A Happy Thanksgiving Surprise -- The Geese Are Back!

Happy Day!  The four domestic ducks celebrate arrival of Canada geese last night (swimming in background).

Sharing bounty with mallards and geese!

Some geese, butts in the air, "fishing" for plants and insects.

 Something to be thankful about!  -- The Geesies are Back!

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For the past couple of days, New York has been in a deep freeze.

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Temperatures dipped to near record level lows and high winds caused many of the lakes and ponds in Central Park to show the first signs of freezing and ice.

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But, the news isn't all bad.

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Frozen lakes or ponds in places north of the city have apparently forced some local Canada geese to make their way back to Manhattan and specifically, Central Park!

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Imagine the surprise to go to Harlem Meer the other night and discover a flock of at least 25  to 30 Canada geese resting in the middle of the water!

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I had not seen a goose at the Meer since the death of Cago nearly two months ago. (Well, there was that flock of 5 migratory geese who landed briefly at the Meer several weeks ago, but they were promptly harassed out by Geese Police.)

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It was thrilling to once again see geese at Harlem Meer -- especially at a time ice had formed at the east side of the lake and was also appearing around the lake's edges.

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The more waterfowl on the water (especially heavy birds like Canada geese), the less likely the moving water is to ice over.  

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This is vital for the survival of the four domestic ducks at the Meer who are incapable of flight should the entire lake freeze over.

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But, the question was, would the geese be allowed to stay?  Or, would they immediately be harassed out by Geese Police?

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Last night when returning to the Meer, I did not expect to still see the geese.

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But, low and behold, they were there!

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Obviously not elusive, purpose driven, migratory geese (who generally only rest less than a day before moving on and who almost always fly into the Jackie Onassis Reservoir) these geese were comfortable at the Meer and seemed familiar with it.

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Some of the geese joined the mallards and domestic ducks last night in scooping up bits of cracked corn tossed on the muddy embankment, while many others were busy ducking under the water with white butts in the air, swooping up water plants or tiny insects.

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I speculated that the fairly sizable gaggle of geese might be the same ones who, last February 9th, flew into the Meer during a bitter snow storm that likely froze up their wintering pond or lake:

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http://talesamptailsofnewyork.blogspot.com/2013/02/like-lone-ranger-geese-arrive-to-save.html

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At the time, the nearly 50 geese had indeed "saved the day" for the domestic ducks and small flock of mallards who were otherwise dealing with a nearly entirely iced over lake. The geese stayed for several days (until the weather warmed) and helped to maintain a large pool of open water despite the freezing temperatures and nearly a foot of snow.

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Circumstances weren't quite so rough this time around as there was no snow and temperatures have warmed up today (though with lots of rain).

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I am not sure if the geese will hang around a while or, if like last winter, they will return to their normal watering hole with warming temperatures.

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Or, they could be harassed out of Harlem Meer by Geese Police which has been the story for almost the entire year so far.

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Still, it was surprising that the geese were at the Meer (apparently unmolested) for two days in a row.

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Did Geese Police not show up yesterday morning to harass the geese away?

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I called my friend, Liliana (who monitors the Central Park Boat Lake and usually goes in the mornings) to ask if she had seen Geese Police over the past couple of weeks and her answer was "No," she had not seen them at all since about ten days ago.

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Has goose harassment been suspended in Central Park for the winter?

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From what the man from Geese Police told me, we have to surmise the answer is no.

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But yet, it was really strange and unusual to see a large gaggle of geese at Harlem Meer for two days straight.

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Myself, the domestic ducks and even the mallards were purely and totally delighted.

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Our cup runneth over this Thanksgiving!

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If Central Park has indeed suspended the dreaded Geese Police for the winter, then I and all the waterfowl of Central Park have something to be truly thankful and grateful for this Thanksgiving.   -- PCA

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Tender Human Mercies and Winter's Challenges to Waterfowl

Conner, Cochise, Connie and Carol preparing for the "Arctic Cold Blasts" soon to come.

"What's ours is yours!" the domestics now say to the mallards who only weeks before were nothing but "nuisance invaders."

Migratory Canada geese briefly resting at CP Reservoir two nights ago. They stayed for less than a half hour before taking off again.

Off the geese flew into a cloudy and overcast night. -- Seemingly in a hurry to get out of NYC before the frigid weather arrives.

Observed last night at Harlem Meer in Central Park: 

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A father and three-year-old boy tossing small bits of wheat bread to the four domestics ducks at the Meer, the child giggling wildly in happy delight.

