Conversations of the Geese

(Photos - Newly arrived mated  goose pair last night.  Gander keeps protective watch while female [foreground] eats.)

 

 

A little trip back in time today.

 

Reading over journal entries from last January and February, I am reminded of just how hard the struggles for Brad and his then companions, Angelina and Joey last year, as well as the other ducks and geese in Central Park.

 

2011 was an unusually brutal winter. By this time last year we had more than 35 inches of snow and all the watercourses in Central Park were almost entirely frozen over.

 

Harlem Meer was literally like a ice skating rink through all of January and most of February of 2011 -- except for the tiny pool of open water (less than a couple of feet in diameter) near the Dana Center that Brad and his two flightless helpmates managed to create and maintain.    While the mallards and geese occasionally aided in breaking up some of the ice last winter, when the going got really tough, (such as blizzards and near-zero temperatures) all of them left the Meer.

 

Fast forward to this year. 

 

So far, we have only had 7 inches of snow in New York City and all the watercourses have remained open except for a brief period a few weeks ago when most of Harlem Meer temporarily froze over.   But, even that lasted less than a week.

 

In essence, Brad has really had it "easy" this year compared to the last two previous winters.

 

Additionally, the warmer winter this year resulted in nearly 100 mallards and almost as many migratory geese staying at Harlem Meer throughout December and January.  Brad, Piggly and Wiggly never had to seriously worry about the lake freezing entirely over with that number of birds on it.

 

But, as previously mentioned, the migratory geese left Harlem Meer almost two weeks ago, presumably to migrate early back to New Foundland and Canada.  

 

But, new geese are arriving almost daily to Central Park now.

 

Some just fly over the park and continue on their journeys north.  Others stop over in Central Park for brief rest or grazing periods before moving on.

 

I could see dozens of geese temporarily resting on the Reservoir last night on my way to Harlem Meer and others were heard honking and flying through the skies, both on the walk to and from the Meer. (Ah, such beautiful music to the ears!  -- Better than Vivaldi!)

 

I was therefore not surprised to see numerous gaggles of new geese resting on the water last night at Harlem Meer.

 

The geese were mostly spread out in family groups of 5 to 10 around the lake and communicated with each other through a colophony of melodic "honks" going back and forth from one group to the other

 

One could imagine them "discussing" the strategies of the journey still to come and the happenings of the journey already achieved:

 

"Man, that was rough going over Pennsylvania!   We lost two of our yearlings to hunters!"

 

"Yeah, us too!  Maybe we should hang here a few days at least until the hunting season is over in most places.  Can't believe they are still shooting at us this late in the season!"

 

Of course, one cannot be sure all of the new geese are migratorys from the far north.

 

Some might actually be NYC "resident" geese returned to the Meer after spending December and January further south:

 

"Ah, its so good to be home again!  Can't believe we made it through all those hails of bullets!  Thank the Lord!"

 

Although most of the new geese remained resting in the water sharing stories or strategies with each other, two of them actually approached me last night.

 

What appeared to be a mated pair of geese.

 

The gander cautiously walked up to me and gently took a few seeds from my hand almost as if to "test" if I was actually safe.  But then he took up "sentry" position a few feet from his mate while the female goose hungrily took treats from my hand and swooped some off the ground.

 

It seems that even after a long, treacherous trip the ganders take their protective duties far more seriously than any hunger pangs.  The female goose was lucky to have a mate so self-sacrificing, dutiful and protective.

 

Meanwhile, Buster and his charges arrived for their daily treat, as did Loner, the #7" goose who is sometimes with the clan and sometimes not.

 

Surprisingly, Buster did not attempt to "goose" the mated pair of geese already on the embankment.   Perhaps the guarding posture of the gander over his mate sent a signal to Buster that the two geese were not to be messed with.  Or, perhaps Buster actually had some special respect or sympathy for the migratory geese after their long journey.

 

But, Buster did keep his own flockmates in line -- as he always does.

 

The ducks were all there of course.   And indeed, like the geese, there seemed to be more mallards last night.

 

This made things more difficult for Chrissy, the lame mallard who last night, had to compete with many more ducks than normal for what few treats she could grab.

 

As Chrissy sat on the ground, I tried to put hand fulls of treats right in front of her.  But, there were so many mallards surrounding her, it was hard to discern how much she was actually able to get.

 

Meanwhile, Brad ran around chatting away to his flockmates, Piggly and Wiggly, presumably about all the new birds suddenly at the Meer.

 

"Wow, look at all the migratorys here!  I sure could have used these guys last winter!"

 

Piggly, taking Brad's complaints to heart, used the opportunity (or excuse) to peck the butt of an unsuspecting goose in the water!

