Anticipation of the New Year and the Return of the Geese!

Same family of geese observed at Harlem Meer this time last year have again returned this year.

Scene at Jackie Onassis Reservoir last January as a couple of hundred migratory geese and ducks sought open water.  Will the same occur this year starting on the New Year?

It is two days before the new year. 

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I am eager to observe if the same scene that occurred last New Year's Eve in Central Park will repeat itself this year?

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http://talesamptailsofnewyork.blogspot.com/2013/01/and-swan-and-goose-shall-graze-together.html

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Certain things have changed over the past year.

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For one matter, Hector the swan has not been observed since leaving Harlem Meer last spring.  It is suspected he was harassed out by Geese Police at the time and perhaps might have been harassed again this fall when trying to return to the Meer.  Or, Hector might have perished since leaving the Meer -- especially if venturing to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, where mute swans are now targeted for death by USDA WS as the geese already are.

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Two of the domestic ducks previously written of (Wiggy and Honker) died this past spring -- likely due to dog attacks.  And the other four were recently rescued from Harlem Meer and are now thankfully, living the good life at last.

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But, during the past ten days, there has been a family of 8 geese at Harlem Meer and it is presumed these are the same geese (including Jesse) who were there exactly a year ago as the general behavior is identical and the geese remember me.  They seem to be well acclimated to Harlem Meer and Central Park in winter and are obviously local, as opposed to migratory geese.

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But, migratory geese (and ducks) have been arriving to the Reservoir over the past couple of weeks, some of which actually winter there.

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Many more are expected in the next couple of weeks as upstate lakes and ponds freeze over forcing the birds to fly south to seek open water.

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Fortunately, the Jackie Onassis Reservoir rarely freezes entirely over -- especially with hundreds of waterfowl on it.

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So, while hundreds of people will gather tomorrow night at the Reservoir to observe the fireworks occurring some distance away, I will join them -- but not with particular interest in pyrotechnic displays.

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I will be watching for the real show in and from the water. 

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Hopefully, the glorious sounds and sights of newly arriving Canada Geese.

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Welcome to the geesies and a Happy New Year!  -- PCA

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God, Guns and Crappie, the Visions of the Prince of Peace?

Canada geese: Among the most peaceful, tolerant and accepting animals on the planet. -- Also among the most maligned, demonized, persecuted and hunted by humans.

 One of the intriguing notes about many outdoors columns, as well as the hit show, "Duck Dynasty" is the way many hunters interchange "God" and "love" with detailed descriptions of blasting birds out of the sky or other animals out of woods and water. 

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An example of which is found in the following piece:

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http://www.dailystatesman.com/story/2036046.html

Aside from the perplexing and seemingly oxymoron phrase, "loving to death," perhaps I don't understand the meaning of either God or love. (Or perhaps I just don't believe in loving anything to death.)

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I don't recall however, ever reading in the bible that Jesus yelled, "Kill 'em!" when seeing a flock of birds in the sky or wildlife in the fields, forests or streams.

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So why is Jesus and God so often interjected into tales of pleasurable slaughter of wildlife?

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It seems more to conjure up justification and rationalization for ethically questionable activities than anything based upon what the Prince of Peace actually proselytized.

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I just wish hunters would cease throwing God and Jesus into their bloody mix of shattered feathers, limbs and corpses.

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It makes me think more of Jesus's brutal, unjustified and untimely death rather than His humble and heaven blessed beginnings.   

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It is not after all, only fellow humans and the son of God we have crucified.

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We especially (as in days of old) seem to excel in the torture and brutalization of the most meek and peaceful among us be they the lambs, cows, chickens, deer or Canada geese. 

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Thus, we seemed to have learned little from our past transgressions and sins as we still carry forth the love of violence and dominance today.

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All in the name of God, guns and crappie. -- PCA

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Six Geese a Laying

Snow and treats, the makings of a Merry Christmas for the geese of Christmas song.

"Hi Guys!  It wouldn't be Christmas without you!"

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Such were my words last night to the small gaggle of geese who came to greet alongside the mallards at Harlem Meer.

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Central Park was extremely peaceful and quiet with most people either scrambling for last minute gifts, or to make airline flights or preparing for Christmas church services   

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But, none of those things held special interest or appeal to me.

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I was exactly where I wanted to be.

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And I was not entirely alone as member of the human race.

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An African American couple celebrated the holiday, by tossing bread and other treats to some hungry mallards and geese who scampered gratefully on a pedestrian path to grab.