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"That's nice that you show your boy kindness and value for animals," I said to the man, smiling.

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"Oh, we just stopped at the store for some bread before coming here," the man laughed.  "My son loves to feed the ducks and looks forward to it."

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Later, I thought to myself what a nice moment that was.  This is one child that we need not worry about growing up and joining gangs or bullying other kids in school.

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Aside from important father/son bonding, the demonstration of compassion and kindness to others smaller and different from themselves are among the most important values we can teach our children.

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Were more parents (and society itself) to place value and emphasis on this critical life lesson, one suspects it would be a far kinder, just and relatively, crime-free world.

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As far as the "fab four" ducks themselves, it appears that Cochise, Conner, Carol and Connie are well aware of impending weather changes and have thus, in recent days, adjusted their behavior towards the mallards who are (in warmer times), generally considered "nuisance" invaders.

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Instead of relentlessly chasing off and intimidating mallards, the domestic ducks are rather, rolling out the welcome mat for them these days.

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"Come join us!  We are your friends! Relax and share some treat with us! What's ours is yours!"

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It is always amusing to note the changes in duck (and goose) behavior according to the seasons and the weather.

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During fair weather and season, there is much territorial squabbling and boundary establishment.

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But, come the first frosts and the snooty, cantankerous behavior rapidly changes to that of magnanimous welcome and mutual cooperation.

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On some level, even the domestic birds realize they are going to need additional waterfowl "help" if they are going to succeed in keeping pools of moving water during sub-freezing temperatures and quickly icing lakes.

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As far as migrating Canada geese, there too are the signs of mutual cooperation and organization as the stresses and challenges of thousand mile migrations do not allow for petty squabbling or dominance displays.

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Of the more than 1,000 Canada geese observed over the past month flying into, briefly resting and then taking off from the Central Park Reservoir to complete long journeys south, there has been no incident of any kind of aggression or squabbling.

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Should there be any "disagreement" among the many flocks of exactly when to go, some gaggles simply take off sooner than others.  Most of the time, all the geese generally leave in the same time frame.  But, occasionally, a family group or two decide to rest and roost at the Reservoir overnight and leave in the morning.

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If I have wondered over the past month where all the migratory geese were heading to, I got some answer in a recent email from a friend in Alabama who informed me that in the past few days, more than "400 geese" suddenly showed up in her local park!

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I could not help but wonder if at least some of those 400 geese were one's I had seen or even photographed flying out of the Jackie Onassis Reservoir?

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If so, that is an impressive journey from NYC to Alabama.

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Last night, I saw no geese at the Reservoir, but perhaps that is not too surprising.

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Geese tend to be steps ahead of the various "Arctic Cold Blasts" predicted to hit New York City, one of which is heading in now through the rest of the weekend.

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I always say, if one wants to know what the weather is going to be like in the days ahead, just pay attention to the geese and ducks.

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They know when to get out of town days and weeks in advance -- or to alter their behavior accordingly if unable to fly out.  

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But, hopefully, through all the challenges of winter, there will always be parents and small children willing to show mercy and share some of their bounties with the birds of our parks who (unlike the geese and wild mallards) may be unable to take flight when the going gets really, really tough. -- PCA

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The Only Thing Predictable About Canada Geese is That They are Unpredictable

They come and they go. But, exactly, where, when and how many migratory Canada geese take to sky (and even whether they honk), is ultimately impossible for us mere humans to forecast.

 

The only thing really predictable about Canada geese is that they are unpredictable.

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But, it isn't just me saying that.  Its also the experience of some hunters:

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http://www.kcrg.com/sports/local/Great-Outdoors-Hunting-for-Geese-on-the-Cedar-River--232754671.html

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Like the hunter in the above video, I too, got some surprises last night when walking through Central Park.

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Arriving to the Jackie Onassis Reservoir around 6:PM, I was suddenly beset by the sight of dozens of new migratory Canada geese in the water!

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But, wasn't migration supposed to be finished by now?

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Almost everything ever read or heard about bird migrations cited October as typical fall migration time.

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But, geese have been arriving to and leaving the Central Park Reservoir over the past month in bands of unpredictable waves.  

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Just when one thinks the last of the migrating birds have come and gone, new ones show up!

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But, most of the visiting geese did not stay long last night at the Reservoir.