 

"You geese are only here because of our generosity in sharing our lake with you!  You'd better know we are the top birds of the Meer!"

 

The goose (not Buster, obviously) looked behind nonchalantly, but was totally unphased by Piggly's attempt at dominance.  Rather, s/he continued to rest on the water with his/her mate.

 

"Nothing to worry over, dear.  Just some silly duck trying to show off.  They should only know what we have had to deal with and been through!"

 

Piggly finally got back in line with Wiggly and Brad when realizing he was not able get this goose's "gander" so to speak.

 

Leaving the Meer last night with my usual lively duck and geese "escorts" I noticed several geese on the water with their heads tucked behind them in sleeping position.

 

"Rest little ones.  You've obviously had a long, tough journey.  Welcome home."

 

Looking back over the entries of last year, there is little question that geese (and apparently mallards) are migrating several weeks earlier this winter than last.

 

But, I have to hope that most of the migratorys temporarily resting in various areas of Central Park do in fact, "move on" and do so, rather quickly.

 

One has to wish, that among the many conversations of the geese last night was the one in which they discuss and realize that New York City is not a "safe" place for them over the spring and the ensuing deadly summer.

 

"New York City is a nice place to visit or rest, guys.   But, we dare not try to live here!"

 

"That's right, migratorys" honks Buster sympathetically. "Even I will have to leave with my gaggle in another month or two.   Beware the dogs.  And most of all,. beware the humans in the white trucks."    -- PCA

 

 

 

                                                          *************

 

 

 

They Call and Fly By The Night

Lots of excitement last night!

 

The Superbowl game was a nail biter down to the last second!

 

But, that's not what I'm referring to.

 

"Excitement" to me was in another arena -- Central Park.

 

Temperatures were nippy last night.  But, it wasn't the wind chill capturing attention.

 

It was the calls and honks of Canada geese. -- Lots of them!

 

Although I normally listen to music during my walks in the park, I quickly removed headphones last night to listen to the hypnotic and melodic sounds emanating from across the Reservoir.

 

I couldn't see the geese, but their voices were like music encapturing the night. 

 

Sounds literally swirling and moving like ghosts and spirits through the chilled winter air.

 

Part of me wanted to take a detour from my normal journey to Harlem Meer to search the source and location of the geese's calls.  -- To see these glorious forms in motion.

 

But, the calls were too fluid and ubiquitous to discern exactly the origin. And so I continued north to Harlem Meer.

 

The scene at the Meer was very similar to the previous night.

 

The Bradly Brigade and mallards congregated in their usual spot at the south portion of the lake; the geese not immediately visible.

 

I tended to Brad and his two charges, as well as the demanding and enthusiastic mallards. 

 

I also looked for Chrissy, the severely compromised mallard who hops and flops as opposed to walking the typical duck waddle.   As usual, Chrissy pulled herself up on the embankment after most of the other ducks had arrived. The struggle difficult for her, she immediately flopped down and I tossed treats as fast as Chrissy could snatch them from invading mallards.

 

Though frail and compromised, Chrissy is actually a tough little mallard.  She uses direct eye contact with me to beseech treats and has learned to be very quick and proficient with her bill to snatch and grab what she can.  

 

My heart aches for Chrissy -- especially when some of the drakes attack her.  But, I have also learned to respect Chrissy's moxie and will to endure despite the tough hand (or, really legs) nature has dealt her.

 

About this time, I heard honks emanating from the west side of the lake.

 

Sure enough, when I looked on the water, "Loner" was on his way, quickly swimming in my direction.

 

"Hi, guy!   Good to see you again!"

 

Loner walked slowly towards me and unlike the night before, actually dared to swoop a few seeds from my hand.  But, the action seemed to spook him a little and he proceeded to graze the rest of the seeds off the grass.

 

That was OK.  I am not about pushing intimacy and familiarity.

 

Meanwhile, I could see more goose forms swimming on the lake and quickly heading for the embankment.

 

Buster and his family had obviously learned the "lesson" of the night before.  This time when they apparently noted (or heard) Loner swimming off, they followed. Buster was not going to miss another mid evening snack as occurred the night before.

 

Buster confidently approached me with head held high requesting his treat.

 

"Well, Buster, I see you learn fast!  That deserves reward."

 

As his flock mates embarked on the grass, Buster immediately returned to his "keeping in line" activities with some mild pecking and pushing of the other geese.   I thought to myself, some things never change.

 

Meanwhile, Loner had moved some paces away, always careful to defer to Buster and his flock. No honking or goosing apparently necessary for Loner who knows and honors well the rules.

 

But, last night Loner wasn't the only one.

 

A family of five (new?) geese had arrived and taken up position on the embankment about 25 feet or so from Buster's clan.