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"That's nice that you take time do that -- especially on a holiday." I smiled.

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"Well, its cold and they deserve a Merry Christmas too!" the man laughed.

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"You might want to feed them a bit closer to the water, " I cautioned. "People complain when the birds walk on paths and poop and that could spell trouble down the road. We need to be discreet and protect the birds overall welfare."

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Oh wow, we didn't think of that," the woman chimed in.  "Thanks for letting us know."

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"Well,. its the world in which we live.  We just have to be aware." I said, smiling again.

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At that moment, the wind kicked up and snow suddenly started to whip around.

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Nothing quite said, "Christmas" as snow suddenly making an appearance!

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After exchanging "Merry Christmases" with the cheerful and generous couple, I began to move on, feeling comfort and contentment that the ducks and geese had more than just me caring about them on this special and particular night.  It was turning out to be a nice and bountiful Christmas for them!

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Walking home amongst the peace, serenity and slowly drifting snow of Central Park, I thought of some of the things to be especially grateful for this Christmas:

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I am grateful that the "fab four" domestic ducks who spent the past year eking out an often precarious survival at Harlem Meer were finally rescued a couple of weeks ago and are now enjoying the good life in a safe and suitable home.

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I am grateful to all the good people of the neighborhood -- like the couple met last night -- who looked after these ducks, cared about them and the other wildlife and even offered the occasional treat despite arbitrary park "rules." 

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I am grateful to Caroline who helped greatly in both, the rescue and placement of the domestic ducks and I am most grateful to the wonderful people who took the ducks in.

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I am grateful for my health and that my aging legs can still trek two miles in heavy, blowing snow (though last night was merely a dusting).  

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I am grateful to all the good people devoting so much of their lives in trying to create a better and more peaceful world for the animals and for other humans.

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I am grateful to be blessed with a loving, accomplished daughter who, despite the miles and circumstances between us, never fails to show her devotion and caring.

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And likewise, I am grateful for the love of my life who though officially met 16 years ago, was in my life decades before that.

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He didn't give me six geese a laying (I am able to find the geese on my own) and nor did he give me five golden rings.

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He has given of himself.

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And in the end, that is what Christmas and every day should be about.

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To be able to give, receive and ultimately to be of and share ourselves.

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For it is in others (including nature) that our genuine and authentic selves are nourished, reflected and to be found -- the giving and sharing of love the greatest gift of all.

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Six geese a laying, you are found, loved and shared and may this coming year, your offspring hatch to experience the wonders of a new, peaceful and ultimately vibrant, dynamic world in which love and tolerance are the blood continually flowing through our veins.  -- PCA

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Real and House of Card, "Dynasty" Ducks

"Dynasty" ducks waiting out the softening ice last night at Harlem Meer in Central Park.

 The Real Ducks Waiting it Out

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As weather has warmed, the mallards of Central Park have been returning to Harlem Meer over the past couple of days.

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But, unlike the frigid, snow-laden nights of this past week when a few ducks remained and desperately tried to do battle with the quick forming icy lake by swimming non-stop circles in a small pool of water, the returning ducks have been taking it easy.  

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They are apparently keenly aware of the brief warming trend and that the ice will melt on its own. No need thus, to waste energy.

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The past couple of night have found the mallards casually loafing on the icy lake, barely moving a muscle.

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They have only to wait it out.....

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The Human "Duck Dynasty", a House of Cards

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One group of "ducks" apparently not content to wait out the storms are members of the so-called, "Duck Dynasty" whose "patriarchal" and controversial leader was recently suspended from the popular A&E show for inflammatory remarks he made about gays and other "sinners" who, according to him, are unwelcomed in God's Kingdom.

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http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/20/showbiz/tv/duck-dynasty-boycott/

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The family has insinuated that unless Phil Robertson is reinstated to the show, they may walk out on their contract.

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Their fans, more than a million of whom have signed on to their Facebook page and organized petitions demanding reinstatement (of Phil Robertson) have similarly threatened station boycott.  

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So much for a corporation's right to hire and fire who they please based upon contractual agreements and adherence to written standards.  

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But, what personally gets me in all this hoopla, is that anyone would be surprised with the rigid, intolerant, extreme and judgmental pronouncements expressed by Robertson, both on YouTube videos and in a recent article in GQ magazine.  