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I knew by the chorus of short, loud and dog-like excited honks, most of the geese were preparing to leave.

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Sure enough, within minutes, one flock took off for the dark skies and then another and another.

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The "flocks" ranged in size from as many as 25 geese to as few as a pair.

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After all the excitement subsided, some geese elected to stay last night and roost at the Reservoir.  Presumably, the 25 or so geese left this morning some time after sunrise.

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But, I need learn not to make any "predictions" about these wondrous and mysterious birds who apparently adapt behaviors and flying patterns to whatever the circumstances are.

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After all, ain't it funny, that the one skein of geese flying close enough for the hunter to shoot at in the video, kept their mouths shut? --- Something highly unusual for flying geese.

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Never believe, no matter how long in observing Canada geese, that you know everything about them.

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Just when dumb enough to believe that, the geese will come, knock your beliefs to rubble and prove you wrong. -- PCA

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Appreciating the Otherwise Mundane and Taken for Granted

Conner, Cochise, Connie and Carol at Harlem Meer  -- OK for another day.

A nice piece from the New York Times today:

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http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/opinion/sounds-from-the-sky.html?emc=edit_tnt_20131119&tntemail0=y&_r=0

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These days in Central Park, I rarely hear anything, save the occasional sounds of overhead helicopters or airliners.

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I am missing the migratory Canada geese, who for the past several weeks, made brief rest stops at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir en route to mysterious points further south from New York.

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It was a very exciting and exhilarating time, but all too brief and transitory.

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I don't anticipate seeing more geese at the Reservoir until such time lakes and ponds upstate ice over and the geese (and other waterfowl) are forced to search open water in NYC. (Usually, mid December or early January.)

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Thankfully, the Jackie Onassis Reservoir rarely freezes entirely over during the winter.

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In the past, upstate geese would also take up brief residence at Harlem Meer during the harshest days of winter -- providing there was some open water there.

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But, now with "Geese Police" patrolling all other Central Park water courses every day, it is unlikely any wintering geese would be allowed to stay at the Meer. -- A situation that would be very misfortunate for the four domestic ducks there for exactly one year now.

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With absence of large, heavy birds like geese (or even Hector, the swan who was at Harlem Meer last winter) to help break up thin sheets of forming ice and maintain some open water, the Meer is likely to become a solid block of ice and that would surely place the four flightless ducks in immediate peril.  

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Mallards who are currently at the Meer have option to fly out when the going gets too tough and based on past experience, they surely will.  (Only "Mister, Mister" the mallard with a broken wing would be, like the four domestics, forced to stay to be ultimately stranded on ice.)

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Should the Meer freeze over this winter, (as is highly probable under current circumstances), all five ducks would require immediate rescue -- something not easy to accomplish when waterfowl are huddled on ice.

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Additionally, a frozen lake often results in some irresponsible dog owners, allowing their dogs to freely run on the ice (a situation very dangerous for the dogs, as well as waterfowl). 

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Three years ago, "Joey," a flightless, Pekin duck had to be rescued from the Meer when attacked and bitten by a dog apparently allowed to run on ice.  The rescue was a difficult and precarious one for Park Rangers trying to navigate carefully on snow and thin ice to capture Joey as recorded in the videos below.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-55OxJu8XAM

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSKtIgT0wN4

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Temperatures in New York City are predicted to fall below freezing by Thanksgiving, next week.

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Depending upon how long the cold spell, things could rapidly change at Harlem Meer. 

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Already, the mallard population is significantly down from what it was more than a month ago as duck weed and other foods sources dwindle and/or slowly disappear.

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Perhaps it is no small wonder that I always feel sense of relief and gratitude when seeing Cochise, Carol, Connie and Conner (the four barnyard ducks) waddle up to me each night at the Meer.

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"My" duckies have survived another day and are OK!

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In the absence of immediate urgency and trauma, one has to be thankful for and appreciate the small things of life and the otherwise mundane.

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One learns in growing older and hopefully wiser, never to take anything for granted as, like the weather and seasons, things can often and rapidly change -- usually without warning.  -- PCA

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Respect Without Prejudice and Denial -- A New and Future World for Animals?

What is the value of geese swimming in a pond, cows grazing in the meadow, a dog chasing a ball or a tiger walking the earth?

Recently, video of a young woman viciously kicking three geese in a public park surfaced both, on the Internet and television news:

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http://www.crestviewbulletin.com/news/law-enforcement/geese-s-former-owner-reclaims-birds-attacker-charged-with-animal-cruelty-1.235285

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The woman has since been identified and rightly charged with animal cruelty.