 

The family stood peacefully on the lake's edge calmly looking out over the water.

 

They made no attempt to seek any treat.

 

I wondered about the new geese. Were they part of what I heard on my way to the Meer from the area of the Reservoir?

 

Geese are apparently doing a lot of moving around these days.

 

All my favorite duckies and geesies tended to for the evening, I gingerly retrieved my dogs and stepped carefully around the new geese resting along the embankment.  They looked curiously at us walking by, but did not flee.

 

Meanwhile, Brad gathered Piggly, Wiggly and the rest of the ducks to escort me from the Meer as they do every night.    And Buster rounded up his family to do the same.  A little brown mallard swam directly in front of the Bradly Brigade, but I could not be sure if she was Chrissy or not.  (Chrissy is hard to discern from the other mallards when in the water.)

 

Perhaps this is the real reason I make this sojourn every night.

 

Its hard not to get addicted to all the attention and seeming reverence. 

 

"Good night, guys!  Be good and take care of each other now!"

 

Walking home, I retraced steps back to the Reservoir running path.

 

And almost unbelievably, there were the honks again sending music through the still night air!

 

This time, I decided to walk in the general vicinity of the goose honks that seemed to be emanating from the western area of the Reservoir but were moving in all directions.

 

But, as I moved on, the honks seemed to fade in the distance....

 

Looking out over the Reservoir, however, I noticed four geese resting and floating on the slightly rolling water.

 

"Was it you guys making all that noise?"

 

I didn't see any other geese.  Just the four.  But, earlier and just a few minutes before, it had sounded like many dozens.

 

I continued to walk further west along the Reservoir, but could not see any more geese in the water.

 

But, then the sounds of honks behind me.

 

I turned around and the four geese I had seen just a minute before suddenly rose from the water and took off majestically in the sky.

 

They honked and first flew in a semi-circle around the Reservoir. 

 

But, then the four geese headed decisively in a northern direction and slowly vanished from view.

 

Were they heading to Harlem Meer?

 

Or, on migratory route to Canada?

 

The sights and sounds of the evening totally having thrilled me, I realized I would probably not see any more geese at that moment.

 

The four geese actually observed most likely took a brief rest or drink at the Reservoir and then followed in the path of the dozens of geese before them.

 

I finally returned home with my dogs and turned the Superbowl on the TV.

 

I had just missed Madonna's half-time show.

 

But, no Superbowl half time show or last minute "Hail Mary" throws into the end zone could have equaled the stellar night show I had just witnessed and heard.

 

The wonder of Canada geese during their fall and spring migrations.

 

They fly -- and call by night.

 

And truly there is nothing more wondrous, spiritual and majestic than that.  -- PCA

 

 

 

                                                            ****************

 

 

Lame Ducks and Loner Geese

 (Photos: 1-- "Chrissy," a lame duck who miraculously endures. 2-- # 7 last night sharing treats with the mallards.)

 

 

Last night at Harlem Meer was the near reversal of the previous night.

 

When first arriving at the lake, the Bradly Brigade and the mallards were in the usual spot in the water seemingly "waiting" for me.  

 

But where was Buster and the gang, I wondered?

 

Peering out over the water, I could not immediately see any geese.  And while tempted to walk around the lake to look for Buster and his crew, Brad, Piggly, Wiggly and the other ducks immediately nixed that idea. 

 

They were all on the embankment demanding their daily treat.

 

Not to deny my "duckies" I immediately pulled seeds out of my bag and began tossing to the mallards and hand-feeding Brad.   Wiggly, under my feet, quickly scooped up treats that escaped Brad and Piggly dashed around quickly grabbing most of what was tossed.

 

Among the ducks scrambling around my feet was a familiar female mallard who I have noticed since last summer.

 

I never mentioned her before because, like Piggly, I did not think this mallard had a snow ball's chance in hell of surviving.

 

That is because the duck I have now named "Chrissy" is severely crippled.

 

I am not sure what is wrong with Chrissy's legs.  There is no fishing line around them and they don't appear broken. 

 

But, she is unable to walk normally and instead "hops" almost like a rabbit and has tendency to flop down on her belly.

 

I don't see Chrissy every night.   In fact, there have been weeks when I didn't see her at all and presumed she had long ago perished.

 

But, lately I see Chrissy almost every night.

 

She now recognizes me and is usually among the last of the ducks to pull herself up on the embankment.

 

She looks at me pitifully as if to plede special attention.

 

Of course my heart melts when seeing Chrissy and I always try to toss treats directly in front of her so she doesn't have to hobble around.

 

But, the mallards are quickly there and Chrissy is lucky to be able to grab what she can from a squating position on the ground with one of her legs splayed out from under her.

