Mother's Day -- But, Not for Central Park Geese

Mary, last May, confused and perplexed with empty, unviable eggs at Reservoir in Central Park.

She stayed with broken eggs for two days.

Mary and her mate, John seeming to grieve together over lost eggs. This year they are nesting again in same place. Hope springs eternal.

It is a lovely, sunny Mother's Day in New York City.

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Later, I look forward to hearing from my daughter.  We will discuss weather, singing contestants on The Voice and possibility of she and her husband buying a home this year.

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But, it is not a cheerful day -- especially in light of the mysterious deaths of two nesting goose hens (and loss of their eggs) in Central Park over past two weeks.

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I do not anticipate new goslings in Central Park this year despite the three currently nesting goose hens there.  Rather, it is expected that like last year, all goose eggs will be addled (oiled) and fail to hatch.  Would-be goose parents will be left to wonder and grieve over their tattered egg remains and hold what appear to be, small funerals.  But few, if any humans will notice, much less care.

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For nearly a month, I have repeatedly asked Central Park Conservancy officials if eggs are being oiled this year and if so, why, considering there are less than 15 geese in the entire 838 acre park? 

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But, directness and honesty have not been forthcoming as have been, stonewalling and unkept promises to "discuss."

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It doesn't require a brain surgeon to surmise CP spokespersons don't want to divulge news they anticipate the recipient doesn't want to hear.

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Communications with "Sunny," the Urban Park Ranger the other day were equally frustrating when begging aid to rescue the dying goose, Floozie at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir.

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Sunny's claim of "no access" to Reservoir is dubious considering that landscapers cut down most of the trees last year growing through rocks at the Reservoir, as well as goose eggs were apparently oiled on those same rocks. 

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Obviously, some people have access, but not for rescue of injured or dying birds.  

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Sunny (like her name) attempted to be upbeat and positive in the conversation, if not entirely honest.

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When questioned why Geese Police has boats to harass geese on the water, but park rangers don't have boats for rescue of distressed and suffering water birds, Sunny's cheerful reply was, "But, Geese Police has not had to use the boats at all this year!"

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One has to suspect that even those who hate geese might question money spent and use of boat to chase and harass two geese on a huge lake.

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Although Geese Police patrols Central Park everyday with their vans, boats and dogs, the truth is there is virtually nothing for them to actually "do" with so few geese in the park.

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More than once, the guys from Geese Police have stood beside their vans, enjoyed the scenery while drinking coffee.  -- An easy living, one might guess.

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But, this is not to deride or mock Geese Police as there are places where their goose harassment and egg destruction services might be warranted and actually help to stave off a potential USDA WS roundup and slaughter of geese.

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Rather, it is to say the services of Geese Police could be put to better and more appropriate use in Central Park. -- Especially, their presumed expertise with boats and ownership of them.

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For example:

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Although some might believe that regular police mainly arrest people and write out tickets, the truth is that more often than not, cops are called in to aid people in some way such as defusing disputes, maintaining control at large public events or even on occasion, delivering babies.

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So why couldn't the services of Geese Police also be used in positive manner -- such as to occasionally aid in rescue of injured or sick bird on water?

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Why pay these guys to stand around and drink coffee while at the same time, telling people who call for rescue help that you have "no access" or "means" to retrieve a dying bird on water?

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These were questions also posed to Central Park Conservancy, which, like all others, have been completely dismissed and gone unanswered.

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Last week, while monitoring the nesting goose at west side of the Reservoir (Mary) I met a fellow goose lover.

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"Nita" told me she treasured the geese in Central Park and was extremely distressed with all the harassment and egg destruction perpetrated against them for what is now, years.

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"Have you called or written the Conservancy about these grievances?" I asked.

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"No, what's the use?" Nita answered.  "They don't care.  What I have done is stopped donating.  When they send solicitations for money, I write a note on the pamphlet and send it back."

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"Well, its good that you do that." I replied -- though fully realizing such "note" would only be read by a receptionist or other low level staffer and tossed into the trash.

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But, a week later, I am now thinking Nita was right. 

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Despite "spinning wheels" for a long time trying to respectfully discuss issues with park officials and asking questions, I am no further along than Nita's scribbled note ending up in the garbage.