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But, what makes this story unique is the amount of public outrage expressed and shared, when the truth is that similar cruelties (and much worse) occur everyday on factory farms across the country to a variety of animals, including millions of chickens, turkeys, cows, calves, pigs, lambs and many more.

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On the same day I posted the above story to  (61) Call of the Canada Geese Facebook page, I also posted another story of more than 20 domestic ducks and geese who were shot and beaten to death in another public park (presumably with authorization). 

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 http://www.salisburypost.com/article/20131115/SP01/131119787/geese-inhumanely-slaughtered-at-rowan-memorial-park

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It was, however, the story of the individual woman acting in cruel and despicable manner that was widely shared and commented upon.

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But, wasn't the other story actually worse in terms of blatant cruelty ending in violent death to numerous animals?

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And is it not worse, the torments and cruelties that millions of animals suffer everyday both on factory farms and in slaughterhouses?

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What is it exactly that compels our outrage to rise up in one instance and seemingly go to sleep in others that are in fact, far more pervasive and egregious?

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Is it the fact that we are better able to discern clearly, those instances of civilian and individual animal cruelty, as opposed to industrial, corporate or governmental?

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Is it the fact that we are able to be more objective in identifying cruelty when we are not either directly or indirectly connected to it and derive no personal benefit?

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A couple of weeks ago, I shared on this blog my puzzlement when meeting two birders in Central Park who, though seemingly unhappy when witnessing two migratory geese chased and harassed out of Harlem Meer by Geese Police, were nevertheless resigned and accepting of the action.  I could not understand their seeming casualness with something that was obviously cruel and unnecessary under the circumstances.

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Now I wonder what the couple's reaction might have been had it instead been two rowdy teenagers or cruel adults perpetrating the action and terrorizing birds out of a park?

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Suspicion is, the couple would have complained to authorities.

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But, because the perpetrators of cruel action wore identifying and authoritarian uniforms, the action was therefore, rendered acceptable.

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Here is the question to ask however:

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Isn't cruelty, cruelty regardless of the victims or the perpetrators?  Are we not talking about actions resulting in pain, distress, torment or death to others?

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An infamous Russian dictator once said, "The death of one is a tragedy, the death of millions, a statistic."

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Unfortunately, that seems true in terms of us being able to "identify" or empathize with victims of injustice, cruelty or tyranny.

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It is easier to visualize and empathize with the pain of one, rather than millions.

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But, that should not discount or nullify our roles (if any) in the tyranny of millions.

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Nor should we excuse and accept cruelty because it is committed by someone in a uniform.

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In less than two weeks, millions of us will celebrate a national holiday over the bodies of animals who have been mercilessly treated throughout their short, unnatural lives, often brutalized and cruelly slain for our supposed "celebration" and benefit:

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12 Reasons You May Never Want To Eat Turkey Again

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But, few of us will protest or even think about that.

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A couple of weeks ago, the Washington Post ran a story about how new USDA regulations will speed up slaughter lines likely resulting in even more than one million chickens and turkeys being annually boiled alive:

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USDA plan to speed up poultry-processing lines could increase risk of bird abu

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But, there was not nearly the outrage over this news story as the one of the deranged woman kicking geese in a public park.

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That is because too many of us apparently sanction industrialized abuse of animals and support it with our purchase dollars, whereas virtually no one condones individual animal cruelty that does not immediately benefit us.

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Humans appear to be the only species capable of infinite denial of reality.

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Non-human animals exhibiting such denial of realities would surely be dead and/or headed for rapid extinction.

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Still, there are small glimpses of hope on the horizon:

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That hope, I personally believe, is in the hands of the photographers, videographers and everyday people who take the time to bring the natural world into the homes of millions via National Geographic documentaries, YouTube videos, undercover videos from factory farms and slaughterhouses, nature blogs and the like.

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For example, this story on the CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley last night:

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http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57612660/nature-photographer-captures-big-cats-in-the-wild-and-heartbreak-of-their-disappearance/

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Aside from the breathtaking photographs, its the statement of the photographer at the end of the video that is the most powerful and profound.

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From the video:

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"With just 3,200 tigers left in the wild, Winter's become an advocate. His new book will help explain why they're disappearing.

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"'But it goes back to the viewer,''' he said. '"Do you value a tiger walking the face of this earth? And if you do, let's get involved.'"