 

Sometimes the mallards attack Chrissy -- even though she is one of them.

 

Last night a drake viciously pecked and pushed at Chrissy and I immediately tried to intervene.

 

"Hey, out of there!  Leave her alone, you mean drake!"  I shouted, waving a hand.

 

But, the well intentioned gesture meant to admonish one, freaked out all of the ducks and sent them flying and bolting for the water.

 

Chrissy was among them.

 

Even though her wings appear to be more splayed out than normal, Chrissy can apparently fly -- or at least enough to quickly escape to water if threatened or spooked.

 

And when in the water, it is difficult to differentiate Chrissy from the other female mallards.  She appears to  swim normally. 

 

The last two factors make any ideas of attempted rescue for Chrissy difficult. But, even if it could be achieved, I am not sure what a rehabilitator or vet could do for Chrissy.

 

She doesn't appear to be "sick" or suffering from broken bones.   Whatever it is that causes her disabilities is apparently something Chrissy was born with or is result of old injury. 

 

In any event, Chrissy amazingly is able to survive and has been since at least the summer.

 

Last night, she returned to the embankment after the unintended scare and I made sure to get extra treats to her.

 

Meanwhile, as all this was going on, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, a solitary goose heading my way from the west side the lake.

 

"Oh my gosh!  It must be # 7!"

 

"Loner goose" as I sometimes call him, climbed the embankment and walked cautiously towards me, beseeching treat.

 

I offered some seeds from my hand, but he shyly backed away as the members of Buster's gaggle usually do.   I then tossed seeds to the ground in front of him and # 7 ate alongside  the mallards.

 

But, where in the hell was Buster and his gaggle of six? I wondered.

 

Remembering that Loner had swam in from the western portion of the Meer, I decided to walk in that direction to see if I could find Buster and crew.

 

Sure enough, as I walked with my two dogs along the path leading to the west side of the lake, I could make out several geese suddenly swimming east.

 

Retracing my steps back to the feeding station, I was surprised to find Buster and several of his gaggle already there!   #7 was still grazing too, but a respectable few feet away from Buster and his family still arriving to the embankment.

 

"Well, where in the hell were you all this time, Buster?" I asked, not expecting any answer.

 

But, Buster looked up from grazing on the ground as if to complain about the lack of black oiled sunflower seeds on the grass.

 

"Is this all we get tonight?"

 

Yes, unfortunately what remained on the ground was all Buster and crew were to get last night.  I had exhausted my supply of treat.

 

Perhaps they should have paid closer attention to # 7 who apparently saw me sooner than Buster and family did.

 

"I am sorry, Buster.  You are late to the table tonight.  Loner and the ducks beat you to the punch!"

 

Walking home from the Meer, I thought back on Chrissy and was in awe on this duck's survival skills considering her challenging disabilities.

 

In fact, I of course cannot be sure, but Chrissy could be the same "crippled duck" I saw in the winter of 2011 and shot a short video of:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n49RnOpIi7A

 

Wouldn't it be amazing if in fact, she is the same mallard?

 

Perhaps nature or God looks out for lame ducks and loner geese.   -- PCA

 

 

 

                                                      *************

 

Mysteries of Tag-A-Longs and Other Questions

I did not see #7 last night.

 

#7 is the "tag-a-long" goose who is sometimes seen with Buster and his gaggle and sometimes not.

 

"Tag-a-long" is the term I use to describe loner geese who though loosely accepted into an established goose family, are not part of the actual family.

 

It is not the first time I have witnessed this phenomenon among geese.

 

I first noticed it last summer when the Turtle Pond goose family molted at the boat lake.

 

Another family of four geese shared the lake and space with them throughout the six weeks of flightlessness.

 

But,  there was also a "tag-a-long" goose who was not part of either family and was sometimes with the group and sometimes not.

 

About half the time I counted "nine" geese and during other times, "ten" geese.

 

I don't know where "loner" goose was the times I did not see him. But more than once, I noticed one goose swimming alone and honking on the lake, similar to what was observed the other night at Harlem Meer.

 

Generally, I believe that such geese (having lost or been separated from their own mates and families) are "low status animals" who while generally accepted into other goose families usually keep a respectable distance away.  (It may only be a few feet, but is noticeable.)

 

I observed a similar circumstance among geese at Harlem Meer late last summer. 

 

During that time, the Reservoir goose family of five "accepted" a loner goose into their gaggle, but the tag-a-long was always a few feet away from the family and was always the last to eat and otherwise be engaged.   Unfortunately, I never got the chance to closely observe this dynamic over time because all the geese (less than a dozen) were "harassed" from the Meer shortly before Labor Day.  (One more reason to hate goose harassment. -- It dumps out the window any studies on geese, their relationship to each other and other waterfowl.)

