Easter Sunday with the Ducks, Geese and Swan

Romantic goose pair, Harlem Meer

Connie and Conner, off for romantic swim.

Mallard drake, smitten with and protective of Honker.

Gander protecting while mate grazes.

Hector, in thoughts of his lost love.

 

A Journey of Religion

Below is a touching and inspiring video of one priest's journey to veganism.

http://freefromharm.org/videos/educational-inspiring-talks/father-manns-journey-to-embracing-a-vegan-vision-of-christianity/

Perhaps befitting for Easter Sunday.

I am also pleased with the new Pope selection.   According to the Catholic faith, St. Francis is the patron saint of animals.   Additionally, the new Pope has already spoken out about the need to protect the ecology and environment.

Perhaps there is still hope for Catholicism. I have not yet given up on it -- though still find my personal peace with the geese, ducks and other animals, rather than in a church.

I guess we all find our own path.

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Easter Sunday at the Meer

While millions of others donned Easter finery today and attended church services, I sported jeans and sneakers and journeyed to Harlem Meer in Central Park shortly following dawn this morning.

Most of the geese and mallards are gone, though some still remain (mostly ducks).

In past years, I thought these departures due to the changes and migrations of spring.

But, since noting the Geese Police van last week in Central Park, I am now not so sure.

That is another thing disconcerting about goose "harassment" when it is conducted.

One has no way of knowing what is normal and natural and what is not.

I am glad now that I had opportunity to personally witness scores of migratory Canada geese taking off from the Jackie Onassis Reservoir some weeks back to begin their arduous journeys north to Canada. 

It was an incredibly beautiful, natural and wondrous experience.  By far the best in Central Park over the past year.

And,  I know those particular geese were not harassed.

But, in terms of fluctuating goose numbers over the past few weeks, I don't know whether they were migratory geese stopping briefly for rest and then moving on or they were resident geese who were harassed out of the park.

This morning, I saw only two pairs of geese at the Meer and
one pair at the Reservoir.

Numbers may continue to fluctuate as I understand from the video below and others, many geese are still in the midst of late migrations (due to a cold and snowy March throughout the mid west and north east) 

http://www.siouxlandnews.com/story/21822534/good-question-whats-up-with-all-the-geese      

I have to hope that any late migrating geese who briefly stop to rest in Central Park will not be harassed, but such hope is probably for naught.

New York City's "war on Canada geese" is only beginning.

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Love in Bloom For Most, But Not All.

For the ducks and geese still in Central Park, "romance" is in full bloom.

It is common now to see pairs of mallards romantically strolling in the grasses around the Meer in the evening like little humans.   Geese are also in pairs, the ganders of which stake out and protect territory and eagerly chase off any other geese.

The four domestic ducks (Cochise, Connor, Carol and Connie) can sometimes also be seen dividing into pairs in recent days.

But, perhaps the biggest surprise is that both, Honker and Wiggly (the two female Kacki Campbell ducks) have taken up with mallard drakes!

Wiggly of course is no surprise because since January, she has been followed around devotedly, by a drake I named "Romeo."  

But, over the past week or so, Honker too, has attracted the affections of a mallard drake.

I am not sure what to make of these "birds of unlike feather" taking up together, but both Wiggly and Honker appear to enjoy the protection and guarding that the mallard drakes provide.

It appeared this morning that there were more mallard drakes at the Meer than hens so perhaps this sexual imbalance helps to explain two drakes looking outside of their gene pool for "romance" (though this was not true in January and thus does not explain the love sick Romeo).

The two drakes even chase off other ducks while wooing their "exotic" sweethearts, Wiggly and Honker.  

Meanwhile, the long widowed swan, Hector, is still without mate or flock.

Ah, that only some lonely, female swan would magically fly into the Meer this Easter.

A handsome swan awaits.   -- PCA

                                                        


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Spring has Sprung -- "Get the Flock Out!"

Canada goose, Central Park.  Here and then gone. Geese get their "flying papers" from city parks as weather warms.