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Did any of us seriously think that those who delight in blowing away animals would suddenly exhibit compassion and empathy towards their fellow humans?  

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"Duck Dynasty" is, in my view, a house of cards that rocketed to fame on the backs of victimized animals and humans who, at least on the surface, appeared to look, speak and act in some kind of appealing, down home manner.

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Perhaps it was refreshing in some ways to see people who aren't attached to their I-phones or laptops and who actually sit down to dinner together.

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But, beneath the ZZ Top, kind of fun, laid back appeal, were attitudes of religious superiority, judgmentalism and hypocrisy based upon personal and rigid interpretations of the bible.

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And that is when personal views and opinions can become dangerous -- especially when used by those in positions of power and influence to incite others to attitudes of intolerance, superiority, judgment and even hostility towards groups of people different in some way from themselves.

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Its particularly dangerous when delivered in folksy, down home manner by those who claim to have been "saved by Jesus" and are supposedly speaking for Him.

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The fact is, no one has a lock on whose getting to the "Kingdom of God" and who is not and no one speaks for Jesus save His own quoted words. -- Among some of the most well known, are "Let him who without sin, cast the first stone."

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It seems a show celebrating the casting of bullets, arrows and verbal stones would be the last place to seek the spirit and soul of Jesus.

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But, then who am I to judge?

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I just know that while others may sit down to follow this so-called, "reality show" every week, I will be enriching my soul with the very alive ducks in the real world.

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I have feeling that long after the "Duck Dynasty" show has finally folded like a flimsy deck of cards, real ducks will still be flying or swimming or "loafing" according to what the weather -- or God may bring. --  PCA

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What the ("Hybrid") Duck and What the ("Migratory/Resident") Goose?

A duckless, gooseless and entirely frozen Harlem Meer this morning.  Nevertheless, "Geese Police" later showed up to harass the non-existent waterfowl.

Migratory Canada goose at Jackie Onassis Reservoir this morning. The one watercourse in all of Central Park the birds can still find any peace and rest.

 Returning from an entirely frozen Harlem Meer this morning, (where even the few mallards struggling to maintain a tiny pool of open water, were forced to give up and abandon ship) I was taken aback to note a "Geese Police" van heading quickly in the direction of the Meer.

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What the hell?

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There were no birds at all to "harass" at Harlem Meer.

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Sight of the goose hazing company this time of year made my blood boil on an otherwise freezing day in which most of Central Park is covered in snow and ice.

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It made me think of the lies told in recent years by officials of Central Park Conservancy and other governmental entities (such as USDA Wildlife Services).

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The particular lie reflected upon today (from the Conservancy) was, "We harass resident Canada geese in the fall in order to make room for migratory geese."

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With the exception of three Canada geese (One pair and a loner hanging with them) at the Boat Lake, virtually ALL of the geese observed in Central Park these days are migratory birds.  (I am speaking mainly of migratory geese from the Arctic, Canada or upstate New York who fortunately fly into the Jackie Onassis Reservoir, the one watercourse in Central Park they are not harassed due to control by the city. -- Or, at least this is what I was told by Geese Police.)

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Even though migratory Canada geese are a supposedly "protected species" under the federal, Migratory Bird Act Treaty, they are afforded no more respect nor peace in all of the Central Park lakes and ponds (under Central Park Conservancy control) than so-called, "resident" geese of which Central Park has very few these days. -- Three to be exact.  

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It is akin to blowing migratory geese out of the skies (as posted in recent hunting articles), while at the same time decrying the drop in their numbers and even blaming that on "resident geese nesting in the sub-arctic and displacing migratorys."  (Another lie, this time by USDA WS.)

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It is one thing to hold a position on an issue and intellectually argue that stance.  It is quite another to just make up lies or spout company memos in order to justify a position on animal cruelty and deliberately mislead the public.

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Matters have degenerated to the point that I barely believe anything told by so-called, "wildlife officials" anymore.

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Least of all, those who wander around city parks admonishing anyone daring to toss a few crumbs to a hungry bird on a freezing day.

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Last week, when Caroline and I were trying to acclimate the four domestics ducks to her by feeding, an employee of NYC Parks and Recreation came to us to admonish the action.

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"You're not supposed to feed wildlife in the park!" the young woman said sternly, while pulling out her identification.

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"These ducks are not wildlife. They are domestic and flightless," I countered. "We are trying to prepare them for rescue.  In a few weeks, this lake will freeze over and these ducks will be doomed."