 

When he lost his mate, Angelina last summer, Brad immediately went from being the high status duck at Harlem Meer to becoming a low status animal.

 

While the mallards generally accepted Brad swimming around the perimeters of their flocks, they did not welcome or embrace him.

 

Brad became the "loner" duck at Harlem Meer -- a happenstance that greatly concerned me at the time as ducks are obviously flock animals.

 

And, while I hoped that Brad would soon find another mate or companion flock, that did not happen until Piggly and Wiggly (also domestic ducks) were dropped off at Harlem Meer this past fall.

 

Ironically, while generally not a good thing when domestic animals are abandoned in city parks, this turned out to be the best thing that could have happened for Brad.  Not only did he finally have similar, domestic birds to "flock with," but his status was once again raised. (And of course, Brad's presence and experience at the Meer was obviously a good thing for the two Kacki Campbell ducks, neither of whom were likely to survive winter without the acceptance and wisdom of Brad.)

 

Still, that brings us back to the question of "loner geese" and where they eventually wind up?

 

I don't know where goose #10 wound up after last summer. Once the ten geese grew in their flight feathers, all of them left the boat lake -- at least for a while. (Or, were they harassed from the lake?)

 

Mama, Papa and their three yearlings eventually returned to the boat lake and presumably might still be there.  But, they did not return with the other family of four geese whom they molted with, nor the loner goose.

 

And so with so little real information, I cannot predict what will happen with #7 goose.

 

Will he embark on some kind of "search" for his lost mate or flock?  Will he stay for safety and security reasons with Buster and his gaggle?   Or, will he, like Brad, float around the perimeters of Buster and crew, until at some point, he is able to find or replace a mate and begin his own family?

 

I don't know, but they are interesting questions to ponder.

 

Another interesting question to ponder:  Do geese need to run before taking flight?

 

According to this article from an Audubon member, the answer to that question is "yes."

 

http://www.albertleatribune.com/2012/02/04/geese-need-to-run-a-bit-before-becoming-airborne/

 

But, both myself and a fellow goose observer think that while it is desirable for geese to walk or run before flying, (for momentum) it is not necessary.   (I know that from seeing geese harassed and having to take off almost vertically from a lake.)

 

It is quite amazing that while there is a great deal of information about goose flying patterns and migrations, there is actually very little about the birds' life, family and flock dynamics when on the ground or in the water. 

 

And the reality is that geese spend most of their time either in the water or on the ground. Canada geese actually don't do a whole lot of "fun flying" like other birds. Perhaps because of their size and weight, flying uses far more energy than other activities.

 

Probably the greatest reason for this blog is to attempt to answer some of the mysteries and questions about geese that are truly yet to be answered.   That seems quite ironic considering these are animals who live so close to humans and would presumably be better known and easily observed than most.

 

But, I'd be willing to bet that scientists know far more about some rare, exotic animal or insect from Africa or the tropical rain forests than they do the "common" animals we actually live with.

 

It seems to give credance to the Joni Mitchell lyric, "You don't know what you've got, till its gone."  (Or, at least we don't seem to appreciate or care about anything until it is nearly gone.)

 

Nevertheless, for the moment I am happy to appreciate and strive to learn as much as possible about what's right before me  -- at least as long as the regal geese and feisty, comical ducks are still here.

 

Perhaps the biggest not-so-mystery of all:

 

God only knows what the city and the USDA has in store -- especially for the geese.

 

"Familiarity" never to be taken for granted -- as tragically learned all too well over these past few years.  --PCA

 

 

 

                                                               ************

 

 

Movements of "Spring" and an Orphaned Goose?

(Photos:  1--Geese at the Boat Lake yesterday. 2-- Goose #7. Did Buster and family take in an orphan?)  

 

The crisp, but slightly warmer than normal temperatures yesterday were ideal for a brisk walk in Central Park to survey the other watercourses.

 

I did not find a large population of geese anywhere.  None at Turtle Pond, the Reservoir or the Pond on the Upper West Side.  

 

However, there were at least 20 geese at the Boat Lake leading me to speculate that they could be the few families of resident geese who recently left Harlem Meer.

 

The geese were near the north west rock formation where the Turtle Pond goose family typically hangs out over these past many months.

 

But, knowing Papa and Mama goose as I do, it was not surprising to not see them yesterday.  They are not noted for chilling with gaggles of other geese.  My guess is that Papa, Mama and their three grown youngsters were at some other part of the large lake.  They seem to value their privacy and independence.

 

The several families of geese near the rocks seemed a little surprised, but curious over my presence yesterday.