 Ah, the first signs of spring!

New buds on trees, temperatures finally starting to warm, human activity returning to the park and Geese ("Get the Flock Out") Police.

I saw the white van with the fascinating logo early Sunday morning in Central Park.

It appeared to be doing a survey of the goose population in the park. First observed driving around Harlem Meer and some time later, at Turtle Pond and the Boat Lake.

At that time, there were about 25 geese at the Meer, 2 geese at Turtle Pond and perhaps a couple of dozen geese at the Boat Lake.

Two days later, there are few geese to be seen anywhere in the park.

Last night, I noticed a dramatic reduction in not only the geese at Harlem Meer, but also, the mallards who numbered about half of what they normally do.

I counted only 4 geese.

My friend, Liliana who monitors the birds at the Boat Lake reported seeing only 4 geese there yesterday.

Presumably, these geese (unless acclimated to harassment) will also be gone within a week or two.

I am at loss at what exactly to say about this.

Part of me obviously hates it.

Canada geese are harassed almost everywhere these days.  And when they are not being harassed, they are being shot at or rounded up and slaughtered.

Where exactly are the birds supposed to go? 

Certainly not to "Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge" where, last summer, more than 700 Canada geese were rounded up and slaughtered.

With drought effecting half the country, much of natural wetlands destroyed or developed, and so-called "refuges" turned into slaughterhouses,  it seems geese will need to set up house in shopping malls or on people's lawns and swimming pools.

Ah, I can already hear the complaints.

And that is what of course accounts for the harassment in Central Park.

Those people, who during the nice weather, show up to complain about any wildlife mysteriously still in a park.

Them -- and the public officials who declare "war" on Canada geese or any wildlife that dares show up in a city park or wildlife "refuge."

Yes, the geese need to be chased out of Central Park, because were they to congregate there over the summer, they would surely be subjected to a USDA "Wildlife Services" slaughter.

"Get the flock out!"

What a cute turn of phrase.   21st century play on words and curse.

We love God, but cannot tolerate His creations (One reason I don't go to church anymore).

Ah yes, spring has sprung.

And what was seemingly a wildlife refuge over the harsh winter is soon to become simply a greener version of Times Square.

That only I could turn back the clock a couple of months to the good old days of ice, winds, blizzard and hurricane.  

Winter, the season of ironic peace.

But, now it is spring.

Time to "Get the flock out!"  -- PCA

                                                                 


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"You Lied!" Say the Ducks and Geese to the Groundhog

Canada goose, Harlem Meer.  Waiting out a winter that doesn't want to leave.

 "You lied!"

One could imagine the geese and ducks yelling the above to the groundhogs, who in February, predicted we would have an "early spring" on the east coast.

But, unlike last year, this winter in New York City has seemingly continued for months and months -- including into the official start of spring.

Last night temperatures fell below freezing with wind chills in the teens.  The same is predicted for the rest of the week.  One could almost imagine new spring buds crawling back into the trees. "Burrr!  Lets wait another week or two!"

Because winter temperatures have dragged on past normal dates, bird migrations have been later this year and so far, most of the ducks are still exhibiting winter behaviors.

Last year at this time, most mallards had left Harlem Meer (for wherever they go in the spring) and there were just a few resident geese as all the migratory geese had departed weeks earlier.

But, most of the mallards are still at the Meer and I have so far seen little in the way of "territorial" and mating squabbles.

Most of the geese still remain in family groups, though there is evidence of some dominant ganders pushing youngsters out in order to get alone time with their mates. The geese for the most part, seem to be bouncing around now between Harlem Meer and the Boat Lake in Central Park.  

It is hard to tell which of the geese are actually "resident" and which are still migratory geese who are either stopping by on late journeys north or laid back migratory stragglers who did not leave Central Park with the rest of wintering migratory flocks.

There are currently more geese in Central Park now than last year at this time. But, one suspects that will change when the weather finally warms to normal temperatures and the geese start thinking seriously about returning to nesting locations.

