(Photos: 1-- Reservoir goose, July 4th. 2-- "Brad and Wiggly. 3-- "Honker," new (domestic?) duck at Harlem Meer.
So far, we have had nine straight days of 90 degree and above temperatures in New York City.
Tomorrow, it is expected to go up to nearly 100 degrees.
I can't help thinking of USDA goose roundups that have occurred over this period of intense and unusual heat and the unjustifiable suffering these animals are forced to endure on their hell journeys to a slaughterhouse somewhere in the "western part of the state."
Anyone looking at a map of New York knows New York City is very far from any western point in the state.
There is no doubt that the 255 geese reportedly rounded up and killed so far from New York City died both horribly and unjustly.
Still, there is potentially very good news to report.
According to an official from the Central Park Conservancy, (Frank Locastro, in a phone conversation yesterday), "There will absolutely not be goose roundups from Central Park! The geese are safe in Central Park."
One hopes that such emphatic statement can be taken as gospel.
Hoerver, an abundance of caution and vigilance are still necessary for two reasons:
First, it is well known that park (and other) officials are primarily noted for almost always telling the public "what the public want to hear." I am not sure that park leaderships would necessarily tell inquiring callers the truth even when directly asked. -- especially if they feared protest or media exposure to a controversial action.
Secondly, not all personnel are necessarily informed when federal goose roundups occur.
For example, when 368 geese and goslings were rounded up from Prospect Park in 2010, it seems only those at the very top of the Prospect Park Alliance were aware (and gave permission) beforehand that the gassings would occur. Even Park Rangers were caught by ugly and shameful surprise.
For these reasons, while it now seems extremely unlikely that a roundup and slaughter of our Central Park geese will occur, it is still necessary to be aware, alert and to consistently monitor our park geese during these final couple of weeks of the molt.
In the struggles to save wildlife, nothing can ever be taken for granted or at face value.
Still, it is good to have this quote from an official of the Central Park Conservancy. It affords one a sense of hope and some feeling of relief -- though I sincerely hope the latter is not premature.
Speaking of our Central Park geese, all are currently doing well and none seemed particularly perturbed by the various July 4th celebrations from the past week.
One cannot see the Macy's fireworks from most areas of Central Park, (including the Boat Lake), however, one can hear the "booms and pops" in the distance.
Though never having experienced the sounds of fireworks before, the grown goslings of Buster and Bonnie seemed a bit spooked and jumpy at first, but since neither parent reacted, the goslings soon settled down. Mama, Papa and their adult "kids" have of course experienced fireworks many times before so they were completely unmoved and non-plussed. Just another night in the park for them.
Moving on to the Reservoir on the night of July 4th, I expected the geese and ducks there to be totally spooked as Macy's fireworks are actually visible from various parts around the water. Last year, for example, all the geese and mallards congregated as far away from the sounds and exploding lights as possible -- to the farthest, north east corner of the Reservoir.
But, the geese and ducks must have good memories because this year they didn't seem at all unnerved. Most were relaxing towards the western, middle part of the water has if nothing had occurred.
Of course I arrived to the Reservoir shortly after the fireworks had completed, having spent too much time with the Boat Lake goose families. Most of the small crowds of people that typically gather around the Reservoir every July 4th had already left.
Nevertheless, its pretty obvious that the geese and ducks at the Reservoir this summer are the same ones who were there last year and have thus grown accustomed to the various activities that can occur in or around a NYC park. Little seems to phase them this year.
The same cannot be said for the ducks at Harlem Meer -- well, except for Brad who by this time, is used to everything and to lesser degree, his partner, Wiggly. Bombs could go off and I don't believe Brad would even flinch.
Nevertheless, there are many "new" ducks at Harlem Meer, particularly several families of ducklings that hatched as early as this past April. Though almost fully grown now, the ducklings have been very spooked by the various firecrackers, streamers and noise-makers associated with the nights leading up to the 4th of July.
Additionally, there is a new duck at the Meer who I noticed more than a week ago.
I don't know what kind of duck "Honker" is. He might be a domestic duck or he might be some kind of hybrid,. All I know is that he is bigger than the mallards and has the strangest "quack" I have ever heard. -- It is in fact, more of a "honk" and thus the name.