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Of all Winter's hundreds of thousands of images, an image of a mother and cub brought him to tears, almost asking that very question"  What is the value of tigers walking the face of the earth?"

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And so we too must ask ourselves, "What is the value of the cow in the meadow, or the turkey roosting in a tree or the dog chasing a ball or the ducks swimming in a pond or the goose flying in the sky?"

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An evolved and enlightened world will hopefully one day answer," "They (like us) are value in and unto themselves as they are (like us) one strand in the inexorable and forever fragile web of life."

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The woman viciously kicking at geese in a public park has been arrested and has to account for her crime.  Presumably (unless seriously mentally ill) she will never commit such crime again.

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But, it is all the unlabeled and unidentified crimes against animals everyday that we must truly acknowledge and atone for -- the ones that too often are result of and connected to us either directly or indirectly through blind acceptance of authority, consumer demand and/or purchase dollars.

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If we truly value, we must act to protect, not necessarily by ganging up on those individuals caught committing isolated and egregious acts, but through simple, everyday actions and decisions such as what to wear and what to eat, etc, etc.

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We have to once and for all, be willing to let go of our denials and rationalizations and learn respect without prejudice.

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Animals' place on earth was never for our entertainment, appetites or abuse.

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Like us, animals are simply entities caught up in the delicate web of life and (like us) cherishing that life and forever acting jealousy to guard and protect it, as well as the lives of their offspring.  -- PCA

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Soaring to Touch the Face of God -- Our Wondrous, Migratory Canada Geese

Soaring to touch the face of God?

I entered Central Park at 90th St around dusk last night, just as a flock of about 15 migratory geese were joyously honking and flying out!  They flew directly over my head -- but too fast and too dark to photograph.

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There were about 80 new migratory geese on the water.  I figured some would leave and waited around a bit, but after a while I moved to Harlem Meer to see and insure "my" domestic ducks were OK.  (They were.) 

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When I returned to the Reservoir, about half of the geese had indeed left, but around 35 to 40 still remained and roosted on the water for the night.

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So, I returned at sunrise to the Jackie Onassis Reservoir this morning.

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Sure enough, the roughly 40 geese were organizing in the water. They moved very slowly and deliberately and appeared reflective -- almost like humans in deep prayer.

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Though appearing from a distance as one large flock, the geese actually gathered into carefully designated groups (most likely, family).

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The excitement and anticipation were palpable.   Every now and again, a goose would rise up in the water and rustle wings.  "Its almost time!  Any minute now!"

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Back and forth the geese went in the water, but ever so slowly.  As if waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect wind direction and the perfect spot to take off.

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I waited and waited. Knowing for sure, they would leave, but not exactly when.

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Previous flocks would leave a half hour after sunrise.

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But this flock was particularly deliberate and fussy. Perhaps the winds were a bit too gusty early on. Perhaps the sun wasn't the right place in the sky.  To this group, everything had to be perfect!

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Finally, about an hour after the sun had risen, there was a sudden, loud chorus of honks and almost all the geese took off!

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They flew a full circle around Reservoir (warm up?) and then flew out of Reservoir at the most northern point, over the trees and over the park.

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(Geese either leave at most north eastern part of Reservoir or sometimes more east, directly out of park and towards Queens and Long Island -- presumably to avoid mid town, Manhattan high rises.)

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But, a pair of geese remained on water!

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The pair waited until the other geese had left and then took off, following the exact same path.

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(Surprisingly, some migratory geese actually fly in pairs, choosing apparently to follow main groups.  Perhaps this is to be especially cautious?  This could prove advantageous, if for example, the main skeins were to be confronted by hunters or other predators.  The pair would be sufficiently behind to suddenly change course.) 

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Though my hands nearly froze over the hour I was standing and waiting for the geese to take off (I wasn't appropriately dressed for non-activity in 47 degree temperatures), I managed to get off some photos that are posted in sequence on Facebook:

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https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.545661738845239.1073741836.114425621968855&type=1

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Though I had believed that most of the migratory Canada geese had already passed through New York City a couple of weeks ago on their journeys south, apparently, that is not entirely accurate.

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It seems rather, that the geese migrate in waves.

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Much apparently depends upon where exactly the geese originally emanate from, weather conditions, wind directions, phases of the moon and other factors.

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Nor, do all the migratory geese leave the Reservoir shortly after sunrise.