So far (as in winter), most the waterfowl appear more concentrated on just staying warm for the moment, fueling up and keeping together.

In that sense, they are not different from us humans.

The calendar may say, "spring" but it is not yet time to put away the hats, scarves and gloves.

Ol' man winter has decided to hang on a while longer. -- PCA

                                                                


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Spring, an Unknown Entity in New York City -- What Will it Bring to our Waterfowl?

Jessie -- Canada goose survivor of loss and hard knocks.

Dominant goose family at Harlem Meer peers over the lay of the land.

"Romeo," the love sick drake tagging behind his lady love, Wiggly. Honker, another female domestic duck along for the ride.

Connor, Cochise, Connie and Carol. Four domestic ducks abandoned last November have made it through the winter with non-flying feathers.

 

The calendar may say "spring" but yesterday we had snow in New York City and the temperatures are not predicted to get out of the 30's and 40's for nearly the rest of the month.

Despite a colder-than-normal winter in New York, I am happy to say (once again) that all personally known ducks, geese and one swan made it through the challenging times with nary a feather out of place.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.439638042780943.1073741825.114425621968855&type=1

Cochise, Conner, Connie and Carol, the four domestic ducks abandoned to Harlem Meer last November apparently took their cues from the other ducks present, learned quickly and are now the epitomes of health, vibrance and alertness.

Wiggly and Honker, the other two (female) domestic ducks at the Meer for more than a year still continue to play a lead role in showing others what to do when the going gets rough. 

Wiggly is mostly a quiet and unassuming leader. However, her position is well known and respected among her peers, most notably, a mallard drake who for some months has followed Wiggly around like a love sick puppy. 

Even when the lake nearly entirely froze over in January and all the other mallards temporarily vacated, "Romeo" stayed behind to be with his lady love and aid her in keeping open water.  

For her part, Wiggly mostly ignores the romantic pursuits of her passionate suitor, but she is not hostile or rejecting of them.  "Whatever" seems to be her attitude -- at least for the moment.

It will however, be interesting to see what happens when the bitter cold finally departs and thoughts of the wildlife turn to love.  

Will Wiggly finally start to notice and reciprocate the attentions and devotion of her relentless Romeo or will she push him away? 

They are after all, "ducks of a different feather."

So far, no domestic ducks observed over the years have successfully hatched or raised ducklings.  It appears they don't know how to nest and protect eggs in the wild.  

But, perhaps things may be different this year?

Romeo is certainly one determined duck who doesn't seem to take "no" for an answer. But, in the end, it will all be left up to Wiggly. I am not sure she wants to take on the role of motherhood yet.  Any ducklings produced with a mallard would be hybrids and their survival would be doubtful.  I am not sure they could even fly as Wiggly cannot.

As for Conner, Cochise, Connie and Carol, (the other domestics) they are already paired up and tightly knit. But, it is one thing to survive in the wild.  It is another to successfully raise young -- especially in a heavily human and dog used park during warm weather.

I don't expect to see ducklings from them, but who knows?  So far, these four "barn" ducks have proven themselves to be extremely smart and resilient, so perhaps anything is possible.

Despite the survival of all known geese, ducks and one swan over the winter, there is one goose who did not have an easy time of it.

That is Jessie, the "loner" goose discovered at the Meer in December who apparently lost her mate or family.

For some weeks, Jessie continued to wait and search,  often "calling out" in the water or along the embankment.  But as the weather became more hostile and it was clear Jessie was not going to be reunited with her lost flockmate(s), she eventually was compelled to "tag along" with a new goose family.  Unfortunately, the lead gander of the chosen family was (and is) quite the task master and is not known for warm and fuzzy acceptance of new flock members.

Jessie has the scars and missing feathers to show for her (so far) hard life.  She is the low goose on the totem pole and has to put up with almost constant chasing, pecking and harassment from the others, particularly the lead gander.

But, as the weather warms, the lead gander will eventually "kick the kids out of the nest" (and is already showing signs of that) to again be solely with his mate.