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But, at least Nita didn't waste the time I did and she didn't waste hope.

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I am completely sad and frustrated. I dread the soon arriving day of seeing would-be goose parents mourning over their unviable and tattered eggs once again.

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 "Motherhood" for them, never to be in Central Park.  -- PCA

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Jackie Onassis Reservoir -- A Not-So-Peaceful Place for Birds to Die

The body of funny little Floozie this morning as turtles chew on her remains. Though "assured" by Park Ranger that Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park is "peaceful place for water birds to die" (when harassed or banished from everyplace else), this death appeared anything but "peaceful."

 A few days ago, I attempted to make light of and even joke about the otherwise grim situation for the water birds of Central Park -- especially the forever maligned and harassed Canada geese.

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It was puzzling to note one particular goose pair at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir seeming not to take their nesting duties too seriously.

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I named the couple, "Floozie and Bozo" because the female frequently left her week-old eggs to graze or even aid her gander in chasing off another goose couple.

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It was speculated that perhaps the pair was very young and inexperienced in nesting.  --Perhaps Floozie and Bozo simply weren't quite ready for the rigors and stressors that nesting and raising young required?   Floozie, after all, had already lost three eggs previously laid during or immediately following a severe rain storm.

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All of these may have been true to small degree, but there was far more than immediately met the eye.

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Two evenings ago, I returned to the Reservoir and was surprised that both, Floozie and her gander were together in the water some distance away from the nest.

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Look at that! I thought.  Off on a romantic jaunt while leaving their four eggs totally exposed!

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But, as I walked closer to the goose pair, I could almost immediately tell something was very wrong.

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When looking at Floozie, it was deja vu. -- like seeing Camille,  just prior to the formerly nesting goose dying.

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Like Camille, Floozie was listless and nearly immobile on the water seeming to drift with the currents.

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Feeling sense of alarm, I tossed a small handful of cracked corn on the rocks, but only Bozo, the gander, came to eat.  It was clear Floozie had no interest in or capability to eat -- something very unusual for her as "calorie loading" was important for goose hens just prior to or during early phases of nesting.

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Oh my God.  Could this be happening again?  And only one week after losing Camille?

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I tried hard not to panic, drumming up explanations to myself for why this was happening.

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But, there was no laughing nor jokes.  And all the rationalizations seemed more wishful thinking than anything with real merit.

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I decided to walk around, check on the other few geese at north side of the park (who were all OK) and return later to Floozie and Bozo.

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But, more than a hour later, the scene was no different.

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Floozie had obviously abandoned her nest entirely, while her gander, simply appeared confused, but stayed by her.

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It is (as previously noted), a very grave sign when a nesting goose completely abandons her eggs not to return at all.

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Yesterday morning, I returned again to the Reservoir to find the situation virtually unchanged from the night before.  Only this time, the four eggs were gone from the nest as Bozo patrolled helplessly nearby.  Floozie was a short distance away, bobbing weakly on short waves and drifting almost lifelessly on water.

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Unable to lie to myself any longer, I immediately returned home and called the Urban Park Rangers -- though I knew such call would virtually be fruitless in getting help for Floozie.

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It was surprising to actually get a live person on the phone.

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"Hi, this is Sunny," the lilting, cheerful voice answered.

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Explaining to Sunny, the reason for my distress call, I begged immediate rescue assistance for Floozie as I was certain she would be dead within a day or two.

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As fully expected, Sunny explained that Park Rangers "do not have access" to the Reservoir for rescue.  (Nor do they have boats to retrieve sick or injured birds from any watercourse.)

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The Reservoir is entirely surrounded by iron gating, as well as rocky inclines.

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Frustrated, I questioned how this was possible considering that the Reservoir is the one watercourse in the entire park where both migratory and resident water birds seek safety as they are harassed everywhere else.

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Sunny was very aware that water birds (including thousands of migratory geese, ducks and other birds) seek out the Jackie Onassis Reservoir because it is the safest place in park for them.   (No dogs, no Geese Police and no fishing.)

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"But, it is a Catch 22," she said. "If they are sick or injured, we have no access.  At least they have a peaceful place to die."

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"Peaceful place to die."

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The words stunned me.