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"They're hybrids..." the young woman started to answer, but I quickly interrupted and corrected. "Open your eyes.  They cannot fly!"  The conversation was becoming heated when Caroline intervened and attempted to reason with the young upstart mostly by name-dropping.  "Attorney, Wild Bird Fund, Park Rangers," etc.etc.

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"Well, I will have to talk to my supervisor."

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Whatever....

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As said to Caroline later (somewhat apologetically), I no longer have patience with petty bureaucrats either mumbling party lines and/or deliberately lying.  -- Especially when they dish out repeated, tired lines like "hybrids" to refer to barnyard, flightless ducks.

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Thankfully, we were able to rescue the four domestic ducks a few days later -- but not without having to jump through hoops first and beg permission.  (But, why does one have to beg permission at all to simply do the right thing?)

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Its a good thing the fab four are out of Harlem Meer as they would likely be very dead ducks today on a completely frozen and barren lake.

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Especially since Central Park Conservancy insists on harassing every Canada goose out who would normally help to keep some open water at the Meer and other park watercourses (thereby benefiting ducks and other waterfowl.)

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Contrary to the claims, it doesn't matter whether the geese be resident or migratory.

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One suspects park officials and representatives cannot tell the difference in geese anymore than they can apparently tell the difference between a "hybrid" duck and an Easter chic who simply committed the unpardonable sin of growing up and becoming "unwanted."  -- PCA

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No Rest For The Weary Canada Geese

On Ice -- Small flock of Canada geese brace themselves on the ice of Harlem Meer during recent snow storm.

Struggling to maintain tiny pool of open water on otherwise frozen lake.

Whipping snow causes geese and few mallards to hunker down. But, if geese have it rough in New York City during winter, it is nothing compared to upstate New York where bullets puncture the icy blue skies on nearly daily basis.

"Kill 'em!" the hunters yell in the video below while targeting migratory Canada geese in upstate New York.

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http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/hunting/2013/12/hunting-ducks-and-geese-how-run-traffic

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I say, "migratory geese" as those are primarily what is around and traveling through New York these days.

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And if some doubt this claim, the outdoors column below lays proof to it in the hunter's own words as he freely admits to targeting the great migratory birds from the Arctic:

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http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/hunting/turkey-waterfowl/waterfowl-techniques/2013/12/waterfowl-goose-calling-hunting-river

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Why the fuss about "migratory vs resident" Canada geese?

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Because in a conversation with Martin Lowney, the New York State Director for USDA Wildlife Services, two years ago, he claimed that resident Canada geese from the states were "nesting" in the sub Arctic (because of egg addling conducted here) and "displacing" migratory geese, thus bringing down the latter's numbers.

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Apparently, Lowney doesn't read outdoors columns or watch hunter videos. Or, it was just another lie heaped upon all the others in order to dismiss non-lethal population control of resident Canada geese (such as egg addling and Border Collie hazing) in favor of USDA WS conducted slaughters.

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But, whether  being blown away by conniving hunters or rounded up by WS and slaughtered, the fact is Canada geese (regardless of resident or migratory) never have an easy season.

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Speaking of seasons, winter is not yet officially here, but don't tell that to the birds.

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There was reason for all those migratory geese flying into and quickly departing the Jackie Onassis Reservoir for places south over these many weeks.

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Temperatures in New York City have been mostly chilly this December and the other night, we had our first real snow storm.

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It was good thing that we rescued the four domestic ducks at Harlem Meer last week, because the lake was entirely iced over the other night and most of it, covered in snow.

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(Photos of the snow storm in Central Park:

https://www.facebook.com/patty.adjamine/media_set?set=a.10152088781118394.1073741826.811113393&type=1)

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Only a few of the most stubborn and resilient mallards remained to do battle with the ice, as did a small flock of stoic Canada geese.

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But, it seemed fruitless struggle to try and keep a tiny pool of open water in the blowing winds, sub-freezing temperatures and blowing snow.

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It will be interesting to see what the situation is tonight as temperatures have been bouncing around since the storm -- mild and then cold again.

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Its possible there may not be any waterfowl at the Meer tonight -- especially if the birds were unsuccessful in maintaining any open water.

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But, its also possible some of the ice melted yesterday and some ducks and geese may have returned.

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Or, it might just be the same courageous few birds bracing for a challenging winter ahead.

