Star of Wonder, Star of Night -- A Memorable Christmas

It was both, one of the worst Christmases and one of the best.

Once again, I was going to be spending a New York City, Christmas alone.  My daughter who lived in Buffalo in 2011 could not make it to the city due to work obligations and commitment to her husband's family who also lived in Buffalo.  My best friend had suddenly and recently passed away, other friends were with family and I was trying to "power through" unsettling and unpredictable episodes of vertigo.
True, I had my two dogs, Tina and Chance, and five cats to keep me company. But it's not exactly the same as family and friends on the most family-oriented holiday of the year. 

 But I had other friends, too: 

 The ducks and Canada geese of Central Park! 

One of my favorite things to do was walk to Harlem Meer each night with my dogs and bring treats to the waterfowl.  But since the summer geese had departed three months before with their babies, I hadn't seen many geese in a long time.

 I missed them desperately.

The walk to Harlem Meer on Christmas Eve of 2011 with my dogs was quiet, peaceful, but lonely. There were few people around and though the skies were clear and star lit, the air was bitter cold and punishing. 

Trying to feel "in the Christmas spirit" I listed to Christmas songs over my radio headphones.  But Mariah Carey's pop version of "Joy to the World" as well as other, overly cheerful pop Christmas faire served only to plunge the mood further south.  

"My God, she murdered an otherwise beautiful song!" I cynically thought to myself.

 After a mile and half walk, I finally began to approach Harlem Meer with the only thought to quickly feed the hungry mallards and get out.  Everything about this particular walk on Christmas Eve night seemed unwelcoming. From the cutting winds barreling through me to Bruce Springsteen seemingly screaming on the radio, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." 

 Why did I even come here tonight of all nights? I wondered.

But as I started to descend the hill leading to Harlem Meer, I could suddenly hear the faint sound of honking in the far distance. 

Could it be? I wondered. Am I imagining things?

And just at that moment, the music changed on the radio to a beautiful instrumental version of the Cristmas carol, "We Three Kings of Orient Are." 

 "Star of wonder, star of night. 
 Star of royal beauty bright
 Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light." 

 And with that, the joyous, excited honking from the skies suddenly became deafening as wave after wave of migratory geese from Canada began descending and landing gracefully upon the water. 

Stopped in my tracks to watch the wonder before me, tears welled and freely ran down my face.  But I didn't care as there was no one around to see -- just the excited mallards scurrying up to me for food and the weary geese settling in after an exhausting journey of thousands of miles. 

 These were the geese who came to New York City each year to winter. They had to organize, cooperate and endure seemingly endless miles of treacherous journey and often brutal weather conditions. They would be here until March. 

 But how "serendipity" was it that they chose this special Christmas Eve night to arrive to their destination? How seemingly miraculous was it that they flew through the night star lit skies and landed at the precise time of the "We Three Kings" carol?

 "Star of wonder, star of light
Star of royal beauty bright
 Westward leading, still proceeding
 Guide us to thy perfect light" 

Even my two senior, small dogs were suddenly excited and voiced welcoming barks to the arriving geese!

 I suddenly felt particularly blessed that wondrous Christmas night.  All was peaceful, all was harmony and bliss.  All was blessed.

 I don't remember how long I stayed at the Meer trying to extend the magic and beauty. I don't remember the other songs and carols that played. At that point all was beautiful and serene; a kind of heaven on earth.

 "Welcome, my beautiful geese. I have awaited you so long. You are truly God's creations!"

 Walking home that special Christmas Eve night, I neither felt the cold nor wind, nor scoffed at silly pop Christmas songs over the headphones. 

 Finally, exiting the park and walking through Manhattan streets, I came across a large crowd of people entering St. Thomas Moore's Catholic church for Midnight Mass services.   But I had already had my spiritual (and very personal) Christmas service and my heart and soul were filled to the whole of my being. 

 Little did I know then that "We Three Kings" would become my favorite Christmas carol and forever remind me of that special night. Nor that the geese would become for me, the special spirit animals that God wanted me to fight for, write about and protect. 

                                                     -------------

Bucolic Paradise or Stepford Park?

I recall in the 1970's reading, "The Stepford Wives" by Ira Levin which was since made into two movies, neither of which lived up to the book. 

The basic premise of the book was the seeking of "perfection" at the cost of flawed humanity. 

A young photographer and housewife is forced to question her sanity when moving into a "ideallic" Connecticut suburb where all the "happy housewives" act like robots under the control and manipulation of their husbands. All the homes, lawns and wives are seemingly "perfect" and yet something is horribly amiss. 

I was reminded of this book while watching the video below recently posted on the Central Park Facebook page. 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156975658244482&id=37965424481

The nearly ten-minute video highlights Harlem Meer and all the big "renovation" plans for it to transform into a "bucolic" center for all manner of "recreational activities" from ice skating to swimming to boating to fishing. Although there is already an ice skating rink at the Meer, plans include turning the lake into further ice skating vehicle during the winter. 

