(Photo: One of the geese at the Boat Lake in Central Park yesterday.)
Safe Sanctuary
A pleasant and informative report today from a wildlife refuge in Maryland:
Thousands of migratory geese on the move these days.
For those arriving to the particular Maryland refuge, it is a wise choice as the refuge is free from the guns of autumn. Apparently, the only "shooting" that occurs in this location is that done with cameras. The quest for beautiful photos can be every bit as challenging and exciting as what hunters claim hunting to be.
What is somewhat mystifying is the fact that most migratory geese travel this time of year, however, those migratory geese wintering in New York City don't usually arrive until later.
Last year, migratory geese staying in Central Park for winter did not arrive until the first week in December (Exactly on my birthday to be precise. I was very excited with the special present last year.)
One wonders if those geese wintering further north wait until a later time to migrate? Are they more comfortable with cold? Or, are they just smarter about avoidance of hunters?
The hunting season is over in most locations by December.
There are a few new geese in Central Park over the past couple of weeks. But, I am reasonably certain those are NYC "resident" geese simply doing their local migrations.
Buster and his "bad family" returned back to the Boat Lake almost two weeks ago. And since then another flock of resident geese was observed at Harlem Meer for a couple of days and approximately ten other geese have arrived to the Boat Lake over the past week.
I cannot be absolutely certain, but it seems that Mama and Papa geese might have returned back to the Boat Lake with three of their adult kids as of yesterday.
The five geese were in the water near the Oak Bridge.
One of them appeared smaller and darker than the others and looked up at me when I called out, "Mama? Is that you?"
But, since I could not see their feet or observe them walking, I could not be certain of identity. (Mama has missing webbing on one foot and her mate, Papa walks with a pronounced limp.)
I shared this speculation with Lianna who regularly monitors the Boat Lake. She is on special alert to let me know if in fact, Mama and Papa return to the Boat Lake.
Mama and Papa are of course very special and cherished geese who usually return to Central Park in October.
It is sure sign of "fall migrations" when these two resident geese return to their familiar wintering spot.
Both, Lianna and I are keeping our fingers crossed.
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Prospect Park Dalliances
This morning, a top official of the Prospect Park Alliance finally returned my phone message of almost two weeks ago, regarding fishing abuses and/or wildlife neglect at PP.
The conversation was not pleasant.
I attempted to discuss several matters with the official from the gassing of 368 Prospect Park geese in 2010 to current harassment of geese in winter to fishing injuries to wildlife to the swan currently in distress at Prospect Park due to an attached cord (and hook?) of some kind.
The official's answers?
"USDA rounded up the geese in 2010." "Volunteers talk to the fishermen and pick up debris." "Experts determine goose control measures." "Rangers could not get swan and determined the swan to be OK."
The man talked a mile a minute and it was difficult to get a word in edgewise. I had to become somewhat like Joe Biden in the debate last week (i.e. interrupting) -- though without the derisive laughter.
There were responses to all of the excuses and explanations, some of which have been previously covered in this blog.
Yes, it was USDA that rounded up and gassed all of Prospect Park's resident geese in 2010. But, the park was complicit in that decision and signed off on it.
Yes, volunteers try to talk to fishermen and prevent fishing injuries to wildlife, but they do not have power of law enforcement.
Any "expert" who recommends harassing migratory geese in winter is lacking knowledge on goose migratory patterns (migratory geese leave on their own accord in February) as well as responsible for wastes of money and cruelty to birds trying to survive in winter.
Finally, I told the gentleman that Urban Park Rangers are not properly equipped for water bird rescue until such time the birds are almost dying. That is simply not acceptable.
It was surprising that the gentleman could not tell me how many geese are currently in PP.
Apparently, the PP Alliance signs contracts with a goose harassment company without actually knowing how many geese are in the park.
This past year no harassment measures of any kind were conducted on the geese at Central Park because according to Conservancy officials, "The geese's numbers are too low."
This was a correct and responsible assessment.
It is important for park leaderships to be aware of actual goose numbers in the park -- especially when harassment or "culling" operations are considered or undertaken.
"Harassing" a handful of birds in a park is unnecessary, cruel and a waste of tax or donation funds. Harassment of migratory birds in winter is completely senseless and pointless.
In essence, the leadership of Prospect Park remains questionable and not at all on par with that of Central Park.
I am proud and thankful to live near a park that maintains a sense of care and responsibility towards its wildlife.
Sadly, we simply cannot say the same for Prospect Park. -- PCA
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