Fear Not the Foul Weather, But the Fair

(Photo:  1-- Casper, last night at Harlem Mere.  Tame and vulnerable as a kitten, but heart of lion.)

Casper, the Lion Hearted

He may be a duck, but in the few days that "Casper" has been observed at Harlem Mere, he is displaying amazing adaptability, resilience and guts.

(Casper is a domestic, white duck whose name has been changed from "Snow White" to "Casper" because I now  believe him to be a boy.) 

I personally did not hold out much hope for this bird's survival potential when first seeing him a few nights ago.

Casper's appearance was disheveled, dirty, undernourished and somewhat battered -- unlike the flocks of robust and hearty wild mallards and geese he was suddenly surrounded by.   

Casper is almost assuredly a "poultry market" duck who was likely destined to wind up on someone's dinner plate.

But, through some strange and lucky twist of fate, Casper instead found himself drifting alone one day on the water at Harlem Mere.

It must have been a terrifying experience for this flightless, (Pekin?) duck who, unlike all the wild mallards and geese, probably never saw grass or open water before and did not have flock mates to rely on for security and protection.

Indeed, Casper was a lonely and forlorn figure on the water when first discovered three nights ago.  His appearance reminded me a little of Brad just before the Rouen duck (who had survived years at Harlem Mere), died this past September.

I didn't think I would actually see Casper again.

But, in less than three days, there is remarkable change.

Casper has somehow initiated and imbedded himself into the flock of four domestic ducks (who also magically and mysteriously showed up at Harlem Mere this past week).  One suspects that all five birds were left at Central Park by either well meaning rescuers or irresponsible "pet owners." who no longer wanted their animals.

But, not only has Casper seemingly figured out quickly that he needed to find a flock to get an "in" with, but he also has learned the ropes at Harlem Mere with extraordinary deftness and speed.

Last night, Casper was roosting peacefully with the other four domestic ducks and scores of wild mallards and geese along the south embankment at Harlem Mere.

When arriving with my two dogs, Casper immediately recognized and came to me as quickly and openly as  other birds who have know me for many months or even years.

It occurred that Casper is actually a tame duck who despite neglectful (or even cruel) treatment by humans has innate trust.

Casper ate from my hand and even followed me around like a barnyard duck.

When shoved and pecked a bit by the more assertive geese and mallards, Casper held his own and didn't flinch or seek easy escape back to the water as a couple of his domestic companions did.

Rather, Casper and one of the other male domestic (black) ducks stood their ground.

Though a little concerned that Casper may be too trusting of humans for his own good, I am hopeful he (and the other new domestic ducks) will quickly pick up "warning and wary" cues from their wild cousins.

It is not after all, cold temperatures or blustery wind, rain or snow storms these birds have to ultimately worry about.

It is the dangers that come when they least expect and usually from those they most trust.

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"What Doesn't Kill You, Makes You Stronger"

There is good news on Oliver, the wild mallard who was rescued a few days ago with fishing line imbedded into his leg.

Rita from the Wild Bird Fund (where Oliver is recovering) called yesterday. 

Oliver is able to put some weight on the damaged leg now. He enjoys waddling in the small pool of the facility.  And according to Rita, he is a very "strong" if not, somewhat feisty duck.

He is being treated with calcium (to strengthen the bone) and antibiotics.

Prognosis for Oliver's full recovery is guarded, but optimistic. (His leg had been close to breaking from fishing line cutting into it and stopping the circulation.)

Rita told me they recently had a Canada goose at the hospital who was also unable to put leg down after it was ensnared in fishing line.  But, the goose fully recovered, was walking within a week and was later released back to his environment.

Hopefully, it will be the same for Oliver.  

Both, Lianna and I look forward to the day when we can pick up "King Oliver" (in her words) again and return him back to Harlem Mere.

It is speculated that what did not kill Oliver, will have ultimately made him stronger from the experience of having to go through and survive it.

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Fear Not the Foul Weather, But the Fair

As has been widely reported, the north east was hit with a devastating hurricane and nor'easter over the past few weeks.

What wasn't reported were these storms' impacts upon birds and other wildlife.

However, the New York Times recently published an excellent and informative article describing the nearly miraculous ways birds particularly avoid and adapt to whatever perils nature dishes out.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/13/science/birds-have-natural-ability-to-survive-storms.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0

From personal observations, I would concur with everything in the article -- and more.

For it isn't just wild birds who are incredibly adaptive to storms and other natural disasters, but domestic birds as well.

And yet, for all their smarts and seeming abilities to survive all types of natural calamities, what most dooms birds and other wildlife are human created disasters (such as oil spills) and cruelty.

That too, is verified in personal observations over the years.

I have never personally noted a special and observed goose or duck to perish due to challenges of blizzards, hurricane, nor'easter, frozen lakes or extremes in temperature.  

On the contrary, all who have been lost or maimed were victims of dog attacks, fishing tackle injury or USDA lethal goose roundups held in summer.

Here in New York City, we who care about the wildlife in city parks, fear far more the fair weather than the foul due to the extra human activities attendant with it. -- PCA

                                                              


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