Honker is extremely chatty and in fact, never shuts his mouth. I think he is a "he" because of the somewhat pushy behavior around the mallards -- like Brad -- but I could be wrong on that. Wiggly, these days seems to be adapting some of the "pushy" behavior of Brad and she is a girl.
In any case, Honker was extremely freaked by the firecrackers and other goings-on at the Meer just prior to the 4th. He jumped at every sound and spent most of his time hiding out in the water. Then again, most of the mallards, including the adolescent ducklings stayed in the water during most of the celebrations.
Brad and Wiggly, on the other hand? Well, as said, bombs could go off......
Matters were much quieter and calmer at the Meer last night -- although Honker wasn't "quiet."
I found Honker loudly chatting, honking and hanging out with Brad and Wiggly, though to this point, Brad is totally ignoring Honker.
If Honker is indeed a "domestic" duck like Brad and Wiggly, Brad will have no real use for him -- until the beginning of winter.
Brad, always being the "calculator" only takes new birds into his "flock" according to need. And that "need" is primarily in winter, when he needs the cooperation of other birds (particularly domestic ducks who can't fly anywhere) to help keep the lake from freezing over.
But, right now, Brad has no use for Honker at all and so he maintains an air mostly of indifference.
It is truly fascinating to observe the behaviors of both, ducks and geese. If we think it is only humans who think, plan, calculate and consider the future, that is dead wrong. Both geese and ducks do these things routinely.
I personally believe Brad is always calculating the "tomorrows." That has been very evident for the years he has survived at Harlem Meer. Brad may be a "user" but he is a very smart and clever one and that is exactly why and how he has survived so long in an otherwise challenging and sometimes life-threatening environment.
Still, I miss the geese who used to almost always be a presence at Harlem Meer.
There are no geese at the Meer so far this summer.
Part of the reason for that are low goose numbers generally around the city (Thanks, USDA! -- NOT!)
But, the other reason, (I believe) are what seem to be "goose distress sounds" still emanating from around the Meer.
I asked Locastro about these yesterday, but he would not provide an answer. "Maybe there is a sick goose around there somewhere."
But, there haven't been any geese at the Meer for the past two months!
Either goose distress sounds are being used around the Meer or there are some sick and bellowing cows hiding out and dying in the tall grasses and marshes around the lake.
The latter doesn't make sense.
Nevertheless, presuming goose distress sounds are currently being used at the Meer to "scare geese away" (strange, since geese can't fly now anyway) I have not officially complained about these because the Central Park geese are actually in better and safer locations than Harlem Meer. Too many fishing lines around Harlem Meer for goose feet to get entangled in.
However, should these sound devices also be used in the cold weather (when migrating geese arrive to the Meer to "winter"), they will be an object of adament scorn and complaint.
It is simply cruel, wasteful and pointless to "harass" migratory AND resident geese just trying to get through the winter wherever open water is available.
Migratory geese always leave by the middle of February anyway.
Speaking of "complaint," if I sound like some whining battle-ax who constantly harasses park leadership, that is not true. I try to keep complaints limited to only those which are the most pressing, immediate and egregious.
Certainly, this time of year, the greatest concern are those pertaining to potential roundups and slaughters of Canada geese.
It is extremely important for park leaderships to be aware of the concerns and priorities of their park goers.
We know from the many national articles published about park roundups of geese these usually occur due to "public complaint." (To view these articles and other information, please go to: (25) Call of the Canada Geese )
One example is Virginia Beach where recently, more than 40 geese were rounded up and slaughtered by USDA due to the vociferous "complaints" of a few people who didn't like geese either at the lake or wandering onto lakefront lawns:
What has become abundantly clear over these past few years of goose gassings and slaughters occurring in almost every area of the country, is that it is the people who CARE about protecting the wildlife in our parks who have to FIND THEIR VOICES - just like those who seem to hate everything that flies, swims or crawls. .
Judging from the poll included in the above article an overwhelming percentage of the respondents (74%) opposed the goose slaughters.
But, we need people to be even more expressive BEFORE roundups actually occur -- and that means being in regular contact with the people actually running public parks and determining policy. If that makes some of us "pains in the asses," so be it.
The fact is, love and care by themselves aren't enough.
Rather, they need to have voice.
Silence kills. -- PCA
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