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Many gaggles elect to do their take-offs and flying at night. -- Usually, but not always, shortly after sunset.

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Canada geese are not that easy to figure out.  Just when you think you can predict their actions and behaviors, they turn around and surprise you.  -- The pair of geese leaving behind the others, for example.

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The geese may have small brains, but there is in fact, much calculation and forethought that apparently goes on inside the heads of Canada geese (as other animals).

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The only thing I know for sure, is that the geese are endlessly fascinating and wondrous to observe.

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And every time I see a skein of geese rise from the water, formulate their perfect "V's" over the buildings and trees of New York City to eventually disappear from view, I could swear they are soaring to touch the face of God -- Something we humans can never do, despite the mechanics we devise.   -- PCA

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Lucky Ducks, Not-So-Lucky Ducks and the Forever Wondrous Canada Geese

The three lucky, domestic ducks rescued from the Boat Lake this past Saturday.  On their way to a real home now.

Meanwhile, the four domestics at Harlem Meer for exactly one year now prepare for a long winter ahead.

Late stragglers of migratory Canada geese briefly resting at Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park.

Lining up shortly before take-off.

The three (debeaked) domestic ducks abandoned at the Boat Lake (in Central Park) a couple of months ago were rescued this past Saturday by my friend, Liliana and two other people concerned for them.

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The ducks were brought to The Wild Bird Fund, where they will soon be sent to join Casper in an upstate farm owned by florist.

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This is very good news considering the bitter weather soon to come, as well as constant harassment from Geese Police. 

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Geese Police still shows up everyday, despite there only being three geese now (At Boat Lake) in all of Central Park.

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One of the geese is a "loner" who likely his lost his/her mate or family (like Cago). 

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S/he tags along with the other two geese, the male of which, sometimes chases him/her off.  

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It is a very slow process for loner geese to be accepted by others.   Presumably, the daily harassment from Geese Police doesn't help, though these geese are used to that by now and take measures for avoidance, according to Liliana.

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Meanwhile, the four domestic ducks at Harlem Meer (for exactly one year now) continue to prepare for the cold winter ahead, along with the mallards.

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This is the time of year the birds have to "calorie load" in order to build fat reserves to get them through the lean times of winter. 

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With all the duck weed gone from the lake now, it is common to see the mallards munching on the grassy lawns that surround Harlem Meer. 

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The domestics (since they cannot fly) however, need to remain far more cautious and wary.

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They rarely venture out of the protected fenced-in areas of the Meer and are more reliant upon human handouts.

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Fortunately, many people who visit the Meer appear to care about the four domestic ducks and are frequently seen tossing treats to them on the sly (it is technically forbidden to feed "wildlife" even though the domestics are not).

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Without the kindness of strangers, these domestic birds would have a tough go of it -- particularly over winter. But, so far, they thankfully continue to thrive.

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As far as geese, I don't see any resident geese on my two miles walks everyday -- a situation that causes even further grief over the death of Cago more than a month ago.

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I am also missing the return and appearance of Hector, the mute swan who was harassed out of Harlem Meer last spring by Geese Police (along with a few geese).

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Hector had returned to the Meer last November, but so far, there is no sign of him.

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Unfortunately, Harlem Meer is not a hospitable place these days for any migratory birds, though it is surprising to see a gray heron hanging around the past couple of weeks.

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I have to hope that Hector did not fly to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge seeking "shelter from the storm" of Harlem Meer.

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Plans are in the works for the swans at Jamaica Bay to be killed by USDA WS -- just as the geese have been over the past two years.

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Indeed, the only bright spot in terms of migratory birds passing through NYC and specifically, Central Park has been the hundreds of gulls and geese who have peacefully utilized the Jackie Onassis Reservoir as brief stop off and resting point, before moving on.

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Though most have already passed through, there are still some flocks of late straggler geese who fly into the Reservoir almost daily and usually take off during the early evening.

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If I am really lucky, I occasionally get to enjoy the glorious sights and sounds of a gaggle of geese lining up on the water and honking loudly and joyously as they take off for the adventures of the great beyond.

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One can literally feel their enthusiasm and celebration lighting up the dark skies overhead as the geese journey through in their highly organized "V" formations.

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I have to admit to just a small tinge of jealousy, as so often it is wished I could join them. -- PCA

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Writing on the Wall for the Geese of Central Park?

Would-be Mama goose lamenting loss of unviable eggs this past summer in Central Park.