It is hoped that at that time Jessie can eventually know some peace and acceptance by either staying with the younger, unpaired geese (who are not so combative) or if old enough, finding a new mate.

Much remains to be seen.

So, as old man winter prepares to begrudgingly leave and the hormones of spring begin to kick in, there are changes that will inevitably come.

My hope is that they will be the kind of changes associated with new life and renewal and not those too often associated with spring and summers in New York City -- Goose massacres and waterfowl injuries due to discarded fishing lines and barbed hooks.

Spring, an unknown and often forbidding entity in New York City.  -- PCA

                                                                       


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Winter Winds, Face Recognition and Tangled Webs of Deception

The haunting, skeletal trees in winter blowing in the wind. I will miss this.....

"I see you!" -- Beautiful Jessie.

 

The Birds, The Wind and Me

Bouncing around YouTube, I stumbled upon this song which was a favorite when I was a kid.   ("The Wayward Wind" by Gogi Grant)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax1tZhW_0hk

"Next of kin to the wayward wind."

I relate to this, particularly over the past few months.   Very chilly and blustery winter in New York, but have grown to really love it.  Will hate to see winter go.    With it, go most of the geese.

So far (though spring is less than a week away), it has remained cold, gray and stormy in NYC.

But, I am hanging on to it like an icicle clinging to a tree.

Central Park has been so beautiful, quiet and "wild" over the past several months -- especially at night.

Many times I felt it was just the birds, the wind and me.

But, all of that will soon change.  

And I am not looking forward to it.

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They Never Forget a Face -- Pigeons, Crows, Ducks and Geese's Abilities to Recognize and Remember.

A fascinating article about pigeons' abilities to recognize and remember human faces:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2011161/Pigeons-forget-face-arent-fooled-change-clothes.html

But, of course this is not just true of pigeons, but crows, geese and ducks as well.

Though she was gone for two months, Jessie immediately recognized me when returning to Harlem Meer this past week.  I usually wear different clothes and I don't always have my two dogs two with me so I know the recognition has nothing to do with those things.

Canada geese in fact, have excellent memories of human faces that can span years.

When "Mama and Papa" returned to Turtle Pond with their yearling goslings after being gone for almost a year, all geese immediately recognized me in 2011.

Apparently, the night vision of Canada geese -- and ducks is also excellent.

"Buster" (the lead gander of the feisty goose family) and his charges come flying from clear across the darkened lake when I show up, as do the domestic ducks.

I often don't see them when arriving to the Meer, but they certainly see me from quite far away.

And as geese and ducks quickly learn which humans to trust and which not, they also learn the same about other animals, including dogs -- which are naturally considered an enemy.

Both geese and ducks will readily walk up to my two dogs as they know they have nothing to fear from them.   But, they will bolt back into the water when other dogs pass.  Even old Hector, the swan has learned to trust my dogs -- though he generally hates dogs.

It seems a bit odd that scientists are only discovering these facts about pigeons now -- and apparently still haven't caught on about geese and ducks' similar abilities.

One would think these things would have been observed and known for hundreds of years.

Go figure.

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"Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave, When at First We Deceive."

If the CBS quote about "250,000 Canada geese in Westchester" made my hair stand up this past week, the statement from Mamaroneck Mayor, Norm Rosenblum that relocated "to one of the Carolinas" (flightless) geese suddenly flew back to Mamaroneck "before the trucks returned " totally blows one's mind:

http://larchmont.patch.com//articles/mamaroneck-mayor-not-convinced-geesebusters-will-work

The grossly inflated goose number figure cited in the first instance can be attributed to "mistake" or laziness on the part of the media and specifically, the CBS reporter. But, its doubtful there was deliberate intent to deceive and mislead.

But, in the second instance, there appears deliberate attempt to mislead and deceive both, the media and the public.

The mayor may have released a keg of worms in opening up this "past roundup and relocation" dialogue.

Its probable that some kind of past goose roundup occurred in Mamaroneck because its unlikely Rosenblum made the entire story up.

But, was the community and the press informed of this at the time?