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I emphatically told Sunny this was "not acceptable" for one of the most prestigious parks in the world. The birds have a hospital to go for treatment (Wild Bird Fund) only a few blocks from Central Park. "There needs to be protocol for rescue and to get them there!" I said with firmness in my voice.

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That Central Park has Geese Police (with a boat) to harass geese year round and oil eggs, but nothing to rescue these and other birds when dying on Reservoir (and other watercourses) is utterly disgraceful and certainly not what one would expect from a so-called, "Conservancy."

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It cannot be known why two nesting geese seemingly die within a week of each other in Central Park and why so many eggs are already lost. (That is also frustrating because it is important to know why certain wildlife is suddenly dying in a public park.)

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One can only guess the stresses of a particularly bad winter which took out thousands of water birds and probably left many others malnourished (especially if and for nesting). -- That in combination with and in addition to the stresses of hunting, "culling" and constant harassment of geese almost everywhere else.  But it is impossible to actually know.

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Late last night, I returned to Reservoir not to find Floozie at all on the east side where she had been.

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But, her gander (now called, "Bozi") was standing silent vigil on rocky site where their nest had previously been.  He peered out onto the dark water seemingly waiting for Floozie's return.

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This morning, I returned again to search for Floozie.

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This time, I found her lifeless body at the north west side of Reservoir, (where Camille had drifted the week before) turtles slowly devouring it.

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The bloody image stunned and gave the impression of anything but a "peaceful" death. 

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Rather, it appeared Floozie had partially been eaten alive.

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Returning to the east side of Reservoir, Bozi, her devoted gander, was still standing hopeless vigil in the same place, his potential offspring now gone forever and his mate never to return, despite the dutiful wait.

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To add injury to profound sense of personal loss, a jogger running the wrong way on the Reservoir, suddenly bumped my shoulder and nearly knocked me over.

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He continued running without so much as apology.

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Grief suddenly replaced by anger, I turned around and hurled a bunch of expletives at him. 

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Finally trying to exit Central Park at 90th Street (one of main crosswalks), there was still another running marathon occurring making it nearly impossible to cross without dodging and running between marathoners.

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"Does it ever occur to you that some of us are sick of this shit?"  I shouted to a volunteer trying to presumably prevent collisions between marathoners and regular park pedestrians  trying to enter or leave the park.

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It suddenly dawned on me why one doesn't see too many senior citizens these days strolling leisurely and slowly through Central Park.

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The perennial "walk in the park" seems to be slowly going the same way as the geese.

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They should put up signs:

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"In addition to geese and other wildlife unwelcomed in this park, neither are elderly people and those with any medical conditions as you need to be fast, young and fit to dodge constant stream of speeding cyclists and runners.  Better that you walk at Times Square."

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(Instead of being called, "Central Park Conservancy," this entity should truthfully be called, "Central Park Outdoor Sports Venue" or "Central Amusement Park." -- Bring on the hunters, exercise machines and Ferris Wheels.)

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But, of course the real anger and frustration has little actually to do with runners, cyclists or others using the park for some sort of amusement or entertainment.

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It has everything to do with the callous and indifferent attitudes towards the innocent wildlife trying to survive in this bucolic setting as most of their otherwise natural habitats have been taken over by development or destroyed.

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But, there is ultimately no peace for the animals either in Central Park -- especially the geese. 

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Rather, a not-so-peaceful place for them to die -- the Jackie Onassis Reservoir now seemingly a hospice for dying water birds otherwise displaced and harassed from everywhere else.

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Rest in peace, my funny little Floozie.

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May you somehow find the "peace" and appreciation so denied to you in this life and in this steel, frosty and ultimately, heartless world.   -- PCA

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The Goose Parenting Playbook -- Not All Play By the Rules

Floozie taking time for manicure while on eggs.

Floozie taking another "break" from rigors of nesting while mallard and grackle wander nest area.  Her gander, Bozo was some distance away grazing.

Although the resident goose population in Central Park is currently very low (less than 20) virtually all the geese are paired off, including the most recent pairing, Brad (the recently widowed gander) and Gabrielle, his seeming savior or angel.

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But, what about some of the other pairs?  It's been a while since writing about any of them.

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Well, first, a quick update on Napoleon and Josephine at Harlem Meer:

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Napoleon and Josie were among the very first geese to actively and diligently prepare for nesting and it was of course, no surprise when they actually did.  