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No rest for the weary Canada geese for whom no season brings any actual peace.  -- PCA

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In the Nick of Time, Smart Ducks Find Rescue and Safe Haven

Connie and Carol (male) enjoying new digs and leaving memories of frozen Harlem Meer in Central Park behind.

We did not get the fab four out of Harlem Meer too soon.

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Last night, the lake was more than 90% iced over, including the area near the Dana Center.  The mallards looked miserable and there were no geese.

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Additionally, an obnoxious woman was trying to prompt her Siberian Husky to charge at mallards resting on ice, pushing his backside at the edge of the lake and chanting, "go!"

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"If your dog falls through the ice, who is going to rescue him?" I queried.

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"Mind your own business," the woman shot back.

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"Look, the birds have it tough enough out here in winter without being deliberately harassed.  Show some respect.  Besides, dogs are not allowed on the lake." 

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Fortunately, the dog did not show any interest in either the ducks or the icy brine. (Siberian Huskies are neither hunting nor water dogs.)  

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Feeling reasonably confident that the reluctant Husky would not charge the ice or the ducks, I walked away.

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The only reason for sharing this incident is to illustrate what the waterfowl and other wildlife of Central and other city parks have to endure.  (Primarily, callous humans as one should not fault dogs for the ignorance of their owners.)

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Eventually exiting away from a frozen Harlem Meer, I breathed, once again, a sigh of relief that Conner, Connie, Carol and Cochise were finally rescued from what is fast becoming (and always has been) a harsh and hostile environment. 

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Rescue of them now would be virtually impossible.

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Mallards stayed either on the ice last night or swam in small groups, trying to maintain some open water.  None came on land, which is apparently colder and harsher on their feet in the bitter cold.  The same would have been true for the domestic ducks.

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But, instead of having to endure the cruelties of humans or winter in Central Park, the fab four have quickly settled in their new home as though they "have lived there all their lives."

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This email report from Caroline today:

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"All is well and everyone seems VERY happy with their new home.  

Everyone is eating, drinking, swimming and quacking up a storm.  The first night no one wanted to go into their night shed, but by the second night, their human mom, came in, said, "Bedtime duckies," and everyone marched right in their shed, settled down in the hay, and went right to bed.  Very very smart ducks!

The plan is to introduce them to the other ducks today.  Their pens are next door, so they've been talking to each other.  Today she will let them see each other, and if there isn't too much snow tomorrow, they'll all go out in the big yard for some supervised time together."

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Well, of course, Conner, Connie, Carol and Cochise are "very, very smart ducks."

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They would not have survived for the past year at Harlem Meer were they not.

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But, now they don't have to be especially smart, scrambling for food or on guard, 24/7. 

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They can just be happy, relaxed and free to be themselves.

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Happy day, despite the newly fallen snow and quick forming ice on all park watercourses. -- PCA

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New Digs and Happy Ending for Fab Four, Domestic Ducks

Part of their new digs. Shelter from the ice and storms.

"No more icy lakes and grounds of freeze!...."

"No more taunting dogs or rowdy teens.  No more discarded fishing lines and icy lake of freeze.  No more "Geese Police" and actions to harass and tease. We are finally home free!"

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So sing the "fab four" domestic ducks from Harlem Meer in Central Park these days.

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Conner, Carol, Connie and the forever cute and rolely, poley Cochise were rescued two days ago and have already gone to their new home where they are finally able to relax in peace for the rest of their days and enjoy shelter from the storms.

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Special thanks and deep appreciation to Caroline who helped, not only in the actual rescue of the fab four, but also in securing permission to rescue from park rangers and officials, as well as in responsible and loving, permanent placement of the domestic ducks.

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Put simply, this could not have been achieved without Caroline.

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The rescue itself went remarkably and surprisingly smoothly -- though not without a hitch. 

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Caroline had been meeting with me several days prior to the rescue in order to gage the situation and plan rescue, as well as acclimate the ducks to her as they already were to me. (This was achieved by Caroline cooing to and hand-feeding the fab four for several days.) 

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The day of the actual rescue however, came with some surprise and unanticipated event.

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Temperatures had plunged to freezing and the ducks sought protection from gusty winds by huddling in marshes to the far east side of the lake -- an area I had never seen them before. 

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Unfortunately, it was far from their usual location -- the grassy, protected area near the Dana Center -- where Caroline had set up a pen to facilitate our hopeful capture of them.

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It thus became my "job" to try and entice the ducks all the way back to where the rescue pen and Caroline was set up for them -- a distance of nearly a football field!