 

They swam close to the area where I tossed some seeds on the rock, but they did not come out of the water to retrieve, whereas several mallards did.

 

"Caution" always the credo of geese, I suspect that even though these geese likely knew me, they did not have Buster with them to take the first steps and announce safety and nor were the Bradly Brigade around.

 

Moreover, presuming these were the same resident geese who wintered at Harlem Meer over the past two months, they probably exercised greater caution for being new to the area and not quite settled in and familiar.

 

As soon as I moved away with my dogs, a couple of the geese ventured cautiously on to the rock, but their movements were guarded and wary.

 

Geese don't seem to be animals who take unnecessary chances under any circumstances.

 

Rather, they are seemingly forever vigilant, cautious and conservative in their movements and actions -- especially when in new and unfamiliar areas.

 

"Conservative" is not however a word, I would use to describe mallards.

 

On the contrary, numerous small flocks of mallards were gregariously flying over several areas of Central Park yesterday. Typically, one sees heavy mallard flying activities during the spring and summer months.   But, nothing about this winter has been "normal" so far.  One is already seeing many signs of spring, the heightened mallard flying activity being only one of them.

 

Indeed, as speculated the other day, the migratory geese have seemingly left Central Park already to start on their journey north.

 

Twenty geese at the boat lake is not after all, the nearly 100 geese who were at Harlem Meer since early December.

 

I cannot prove of course, but am reasonably certain that migratory geese and mallards have already embarked on early migrations.

 

Even at Harlem Meer the number of mallards is lower than it was during the "hunkering down" phase of winter just a few weeks ago.

 

But, I still saw my "regular" mallards yesterday, along of course with the Bradly Brigade and Buster and his gaggle.

 

Buster's gaggle is of interesting note.

 

Over the months, I have usually counted Buster and his crew to be seven geese all together.

 

But, there have been other times, I only count six geese.

 

For two days in a row, I only saw six geese and I thought one of Buster's charges might have defected with one of the other resident goose families who left the Meer this past week.

 

But, that is not the case.

 

Last night, goose # 7 was with Buster and crew, but was slightly back in the flock.

 

He or she did venture on the embankment and partook of a few treats with the others, but then returned to the water and swam towards the middle of the lake, honking at various intervals.

 

It could be that goose #7 is a kind of "wayward" or independent youngster much like I speculated Daffy to be.  But, then, two of Daffy's flock mates would come looking for him and attempt to reign him in.

 

None of Buster's gaggle attempt to follow #7 or hover over him/her.

 

So, I am guessing #7 is a goose who somehow lost his/her mate or family and is in fact, a "tag-along" to Buster and his family.

 

Of course why #7 would elect to stay and tag along with a family whose lead gander is such a "bully" and task master is another question.

 

But, despite his brash tactics, I haven't noticed Buster to particularly attack this goose or banish him/her from the gaggle.

 

It seems to be OK for #7 to stay as long as s/he keeps respectable distance.

 

Still, it was a little sad last night to see #7 wander off alone, eerily honking on the lake.

 

It reminded me of when Binky (the "Angel Wing" flightless gosling of the Turtle Pond goose family) was left alone on the pond for the first time and swam forlornly on the water, "calling out" in long, plaintive honks for his family.  (Binky was later rescued just prior to winter last year and sent to a wealthy estate.)

 

Fortunately, #7 is not entirely alone and s/he seems perfectly capable of flying.

 

And though I may make jokes about the "belligerence" and "meanness" of Buster, he can't really be all that bad.

 

It seems Buster and his family might actually have taken in an orphan. -- PCA

 

 

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"Moods" and Predictability

(Photos:  Buster trying to regain dignity last night.  Buster's charges quickly snacking with the ducks.)

 

Still apparently brooding and humiliated by Tuesday night's opportunistic "butt shot" from Piggly, (one of the three barnyard ducks) Buster was in a seemingly "foul" mood last night.

 

Buster made it clear to goose and duck alike, he was not taking any grief or "lucky shots" from anyone.  Unfortunately, Buster's flock mates served as the brunt for most of the humiliated gander's frustrations.  Their feathers got a work over last night and more than one had to take to the water in order to temporarily flee Busters' posturings and temper.

 

Then again, Buster's gaggle is quite used to this.

 

If Buster is actually father and mate to the other geese in his flock, he is quite the disciplinarian and task master. 

 

Nevertheless, the gaggle has successfully survived in New York City during a time thousands of geese have otherwise been rounded up and killed by the USDA. --  Perhaps that is why the other five geese in Buster's gaggle don't challenge or rebel.

 

They know they have a good thing despite "appearances" to us unknowing humans.