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I haven't seen Josephine at all for at least three weeks. 

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As was true last year, Josie has once again nested on the small tree island towards the west side of the lake, very well hidden from public view.  I have never observed Josie to leave her eggs and venture on the water (though it might be expected she has on a few and brief occasions).

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Her gander, Napoleon has been like a statue over this entire time, constantly "on guard" just a few feet off the island, virtually never moving from the spot.

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If not oiled by Geese Police, their eggs should be among the first to hatch in Central Park, somewhere around the 20th of May, give or take a few days.

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As Napoleon and Josephine are experienced and extremely diligent, protective nesters, if any eggs have chance to hatch in Central Park, it is theirs.

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But, much remains to be seen considering the park and their vendor's tendency to oil (i.e. destroy) all goose eggs.

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I personally have fingers crossed for Napoleon and Josephine as they will no doubt, be exemplary goose parents. They have, in short, done everything right.

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Another pair of experienced nesters are John and Mary at the western portion of the Jackie Onassis Reservoir, who, as last year, returned to the same site this year to nest.

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Similar to Napoleon and Josephine at the Meer, Mary also laid her eggs around the same time and if viable, the eggs should hatch around the last week of this month.

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There was concern (because of their vulnerable placement on rocky cliff close to water) that Mary might have lost her eggs in the torrential rain storm of last week.  But, that didn't happen -- as it did to another nesting goose pair at the Boat Lake in Central Park.

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Like Josephine, at Harlem Meer, Mary virtually never leaves her nest save for a very quick dip in the water.  Before doing that, she makes sure her eggs are completely covered and hidden from view by carefully pulling down over them.

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Mary's gander, John, constantly patrols the waters on the west side of the Reservoir. Occasionally he returns close to the nest should Mary need help in chasing off a raccoon or a few pesky mallards.

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Should their eggs actually hatch, John and Mary should make excellent parents (like Napoleon and Josephine) as they have followed all the rules in the goose parenting playbook.

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Sadly however, we cannot say the same for all the currently nesting geese in Central Park.

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Seeming not to follow any of the "rules" in the goose parenting playbook are "Bozo and Floozie" currently nesting in perhaps the most public place in all of Central Park -- the 90th Street main entrance on the east side or Reservoir.

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It is not certain what inspired these two take up nesting in such a highly visible public arena -- unless they just like to put on a show for tourists, joggers and lovers stopping to take photographs.

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So far, Floozie has already lost three eggs laid seemingly around the time of the rain storm and likely flooded due to lack of attention and care.

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A few days later, Floozie dropped four more eggs and seems as inattentive to these as the first batch.

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She frequently leaves her nest and eggs to graze on the grass growing through rocks or just to lazily observe what's going on in the water.  For sure, Floozie will not be one of those goose mamas losing 25% of her body weight through the rigors of nesting.  She hasn't missed a meal yet.  

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Yesterday, Floozie completely abandoned her nest and eggs to join her mate, Bozo in chasing Brad and Gabrielle out of their territorial domain on the east side of Reservoir.

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The loud honking and wild commotion on the water was something to behold!

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Floozie was far more interested in aiding and cheering her gander on in the territorial squabbling than actually paying attention to her eggs.

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All this while mallards were freely walking around her nest.  Were any raccoons in the vicinity, Floozie's eggs were exposed and unprotected for easy picking (although this time, she actually covered them with down -- unlike past days). 

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When there is nothing else to garner her fleeting attention, Floozie does (reluctantly?) sit on her eggs. ("No one ever told me nesting would be this boring and time consuming!")

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But, quite frankly, I don't have a whole lot of confidence these four eggs will ultimately hatch -- regardless of whether or not Geese Police actually oils them.

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One suspects Bozo and Floozie are "teenage" parents who have little real interest in the heavy responsibilities of parenting.  If, by some miracle, the eggs magically hatch, it would not surprise if Bozo and Floozie drop off their hapless goslings on the more mature and responsible goose parents at the Reservoir -- John and Mary -- and simply take off.

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Napoleon and Josephine, were they to witness any of this, would be absolutely horrified.  