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But, would Conner, Connie, Carol and Cochise follow me -- especially that distance?

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They weren't after all, trained dogs.

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But, they were very hungry ducks.

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And they knew me for more than a year as their feeder.

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Though feeling initially pessimistic that I could lead the ducks all the way back from their semi-warm spot, spirits lifted when they immediately squawked and became excited when seeing me.

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"No, no, not here!" I said, waving my arms in the direction towards the Dana Center. 

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"Come! Come!  This way!"

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Sure enough, the ducks began to follow, swimming in a straight line towards the rescue area!

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But, the journey had twists and turns.

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At one point in the twists and turns, the fab four embarked on land and started following me along a pedestrian path!

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Though feeling like the Pied Piper, this was no good as people were walking dogs along the path!

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"No, no,not here...back in the water!" I said, steering them back to the lake. 

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Thankfully, they got the message and returned to water.

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"Come, come!  This way!"

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This venture went on for a good 15 minutes or so, but finally I and my (apparently) "trained" ducks made our way to where Caroline was patiently waiting with a big bowl of duck pellets and a steel pen with open top.

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Already acclimated in the prior few days to eating from a bowl, the hungry four made their way to the food and started scooping up.   Some mallards joined them in grabbing loose tidbits from the ground.

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Caroline quickly went inside the pen and closed it off.   The mallards immediately flew out.

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But being flightless, the domestic four were thus "trapped" and enclosed.

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Once handing a fairly large dog carrier to Caroline over the pen, it seemed mere seconds before she had all four ducks safely secured in the carrier.

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(Caroline is in fact, an expert on domestic duck rescue, having done more than a thousand over the years. She made what was actually a tough job look like a piece of cake.)

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Two onlookers visiting from England, offered to help Caroline and I move the carrier filled with four heavy ducks back to Caroline's car which was parked a block away outside of the park.

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"You will have quite a story to tell when you get back to the UK -- how you helped to save four ducks in America!" I laughed to the young couple.

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No worse the wear for their "ordeal," Conner, Carol, Connie and Cochise chatted and happily squawked in the back seat of the car, though they did not struggle nor make any attempt at escape.

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Normally, I am no expert in duck language, but I am quite sure, in this case, they were saying:

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"No more taunting dogs or rowdy teens!  No more discarded fishing lines and icy lake of freeze.  No more "Geese Police" and actions to harass and tease. We are finally on our way home free!"

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By the next morning, the fab four were enjoying grassy, fenced-in lawn, water, hay, the company of others just like them, safe shelter and a devoted, human family.

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I already miss my "fab four," but in the end, one must do what is right for the animals, rather than what just gratifies the ego.

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Conner, Connie, Carol and Cochise will learn to love others as they have appreciated and responded to me over the past year. I was just the helping hand along the way until they could find real peace and ultimate, safe sanctuary.

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I am greatly relieved (and forever grateful and indebted to Caroline) that these four domestic ducks will not meet the same grim fate of too many domestics before them and probably too many after them.

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For some animals dumped in public parks, there can be eventual happy ending.  

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Our job is to increase those odds in their favor and help create more such happy endings.  

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For more on the general topic, please see the related articles and videos below:  -- PCA 

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http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1172276-video-geese-on-the-move-to-winter-home

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http://www.hannibal.net/article/20131212/NEWS/131219597/1001/NEWS

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 http://www.wkrg.com/story/24187313/loxley-homeowners-association-kills-geese

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http://www.ksla.com/story/24208718/fishing-line-blamed-for-footless-birds-at-duck-pond?fb_action_ids=10152084878018394&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_ref=.Uqs_y-SVoMM.like&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

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Tip of the Iceberg -- Snowy Owls

Canada goose -- what lies beneath and aside the iceberg.

No one is quite sure of the reason why more Snowy Owls have been making their way to the North East in recent weeks.

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Some speculate that the impacts of climate change and habitat loss are affecting the birds' normal food supply (lemmings) in the Arctic, thereby compelling more of them to fly south in winter in search of food.

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But, whatever the precise reason for more Snowy Owls in our region,  birders have been excited to spot the beautiful and rare birds in various locations in New York and New Jersey. There have been numerous sightings, postings, photos and articles about them.  

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/NYBirders/

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But, entities neither excited nor enthused about the emergence of Snowy Owls were JFK airport, the DEC and the Port Authority.