 

Despite Buster's clear objections to any of his flock members taking treats from my hand, he strangely has no problem we me petting his charges.  I have done this routinely with neither Buster nor petted goose showing any fear or resistance. And yet, should I offer hand treat to any of Buster's gaggle, they immediately back off -- or Buster rudely admonishes them!

 

Its an interesting family dynamic.   And one that is so different from other goose families I have known -- particularly the "Turtle Pond goose family" who over the past year has become the "Boat Lake goose family." 

 

In that goose family, "Papa" goose is a very strong, but benevolent and generous leader.

 

Unlike Buster, Papa would routinely hang back while his mate and goslings ate from my hand.  Though quite harsh and corrective with his youngsters during nesting season, the rest of the year, Papa was protective, permissive and generous with them.

 

I guess it shows that somewhat like human families, not all goose families are the same.

 

Much depends upon the patriarchal leaders.

 

Speaking of the Boat Lake goose family, its been a while since I checked out the area and saw them.

 

I am considering doing that over the next day or two.

 

But, that would not solely be for nostalgia purposes, but also to try and determine where the other geese who were at Harlem Meer over the past two months might have gone to?

 

I am guessing that the migratory geese already embarked on their journeys north due to the warmer than normal winter.

 

But, what about the other two to three "resident" goose families who, like Buster, routinely came to me for treats each night?   (These include Daffy and his family.)

 

While the migratory geese left the Meer about a week ago, the geese who I presumed to be "resident" NYC geese left a couple of days ago.

 

But, I have no idea where they might have gone.

 

Are resident geese already returning to breeding areas?   Or, are they merely "pond hopping" during the reasonably mild weather?

 

Of course the other possibility is that the other resident goose families got fed up with Buster's bullying and belligerent behavior.   "Hey, the weather's nice now. We don't have to stay here and put up with this nonsense!  Off to greener pastures elsewhere!"

 

I don't know the answers to these questions.  But, it might be good to check out some of the other watercourses of Central Park -- if nothing else than to hopefully say "hi" once again to Mama, Papa and their three goslings from 2010.

 

Nevertheless, there is one thing I do know -- not just from now, but times past as well.

 

That is, that people feeding geese have absolutely NO impact whatsoever on whether geese elect to stay in an area or move on!

 

Were that true, the other few goose families would still be at Harlem Meer.

 

Moreover, I am quite certain that despite my offer of delectable treats each night to Buster and his gaggle, when their biological clock says its time to "go" they too will leave the Meer.

 

The geese don't raise their goslings at Harlem Meer.

 

Exactly where most of the "resident" Central Park geese go in the summertime, I don't know for sure.

 

I just know that last summer, there were approximately 20 geese in all of Central Park.

 

Was it possible Buster and his family were among them?

 

Only if Buster and crew are actually the goose family from the Reservoir or the South Pond near 59th Street.

 

I never did, after all, get to "know" the south pond goose family very well.

 

Ah, the mysteries carry on!

 

Hopefully, to discover a little more later this week and through the next few months. 

 

But, as said many times, "The more things appear to be the same, the more they change."

 

Nothing with nature is absolutely predictable -- including Buster's "mood" each night.

 

Hopefully, by now, Buster has gotten over his humiliation from a "barnyard" duck on Tuesday night. -- PCA

 

 

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The King Gets His Butt Pecked!

(Photos: 1-- The Bradly Brigade enjoying a special laugh last night. 2--The forever proud Buster who last night, had to eat a little crow!)

 

 

"Buster!!  What's with you?  That is so MEAN!"

 

The above words were shrieked Mondy night to Buster after he meanly went after and pecked a female goose from another family who dared to swoop some  seeds from my hand.

 

The poor goose girl was unceremoniously banished to the water!

 

"Buster, we really have to talk about this!"

 

But, upon issuing walking papers to the other goose, Buster innocently walked up to me expecting a reward for his diligent "work."

 

And of course, forever the "enabler," I ultimately rewarded Buster's bad behavior with a handful of black sunflower seeds.

 

I am like the parent who tells his/her kid, "No!" while putting out a full plate of Oreos!

 

As mentioned the other day, the migratory geese who spent almost two months at Harlem Meer seem to have taken off over the past week, presumably due to the abnormally warm weather.

 

I am not sure if they are actually migrating early or simply pond hopping around Central Park.

 

But, now it occurs that there could be a possible third explanation:

 

They were given their "walking papers" by Buster!

 

"Look, you guys have had a picnic here for the past two months and I have been more than charitable!    But, we don't need you anymore to help maintain open water.   Its time for you to move on!  This is our watercourse!"