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All the rules of the goose parenting playbook, simply tossed to wind, Bozo and Floozie seemingly have better things to do than to take on for the long haul, the burdens of parenthood.  "Whatever will be, will be," seemingly their motto. "We live by the seat of our wings."

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In short, it should not surprise when occasionally seeing photographs or videos of goose parents with 20 or more goslings.  For sure, the mama did not lay and hatch 20 eggs.

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More than likely, they are simply the hapless bearers of either "boomerang" kids dropping off grand kids on them or adopters of the goslings of, "We live by the seat of our wings!" teenage goose parents.

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What is true in the human world of parenting seems apparently true in the goose world as well.  Not everyone is cut out to be "Mom" or Dad" of the year and thankfully, there are others who, when necessary, are willing to step in and take over the formidable tasks of parenthood. -- PCA

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On the Wings of an Angel?

"Gabrielle" -- Mystery new goose at Jackie Onassis Reservoir who somehow found the grieving Brad.

Brad at top of rock and Gabrielle near water grazing together in area of recent loss.

Over the years, I have observed, read, photographed and learned all I thought possible to know about Canada geese.

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But, none of it prepared for what was observed yesterday at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park.

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As related in last blog entry, we sadly lost a nesting goose hen (Camille) several days ago at the Reservoir.  Though impossible to know what actually killed Camille, I personally suspect it might have had something to do with lack of sufficient nutritional build-up to sustain her through rigors of nesting (due to past brutal winter which kept geese moving to find food and open water).  Or, she might have been old or died from impacted egg that failed to drop.   It doesn't appear Camille died from some kind of infectious disease (as other birds are OK) or direct human cruelty.

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But, as sad as I felt over the loss of Camille, I was even more distressed for her surviving gander, Brad who not only lost his potential offspring, but his life mate as well.

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For several days, I watched as Brad forlornly patrolled the waters near the nesting site looking lost and alone.  

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As there are recently few geese in Central Park and virtually all are already paired up and territorial, Brad's chances of finding a new mate or even a goose flock to assimilate with at this time were dismal at best.

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Long term survival for "loner geese" is not good as sadly learned last summer with Cago at Harlem Meer.

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So what would become of Brad?

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I didn't know.  Hope was that he would eventually give up the mourning, leave Central Park and with luck, find a new goose flock elsewhere and succeed in efforts to fit it and be accepted.

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A long shot, but not entirely without hope.

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When first walking near the former nesting site last night, I did not see Brad in his usual area.  It was hoped that he had indeed "taken the leap" and left the Reservoir in search of new goose companionship somewhere outside of Central Park.

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Then, all of a sudden, I heard loud, kind of enthusiastic honking coming from the middle of the water.

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"Here, here, I'm over here!  Wait...I'm coming!"

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I saw, what was surely Brad quickly swimming in my direction.

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But, he was not alone!

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There was another goose slowing trailing behind him!

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I was completely baffled.   Who was this other goose? 

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For several weeks, there have only been six geese at the Reservoir, all of them paired up.

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At first, I thought the other goose might be "John" the gander from the west side who was in charge of guarding that territory for his nesting mate, Mary.

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But, were that the case, the action would be far, far more aggressive -- not leisurely trailing behind. 

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As I had already seen the goose pair from the east side, I knew it was neither of them.

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The two geese continued to come to me, Brad, confidently leading the way, the mystery goose, a few feet behind.

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Finally, they arrived to the rocky incline I was standing over and Brad pranced up the jagged edges and issued a greeting.

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Noting how tentative the other goose was to navigate the tricky rocks, it was obvious the goose was new to the environment, but still trying to follow Brad's lead.  

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Even more noteworthy, the goose was a female.

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She was smallish in stature and appeared rather thin.

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But, she was obviously looking to Brad for guidance and leadership through the new, unfamiliar terrain and he was obviously obliging.

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I tossed a few kernels of cracked corn to both geese, Brad quickly scooping them up and his new companion (taking his lead) tentatively taking a couple.

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But, I was still completely baffled as never having seen this type of thing before nor even read about it.

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What were, after all, the chances of another "loner" goose suddenly flying into the Reservoir during typical nesting (non-migratory) season and finding the one gander who had lost his mate only four days before?

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Add to that, the mystery goose certainly appeared to be a girl.

