we spoke about a couple of weeks ago. We finally connected to the sanctuary and he was relocated Saturday, the 21st....If you have any questions, feel free to call us........." The voice sounded open and cheerful.

How ironic that I did not listen to messages before leaving for Turtle Pond! Binky had apparently been rescued!

I sat down to consider the new and startling information.

Although Binky was showing amazing resilience, courage and adaptability to his situation and though he might well have been able to survive throughout the rest of the summer and into fall, there is little question that Binky would not have survived the winter when Turtle Pond would inevitably freeze over and the ducks would have to leave to find unfrozen waters.

It is better that Binky is rescued now before getting too comfortable and cozy with the ducks who would only be forced to desert him later. Binky is only three months old. There is plenty of time for him to adjust to a new environment, new people and new animals. Hopefully and presumably there are geese at the sanctuary. Binky can return to being a goose.

But, while the missed call represents good news for Binky, I am not so sure about the ducks at Turtle Pond.

Remembering Marina swimming determinedly on the pond last night with her three surviving ducklings behind her and Juno waiting anxiously at the rock's edge, I can't help but wonder if they too, were seeking Binky?

"Where the hell are you?" I could imagine Marina squawking in avian language. "Get your butt over to the rocks!"

Hopefully, other geese will arrive soon as they did at Harlem Meer to both protect and amuse/annoy Marina and the rest of the mallards. Yes, the ducks both seem to love and hate the geese and I think the reverse is also somewhat true.

The geese say, "These ducks are pains in the butt. But, they know their way around the turf and they know the good guys and bad guys here."

The ducks say, "Yeah, we like having the damned geese here. They help us feel more safe and secure. But, they are so full of themselves and they think they own the lake! We'll show them who's boss!"

Actually, I don't think either the ducks or geese will ever admit to actually liking each other.

But, they sure as hell seem to need each other and do much better when the other is around -- "pain in the ass" or not.

As for Binky, I am just glad to know that he is at long last, safe.

Sometimes, it is the protective Canada goose who in fact, is the one who most needs the protection. -- That only we could explain that to the ducks. --PCA

******

******

An Avian Party on a Summer Night!

(One of the two dozen or so Canada geese at Harlem Meer last night. Did they invite the ducks to an avian party?)

Last night, there was a seeming "avian party" at Harlem Meer.

When leaving Lasker swimming pool, I discovered several families of Canada geese near the edge of the south side of the meer.

Along with the geese, were seemingly all the ducks of the meer!

The ducks seemed in especially high and energized spirit, scooting around on the grass and occasionally chasing each other as they do in early spring.

Even Joey, the lone white duck (or goose) abandoned his usual swimming spot in the lake to come up on the grass and investigate what was going on. He walked and frolicked around quite cheerfully and confidently on the grass.

For all the bad raps that Canada geese take for "chasing out" other water fowl in the parks, the facts don't bear out the accusation.

Both, at Turtle Pond and Harlem Meer, the mallards seem to enjoy and actually gravitate towards the Canada geese!

For their part, the geese don't pay much attention to the ducks. They are too busy watching out for any potential dangers (such as people walking by with unleashed dogs), nibbling on the grass and occasionally chasing and nipping each other in what seems playful displays of establishment of order and hierarchy.

I sat on a nearby bench for about a half hour just taking in the whole amusing scene in a kind of awe. However, at one point, I went to gently "chase" Joey closer to the water. Unlike the other birds, Joey cannot fly and it worried me a little to see him bravely (or foolishly?) venturing far into the grass area. Though Joey might feel more confident with the geese around, the fact is, the geese are mainly concerned with protecting themselves from any perceivable threat. Their "job" is not to watch out for the ducks -- especially a flightless one.

Indeed, there was such a large congregation of happy, seemingly dancing birds on the south side of the meer last night, human passers-by, whether on bike or foot, took slight detours so as not to "crash" or disturb the party.

Indeed, the only thing missing was the music! -- PCA

*****

Sex Discrimination Among Ducks?

(Picture Left: Binky making his way with the mallards at Turtle Pond.)

Well, as said the other day, Binky is well on his way to becoming a duck.

Last night, when walking with my dogs near the open rock patches at the east side of Turtle Pond, I was surprised to find seemingly all the ducks of the pond scattered around the rocks -- and right in the middle of the bunch was Binky!

This was both good news and bad news.

The good news was that Binky was not alone and had company. Canada geese are flock birds who need to be in a family, group or pair. They generally will not do well as "loners."

The bad news is this particular rock area is open to the public and that could leave Binky, who, after all, cannot fly vulnerable to dogs or human thugs.

I didn't worry about this when Binky had the protection of his family on the rocks at night. But, I don't feel so confident about a flock of mallards being able to "protect" Binky should something go wrong. The ducks would simply scurry in the water quickly or be able to fly away if necessary. Generally too, ducks are more wary of humans than Canada geese. I hope Binky picks up that caution from the ducks.

Marina, the mama duck with three mostly grown ducklings seems to be the "alpha" bird in this group of all female ducks and the one Canada goose. (Marina was the duck who seemingly summoned the entire goose family over the weekend to return to the rocks as the coast was clear). She squawks orders to the rest of the flock and is the first one to eat.

Even among ducks, there is a hierarchy with presumably, the oldest "mama" at the top of the heap.

A friend told me recently, that after laying eggs, female mallards will chase the drakes away.

That seems to be true as I have never seen a mama duck with a mate, so to speak. They are very different from Canada geese in that way. The geese mate for life and both parents play critical roles in raising the young. But, it seems all the female ducks chase the males away during the "child rearing" season. There are very few drakes to be seen these days either at Turtle Pond or Harlem Meer.

Presumably, the drakes will be allowed to return during the fall and winter. ;)

I don't know if Binky is a boy or girl, but if a male, he seems to have a "harem" to hang out with and enjoy -- even if they are not his particular species.

And at least for their part, the female ducks are not chasing the goose away. -- Perhaps Binky really is a girl. -- PCA

*****

Save the Geese! -- IDA New Website

In Defense of Animals has just launched a new website especially devoted to saving the geese.

Please go to the site and support in whatever way you can:

http://www.idausa.org/geese/geese.html

Thank you!