 

All joking and speculations aside however, it was reported on the news this morning that migratory cranes have returned a month earlier than normal to Nebraska and there is also this article describing how an abnormally warm winter resulted in many more thousands of geese and ducks staying in North Dakota.  The migratory birds from Canada obviously did not have to fly so far south this winter and presumably many geese and ducks who might have left ND to migrate south elected to stay in the normally frigid state.

 

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/138430819.html

 

My guess now is that the migratory geese who were at Harlem Meer for the past two months probably embarked on their migratory trip north sooner than normal. (Of course, the shenanigans of Buster probably aided in that decision to leave the Meer early.   There is just so much "goosing" a goose can take!)

 

Last night, I only saw Buster and his gaggle at the Meer, along with the resident ducks.

 

Buster's gaggle know the rules on grass well.   In all these months, none of Buster's flock mates has ever dared to take treats from my hand.

 

Last night, all six of them remained grazing on one part of the grass while Buster took treats from my hand and proudly stood a few feet apart from the rest of the geese.   Buster was happy with that arrangement and didn't have to "goose" anyone.  Buster is like a king on a thrown.

 

Nevertheless, it was hilarious last night to see Piggly (one of the three domestic ducks) suddenly take a hard swipe at Buster's butt when Buster's back was turned.

 

Shocked and humiliated, Buster quickly bolted around! 

 

"What was THAT?!   Why you little turd!  Just WHO do you think you are? Take that!"

 

Buster issued a gentle warning peck to Piggly's tail feathers, mostly to redeem some damaged pride in front of his flock mates.

 

But, Piggly, having been so relentlessly and viciously jabbed by mallards when first dropped off at the Meer was not at all bothered.

 

He simply scampered a few feet away while seemingly laughing to himself.

 

"Ah, I have been wanting to do that for so long to that gander who is so full of himself!"

 

It was the fist time I had ever seen any duck or goose attempt to take a swipe at Buster.  How funny that it was the one bird who only months ago was the very lowest on the totem pole of the entire Meer.

 

Piggly has certainly come a long way!

 

Much of that has to do of course with Piggly's ultimate acceptance and welcoming to Brad's elite flock.  Brad, Piggly and Wiggly are now, without question, the top birds of the Meer. And while Buster may "rule" the geese and migratory visitors, even he defers and shows respect to the three top ducks.

 

So, for now all is peaceful and relatively quiet at the Meer.

 

The migratory birds have left and both, the duck and geese rulers enjoy a mostly peaceful accord.

 

I am guessing that Buster and his flock will eventually leave the Meer when mating and molting season rolls around (or, they may be harassed from there).

 

I have never seen a breeding pair of geese stay at the Meer or any raising of goslings there.

 

My guess is that there is too much human activity at Harlem Meer during the spring (especially fishing) and there are not a whole lot of "off limit" areas to safely raise goslings.

 

A gaggle of ten geese did molt at the Meer last summer.   But, they were not Buster and his crew.  The geese were extremely scared and wary of people and spent most of the summer hiding out in the middle of the lake.   When venturing on grass, they stayed very close to the water's edge in order to bolt at a second's notice.  The gaggle never approached me or seemingly anyone else.   As soon as they grew in their flight feathers, the ten geese immediately vacated the Meer.

 

I always had the feeling the 2011 summer gaggle were refugees from somewhere else. 

 

Perhaps they were harassed from another location or might have been survivors of a USDA roundup somewhere in the city.  Or, they may have even been migratory geese who for some inexplicable reason, (health or injury?) were unable to migrate back to Canada prior to the spring.  The geese did not appear to be robust when first arriving to the Meer around June -- though as the summer wore on, their appearance improved.  (My guess is that still being able to fly in June, they were survivors of a USDA roundup elsewhere  in the city.) 

 

But, quite frankly, I would be very surprised to see this particular gaggle return to Harlem Meer this summer.  It seemed too stressful a location for the very people-shy or even traumatized flock.

 

Last night, as I left the Meer, the Bradly Brigade, the other ducks and Buster and his gaggle hopped in the water and once again escorted me towards the exit.  (How could I ever find my way out of the park without them showing me the way?)

 

"Good night, guys!  Enjoy the rest of the spring-like evening!  Be nice to each other!"

 

Walking home, I noticed new tiny buds on some of the trees.

 

Indeed, spring is not far away.

 

And so yes, thoughts turned to spring last night and the summer not far behind.

 

I really hope that Buster and his flock might elect to molt at the Meer over the summer.

 

I have grown so accustomed to his face and his antics, that I cannot imagine the Meer without Buster.

 

I think, even Piggly wants that now.

 

There is, after all, little doubt today that Piggly is proudly boasting and laughing about the night he pecked Buster's butt!  -- PCA

 

 

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