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Orders to "shoot to kill" three Snowy Owls this past weekend were carried out.

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Normally, bird killings around airports go unreported, but in this case, someone informed The Daily News which then ran front page coverage of the story.

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Other media picked up, as did the social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.  The birding and Animal Rights communities immediately set up Change.org petitions which in less than 24 hours garnered more than 7,000 signatures.

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In the face of so much media and public outrage, The Port Authority and DEC had little choice but to immediately rescind the decision to kill the owls in favor of trap and relocation.

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The story was widely reported, including on yesterday's Today Show:

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http://www.today.com/video/today/53788217#53788217

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But, of course the killing of the Snowy Owls was the mere tip of the iceberg (or, in this case, the straw that broke the shooter's back).

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The only media person to fully report all the facts was Jane Velez-Mitchell in her interview with Edita Birnkrant of Friends of Animals last night.

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http://www.hlntv.com/video/2013/12/10/protecting-our-animals

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We, who have been fighting for the protection of geese and other birds -- many thousands of whom have been ruthlessly shot, gassed or slaughtered for the past several years in the name of so-called, "airline safety"  -- were not at all surprised with the latest carnage.

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Nor were we surprised with most of the media's continued showing or mention of "The Miracle on the Hudson" incident (the geese will never be allowed to live that one down) or repeatedly misstating that it is the "birds who collide with planes."  (It is actually the planes that fly into the birds.)

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We should of course be grateful that the media reported this story at all. And we should be grateful that Snowy Owls were featured in the Harry Potter movies, thereby upping their general appeal and value to a mass audience.

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But, the fact that Canada geese (and other birds) are still portrayed as the flying  "menaces" that brought Caption Sully's plane down and continue to "collide" with other planes in Kamikaze, suicidal ventures, spells an overall, grim outlook that anything for them will change.

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Yes, let's be happy for the fact that quick media exposure and public outrage ultimately changed the fate for Snowy Owls venturing near airports in NY.

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But, dare any of us to look beyond the mere tip of the iceberg to what lies beneath?

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The value of a Canada goose, swan, cormorant, starling or red-winged blackbird is no less than that of a Snowy Owl.

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Our value, appreciation and willingness to stand up for wildlife should not be dependent upon beauty contests or popular movies. -- PCA

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On Cue, The Geese Arrive to Greet! (The Geesies Never Forget)

On cue, the geese arrive and come to greet!

A lead gander of the troupe.

Children stop to wave "hello!"

A beautiful goose girl poses for photo.

And another handsome gander in warm greeting.

Since the death of Cago more than two months ago from Harlem Meer, there has been nary a goose there.

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Those few geese who have ventured in from time to time have vanished almost as soon as arrival.

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It is not known if the quick departures were due to harassment actions of Geese Police or if the geese were migratory and simply used the Meer as brief resting point on their long journeys south.

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If the transitory geese were migratory, then it was highly unusual for them to stop at Harlem Meer as the Jackie Onassis Reservoir seems to be the designated stop and rest point in Central Park for easily more than 1,000 geese who have come and gone from there over the past two months.

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Its been an exciting experience watching flocks of migratory Canada geese take off from the Reservoir nearly every night (usually an hour after sunset) like planes taking off from a runway.

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Their organization, their precision, their excited, celebratory "honks" when finally taking off and their quick formation of the perfect "V's when airborne are truly magnificent. 

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But, its a sight that's been missing from Harlem Meer.

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It seems that migratory Canada geese -- like airliners -- have very precise and designated flight paths.

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Over the two months of observing them, I saw very little variation of goose flight paths out of Central Park, though there was much variation in flock size with some containing as few as 5 or 6 geese and some as many as 25 to 30.  (The usual number of a flying skein was around 15.)

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But, imagine the surprise last night when going to Central Park and seeing no migratory geese at all at the Reservoir, but suddenly encountering new arrivals at Harlem Meer!

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THE GEESE ARE HERE!!!!!  (Eleven of them!)

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These were not, however, migratory geese, but old friends who obviously remembered me. 

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They sauntered right up in cheerful and confident greeting.  

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Everyone was excited to see the geese.   Young kids coming from the nearby ice skating rink stopped to wave at and greet the geese.   Young people took photos with cell phones.

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But, no one was more excited to see old familiar goose friends than I.

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Almost on cue they had arrived -- as they have done in past years.

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"My geesies" never forget.

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You see, today is my birthday. :)  -- PCA

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