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Realizing that the chances for that happening are just about zero with birds who are nearly always (barring tragedy or loss) in flocks or pairs, I still questioned what I was actually observing.

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Perhaps this wasn't really Brad at all and some mystery life saving "angel" dropping out of the sky, but actually John and Mary from the west side of Reservoir?   Perhaps Mary had also lost her eggs and the two geese were reunited again?

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Incredulous to that just witnessed, I finally left the two geese sharing a last few morsels of treat to go to the west side of Reservoir to check on John and Mary.

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But, Mary was still on her nest and John was swimming and patrolling nearby as he always does.

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There was little question that the gander seen a few minutes before was indeed, Brad, but still no clue as to who the new goose could possibly be.

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I then returned back to the south side of Reservoir (Brad and Camille's former area) to find Brad and his mysterious new lady peacefully swimming together, she a few feet behind him.

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No words or explanation for any of this. Nor guesses as to what will be.

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Later, I shared the observations with my friend and fellow goose lover, Liliana over the phone and asked her thoughts.

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Replied Liliana:

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"I think, Patty, that Camille's soul could not bare the suffering of her gander all alone and sent an angel in this new goose to help and provide Brad companionship."

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Because I have nothing better, that is as good an explanation as any.

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And with that in mind, I will probably name the new girl, "Gabriele" (or Gabby for short), presuming she sticks around -- which I believe she will.

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As they say, "The Lord acts in mysterious ways."

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Who are we to actually question -- as opposed to simply accepting and taking relief and joy in?  -- PCA

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They Only Abandon Their Eggs When Dying -- In Memory of Camille

Camille with newly layed eggs last week.

The eggs that will now never hatch.

Camille (top) and Brad shortly after she abandoned eggs.

Last photo of Camille while alive. The next day, she was dead.

It is a chilly, raw, blustery and rainy day in NYC.

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Perfect setting for what there is to report.

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Camille died yesterday.

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Camille is the goose who had returned to Reservoir with her gander to nest (One of two nesting pairs.)   She laid six eggs which were discovered last week -- and ultimately doomed.

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Two days ago, Camillle abandoned the nest.

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I was concerned about this because nesting Canada geese rarely, if ever abandon their eggs.  I was also concerned because Camille appeared listless and weak in water, bobbing up and down and drifting with currents.

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I tried to console myself with the knowledge that such behavior (resting, drifting with tides) is commonly observed in migratory geese -- though in their case, it is due to exhaustion from flying thousands of miles and need for rest.

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I consulted with a rehabber and someone knowledgeable on geese who advised to watch Camille over next couple of days. Since the goose did not have obvious injury or show visible cause for emergency rescue, it was hoped she would bounce back. Perhaps Camille was just depressed from having to abandon eggs for whatever unknown reason.

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But, I had a very "bad feeling" about this -- as I did with Brad at Harlem Meer shortly before he died, almost two years ago.

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And yet, with Camille in an inaccessible place at the Reservoir, there was no way for a lay person to get to her for rescue.

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From past experience, I also know Park Rangers don't have boats to rescue sick/injured birds on water.  --  It seems only those whose job it is to harass or destroy geese and their eggs have boats.

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And so it was a personal quandary.

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When leaving for the Jackie Onassis Reservoir yesterday on an overcast and dank day, I anticipated seeing Camille again and hopeful she would be a bit better.  Perhaps a rest in the water might have done her body good and restored some of the energy lost in nesting?

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But, truth was, I was prepared for anything......

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I first saw Camille's gander, Brad, (so named after the Harlem Meer duck, several times a "widower" in years past) still patrolling the area around the nest and appearing somewhat lost and confused.

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But, I could not see Camille anywhere. 

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I then followed direction of currents, walking to the far north west portion of Reservoir,

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And there she was, lying belly up in the water, her head invisible and below the surface.

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Camille was dead.

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All I could think of then is the endless persecution, egg destruction and massacre these noble, valiant  birds have been subjected to in NYC over the past ten years and the irrational hatred directed towards them.

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Camille had survived most of that.

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She and her gander even survived this past brutal winter.

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After likely having their eggs addled and destroyed over past few years in Central Park, Camille and Brad bravely returned to try still once again. 

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Only in the process this time, she died.

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My heart is breaking.