It is apparent that a few other people have questioned or even protested the excessive and irrational goose harassment at Central Park.  But as previously noted, the people are fed propaganda, exaggeration and are ultimately and usually pacified. ("Three geese are a health threat.")

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Or, in some cases, the public is simply ignored.

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These days if one calls the Central Park Conservancy to question the daily harassment of a pitifully small hand-full of geese at the Boat Lake or non-existent geese at the other CP lakes and ponds, one is transferred to a number to leave a message. Usually, no one calls back and the daily Geese Police activities continue unabated.

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In virtually all the instances of USDA Wildlife Services goose or other wildlife slaughters around the country, it is claimed that the public is "surprised."

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But, should we really be surprised when these slaughters occur?

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The signs and "red flags" are there all along.  We just don't see them. More importantly, we fail to speak up when matters are comparatively small and speaking out might actually make a difference.

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It is natural for many people to think under prevailing circumstances, "Harassment is not a big deal.  The geese aren't being killed."

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No, the geese aren't being killed today in Central Park..  But, they likely will be tomorrow.  

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Because the same vilifications and propaganda used to justify harassment of three geese on a large lake today, (as well as migratory geese) will be used later to justify a potential slaughter of the roughly 40 geese who return to Central Park in summer for molting and some attempted breeding.

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(I say "attempted" breeding because this past summer, all the eggs of the five nesting pairs of geese in Central Park were oiled and prevented from hatching.)

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One could of course theorize that with the current contract between the Conservancy and Geese Police (that apparently runs most of the year), the nearly 40 returning "resident" geese will be harassed out of Central Park this spring before they are able to re-establish breeding ground and molting residency.

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But, since most or all of the approximately 40 geese were originally hatched in Central Park, they (unlike other geese) are well used to harassment (and dogs for that matter) and are not easily deterred and frightened off.

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(Geese originally hatched at the Boat Lake in Central Park are even accustomed to boats, fishing, crowds and fireworks.)

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Chances are most of the Central Park resident geese will prevail through the spring and summer despite harassment.

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But, with what appears now to be a new "zero tolerance" for any geese in Central Park lakes and ponds, can these 40 resident geese be presumed to be "safe" over the summer molt, as they have been through even the worst of USDA goose slaughters throughout the city?  (Slaughters that have taken more than 5,000 geese over the past four years, including more than 1,000 killed at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge over the past two years.)

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I personally don't believe we can presume anything over the coming summer.

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As there has been notable change in both, the rhetoric CP is using against geese, as well as its actions,  I am personally concerned that CP leadership is being unduly influenced and pressured by USDA and other governmental agencies for a goose cull in the upcoming years. 

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While in the past it was somewhat comforting to think that too many people would bear witness to any potential USDA goose culls in Central Park, the fact that it is comparatively easy to mislead and frighten the public (and media) about geese opens doors for a potential slaughter.

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If such sounds "paranoid" on my part, one needs to read thoroughly this in-depth article from National Geographic that describes (among other things) USDA influence on policy makers in the airline industry -- basically championing bird culls as opposed to refinement and investment in the more effective avian radar to avoid bird and airline collisions:

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Bloody Skies: The Fight to Reduce Deadly Bird-Plane Collisions

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In recent years, I have personally watched the number of Canada geese in Central Park through late summer and early fall go from a couple of hundred several years ago to virtually none now.   But, even these pitiful three geese currently at the Boat Lake are being subjected to daily harassment as well as any other geese who fly into any of the other CP lakes or ponds.  (The Jackie Onassis Reservoir is, according to Geese Police, a separate entity from the rest of Central Park and under different leadership.)

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That most people (including birders and otherwise animal lovers) don't see this as "red flag," suggests we are not absorbing the information from prior USDA goose and wildlife culls around the country.  The fact is, discussion and planning for these deadly actions usually take place years before they actually occur.  

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We cannot act "surprised" by goose and wildlife culls when the groundwork for them has been laid months or years in advance and even when brought to our attention, we choose to look the other way and dismiss.

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While gratifying to know that some people have questioned and expressed displeasure with continuing goose harassment in Central Park, the numbers simply aren't enough to have actual impact and are rather, easily dismissed.

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The writing is seemingly on the wall for the nearly 40 resident geese who presumably make it back to Central Park this spring.

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One cannot discount the now likely prospect that they will ultimately end up in the 2014 USDA WS "Goose Removal Report."   --- PCA 

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