When did the claimed goose roundup occur? Who or what conducted the roundup? And exactly where were the geese supposedly "relocated?"

Since geese are common everywhere, no community would welcome flocks of them sent from another location.  Usually when rounded up, the geese are either gassed or slaughtered (especially in New York).  

If geese from Mamaroneck were killed and the community was not informed, that is a huge issue, as community notification is a legal requirement for goose culls. 

However, in rare instances geese are "relocated" somewhere else.  But, that is usually to hunting ranges.  Flightless geese are literally "sitting ducks" in those instances.

The mayor truly steps into it by claiming the supposedly "relocated" geese returned to Mamaroneck "before the trucks."  

Flightless, molting geese don't fly.  (And that is precisely why geese are easily rounded up during their molting period -- They cannot escape.)   

But, if (other) geese  flew into Mamaroneck immediately following a claimed roundup, then that is proof positive that these roundups DO NOT WORK.   As long as the environment remains a goose paradise (water, short grass, open space) then other geese will fill the void creating a claimed "need" for further killing.

There are in fact, rare instances when USDA uses drugs (laced into food) and rocket nets to capture geese other times of the year when the birds can fly. 

But, that raises a whole new bunch of questions such as the impacts on the environment and other wildlife.

Moreover, drugged geese don't fly either.

So, why does Mayor Rosenblum make this claim if it is not true? 

That is the million dollar question.

When seeking justifications and rationalizations for any kind of slaughter, it is unacceptable to resort to lies -- especially from government officials.

Mayor Rosenblum is advertising either his total ignorance on geese and past "goose management" in Mamaroneck or he is showing his willingness to lie in order to get what he wants.

Either way, it is a tangled web of muck. -- PCA

                                                           


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Media Responsibility to Correct Mistakes -- Does it Exist?

Canada goose.  "To cull or not to cull?" It depends upon numbers. -- Numbers too often inflated and misreported by media.

 

Fox News did its homework this past week in properly researching and reporting some of the animal abuses and brutality of USDA "Wildlife Services."

This is the second of its two excellent reports:

Hundreds of family pets, protected species killed by little known federal agen

However, while Fox reporter, Christina Corbin was busy digging up facts, some of the folks over at CBS New York were apparently throwing facts at the wind.

On Wednesday night, the local CBS news (and reporter, Dick Brennan) reported that "The Canada goose population in Westchester has grown to 250,000."

Could A Decoy Be The Solution To The Westchester Goose Infestation? « CBS New

The "250,000" figure cited is the DEC estimated number of
Canada geese for the entire state of New York:

Officials Plan to Eliminate 170,000 Canada Geese in New York - NYTimes.com

This is no small error.  To cite a wildly inflated number of geese in a community (most likely larger than the human population in Westchester) is to grossly mislead the viewing audience or readership into believing there is an out of control goose "infestation" in the town.

Of course people are then going to clamor, "Something must be done about the geese!"

Personally, I attempted to both leave comment and also call into CBS New York to point out this glaring error and request correction.

But, it appears reporters and news agencies rarely correct their mistakes.  If the public is misled, so be it.

But, that kind of mistake can and will most likely be deadly, not just for geese in Mamaroneck, but geese all over Long Island and New York City.

Totally inexcusable and unacceptable.

New agencies bear responsibility for checking and reporting facts, as well as correcting any mistakes.

WCBS blows much of its credibility to allow a mistake like this to go uncorrected (even when pointed out to them) and one must now take with a grain of salt anything they supposedly "report."

Media is too often lazy and in bed with the very people they are supposedly in charge of overseeing and reporting on. It appears the days of the "Fourth Estate" being watchdogs for government, rather than mouthpieces for it are coming to a scary end.

Certainly, we cannot take as gospel truth that which often goes under the heading as "news."

We have do our own research, observation and thinking. -- PCA

                                                       

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Rationalization of Wildlife Killings and Goose Family Orders (Return of Jessie)

Return of Jessie, the "loner goose." - Brave little goose whose choices aren't always understandable, but apparently necessary for her survival.