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Breaking for all the torment, harassment, vilification, slaughter and sheer ignorance directed towards and heaped upon these birds non-stop. Breaking for all the cold, callous indifference -- like the day itself today. 

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Breaking that in her final, hopeful and courageous effort, Camille could only know loss once again.  Loss of not just her eggs, this time, but her own precious and jealously guarded life.

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Her gander now wanders the confines of the Reservoir, calling out and looking lost and alone -- the sight of a lone gander patrolling stormy waters this time, not reflection of potential new life, but rather loss of it.

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The rain falls, trying to cleanse. And the winds whisk, trying to push away the evidence.

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But, still the tattered remains lay, silently, but inexorably, brushing against the jagged rocks.

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Testimony to our hate, destruction, indifference and intolerance towards much of natural wildlife.  

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I pray that somewhere, Camille is able to fly again.  To a place of the welcome, warmth, peace and love that she was so denied in this life.

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And I pray that Camille is somehow united with all the babies she so tried to bring into this intolerant world -- even in her fading moments -- but who, in the end, were never to be born.

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I learned something valuable this week.  Something now burned into unpleasant memory forever.

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I learned Canada geese only abandon their eggs and nest when dying. -- PCA



                                             


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What Do Nesting Geese Think About?

Mary checking eggs and primping nest at Reservoir.

John, her gander chasing off an intrusive mallard.

Mary enjoying the sun.

John on sentry duty.

What does a Canada goose think about when sitting 28 days on her eggs and nest?

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I have often wondered about this.

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As mere mortal human accustomed to all kinds of freedom of movement, tech niceties and diversions in life, I imagined that being confined to one spot for an entire month might represent the epitome of both boredom and sense of imprisonment.

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But, now I am not so sure.

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One of the goose pairs who nested at the Central Park Reservoir last year has returned and "Mary" is once again sitting atop three eggs (so far) at the exact same place as last year. Her gander, "John" dutifully patrols the waters nearby virtually non-stop as he did last year.

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But, what do the geese think about during all this time?

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Are they lonely having to be (for the duration of nesting) mostly separated from their mate? 

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(Ganders usually stay some distance away from the nest so as not to call attention to them from potential predators.  At the same time, ganders are close enough to nest to make quick defense return if mate and eggs are actually threatened from, for example, raccoons.)

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Are the geese nervous not having the security and comfort of other flock members around?

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That is hard to say, though for sure, it falls upon the couple (who are temporarily living separately most of the time) to be on high alert constantly as they don't have warning signals of potential danger from other geese.

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But, mostly, I wondered if the nesting geese are bored? -- especially the mama goose confined nearly 24/7 to the nest.

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But, perhaps I need not have wondered about this so much.

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Yesterday, I watched Mary sitting on her nest for nearly a half hour.

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And she seemed anything but bored.

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On the contrary, she appeared to be highly interested and intrigued watching seagulls fly across the Reservoir and land on the water -- almost like a human watching a particularly engaging movie.   She barely took her eyes off the seagulls and other water birds (mostly, shovelers) flitting about the water.  

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Other times, Mary preened her feathers, changed positions on the nest and even took a quick nap under the sun, tucking her head back.

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Once in a while, John took a quick swim by to gaze and check on her.

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While I check in on John and Mary each day, there is also the nesting goose from Edmonton, Canada, who, after six years has become a kind of Internet "star."  The nesting process in on a live feed video camera, allowing visitors unobtrusive access any time of the day or night:

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Live: The Journal's goosecam is back

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The video voyeurism is fascinating as it pretty much replicates what I am observing in Central Park -- though the mama from Canada doesn't appear to have seagull "movies" to watch.

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But, certainly, she is alert to and intrigued by every sound and her head and eyes attuned to every sight.

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And of course, there are those special moments to simply sit back and catch some shut eye.

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Lord knows there will be few of those once the goslings actually hatch.

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As for the ganders, its seems "rest" is just not in their cards either before the eggs hatch or after.

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"Guard duty, patrol, being on the ready to immediately defend" and chasing off all would-be intruders or predators is both, their present and their future. 

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Perhaps the reality is that nesting geese, though it appears they have time to burn on their wings, don't actually have that much time to "think."

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Everything seems to be about alertness, patience and preparation -- as it probably should be for humans.   -- PCA

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