"Dad" -- Lead gander of Jessie's adopted family. So intimidating and bossy that even Hector the swan keeps respectful distance.

 

"We Don't Condone.  We Just Do."

Fox News has apparently dug its heels into USDA "Wildlife Services."

Today, there is a follow-up to yesterday's excellent report, this one dealing specifically with WS's killing of pets (also, a must read to share with others):

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/03/13/hundreds-family-pets-endangered-species-killed-by-little-known-federal-agency/?intcmp=trending

It is interesting that in nearly all of these articles, WS claims that it "does not condone animal cruelty" and usually attributes reports of brutality to isolated incidents.

One imagines that if interviewing murderers in prison, most would say they "do not condone murder," but did it anyway.

A good example of that is murder defendant, Jodi Arias who, when recently testifying on the stand claims she is morally opposed to violence and murder.  But, she has admitted to violently murdering her ex-boyfriend (by shooting and multiple stabbing) supposedly in "self defense."

Wildlife Services cannot cry supposed self defense in its systematic brutality and killing of millions of animals a year, including family pets.

But, it can always use euphemisms to cover up those crimes (such as "euthanasia") and attribute any documented abuses to isolated incidents, exaggeration or over zealous reporters.

And of course they can always claim they "don't condone animal cruelty."

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/03/12/animal-torture-abuse-called-regular-practice-within-federal-wildlife-agency/

No, like Arias and other killers, they just do it.

It seems that what we "don't condone" in others is somehow acceptable to ourselves provided we can conjure up enough rationalizations and euphemisms for it.

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Family Orders

The migratory geese who spent a good part of the winter at Central Park's Reservoir have departed both, the Reservoir and the North Meadow where many had been "fueling up" on grass just prior to their long journeys north.

Things are eerily quiet now that migratory geese have left these two locations, though there is still plenty of waterfowl activity at Harlem Meer.

Although migratory geese have seemed to also leave the Meer,  two families of geese remain, both of whom can be presumed to be resident NYC geese.

One of these is the "bad family" that Jessie (the loner goose present a few months ago), joined up with in January.  (I call them the "bad family" because the lead gander is particularly intimidating and bossy to both, his own family and other geese and his presumed "kids" are taking up much of the same behavior.)

It was a pleasant surprise to note Jessie's return earlier in the week with her "adopted" family, though her status appears to be no higher than when she left with them two months ago.

Jessie is still a low status, "tag along" goose who though while traveling with the family and staying in their general vicinity, is careful to always keep respectful distance.

Two nights in a row, I found Jessie roosting alone on the same familiar embankment while the rest of the gaggle was in the water nearby.

When all the geese gathered on the embankment to grab some cracked corn, Jessie was chased and pecked by several members of the gaggle, especially the temperamental "dad."  At least several times she was sent unceremoniously back into the water.  But, Jessie always returned.  (Dad is also giving his own kids the "bums rush" so to speak, but that is normal paternal behavior in spring when ganders want alone time with their mates.)

I have long been puzzled why Jessie chose to tag along with this family (who appear quiet cantankerous and unwelcoming) as opposed to the more peaceful and laid back family of seven geese who, like this group, also have bounced back between the Meer and the Reservoir over the winter.

I guess Jessie feels particularly "safe" and protected around the mean family, though there is obviously a price for that. 

She is the odd goose out.

Meanwhile, the other geese (who I am guessing to be "the peaceful seven") mostly stay to the far south east side of the lake.  One supposes if they dare to venture over some invisible line in the water, they catch hell from Jessie's adopted family -- though certainly not from poor Jessie herself.  She is extremely yielding and timid, though able to hold her own.

I am guessing the roughly 15 geese at the Meer now will only be there for the next few weeks -- or until the weather warms and fishermen (and other human activites) return to the Meer in force.

Weather for March is still a bit chilly in New York City and below normal temperatures.

But, for the geese and ducks of our parks, that is actually a good thing.

Peace (for the moment) still reigns. -- PCA

                                                           


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