The smiles and wild exuberance of both, the interviewer and interviewee lead the video watcher to conclude that the newly renovated Harlem Meer will be nothing short of paradise itself.  All we need are some angels to float down from the skies. 

But for sure, birds won't be welcomed to float down from the skies -- especially waterbirds. 

Despite numerous pans of Harlem Meer during the video, one is hard pressed to find even one goose, duck or any bird on the entire lake. 

This represents drastic and dramatic change from only a few years ago when there would typically be up to 100 ducks and several dozen geese this time of year. 

What happened to them all in this "bucolic" and sanitized paradise? 

Yes, it is all so "perfect." And everyone is so "happy." 

And that is exactly why I was reminded of an old book when watching the video and why I suggested in comment that Central Park change its name to "Stepford Park." 

But of course it is me who is the crazy one, isn't it? 

Sent from Samsung tablet

"Central Park Wants No Geese At All."

"Central Park wants no geese at all."

Such was part of a conversation yesterday with Joe, an employee of "Geese Chasers" who is tasked with the job of harassing Canada geese out of Central Park.  It does not matter if the geese are migratory or resident. All are unwelcomed in Central Park. 

To the company's credit, they at least return phone calls and are willing to discuss harassment practices. --  Unlike the Central Park Conservancy. 

Since park observer and wildlife advocate, Laura Taylor, photographed the Geese Chasers' vehicle patrolling Central Park more than a month ago, we have repeatedly tried to get the Conservancy to confirm and discuss harassment of migratory birds in Central Park. 

But both, phone calls and letters have been met with assurances "someone will get back to you" but no one ever does.  Phone messages are not returned and emails unresponded to. 

At least six people I know have experienced the Conservancy blowing off all questions and attempts to discuss continued harassment of geese in Central Park, as well as egg destruction and even destruction of food sources as occurred at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir this past summer in attempt to starve seven goslings that hatched. 

We have, of course long suspected that it was the goal of not just Central Park, but New York City itself to "eliminate" all geese.  It was not just a matter of "population control" (as is often claimed), but rather, extirpation. But now, finally, we had verbal confirmation of what was already known. 

Annual mass killings of New York City geese by USDA "Wildlife Services," in addition to egg destruction in all city parks, in addition to relentless harassment -- even on migratory birds guarantees that "resident" Canada geese should be entirely eliminated in NYC within a few more years.  We are 90% already there. 

Companies like Geese Chasers, (though apparently good about returning phone messages) are also in the business of vilifying geese as much as possible in order to ensure growing business contracts.  According to Geese Chasers, the geese "don't migrate anymore" (not true) and they destroy parks (also not true).  

But Geese Chasers ought be careful about fear-mongering and demonizing geese too much as extermination campaigns are ultimately bad for business. 

Apart from learning that Central Park wants all geese gone, other things of interest came out of the conversation with Joe yesterday: 

When asking him why mallard populations have plummeted in Central Park if he is "only harassing geese," Joe speculated that mallards left due to "Salmonella outbreak" that killed turtles at Turtle Pond.  

But mallards have disappeared throughout Central Park and not just at Turtle Pond. And a sick Turtle was recently observed at the Pool in Central Park. 

Nearly two years ago, a claimed Distemper outbreak apparently killed all but a few raccoons in 843 acre Central Park. 

Are new diseases killing off remaining wildlife?  Or, is something more nefarious occurring? 

Joe vehemently denied that Geese Chasers uses drones to harass the geese as reported by an eyewitness. 

"Oh," he laughed, "I wish I could use drones to film our work, but the dog is very fearful of them." 

How does Joe know the dog is fearful of drones if he never used them?  This struck me as "thou protests too much." 

The conversation with the gentleman from Geese Chasers soon deteriorated from there. I told Joe of my friend, Liliana, who is 76-years-old and whose only joy in life was enjoying the geese and ducks at the Boat Lake in Central Park.  

"She is so depressed now because she goes to the park and there is nothing." 

"Some people get upset, but it has to be done," Joe said dismissively. 

"Wildlife-empy parks hurt people as well as geese!" I retorted. 

But the truth is, our argument is not with Geese Chasers as much as it is with Central Park. 

It is the decision of Central Park Conservancy to not just "harass" a few resident geese for population management, but to extirpate ALL remaining resident geese in Central Park (which is less than 40) as well as to terrorize and disrupt hundreds of migratory geese and ducks who briefly rest or winter at Central Park this time of year. 

That all of this wildlife intolerance is supposedly acceptable to New Yorkers does not speak well for our professed "concerns" for vanishing bird populations and animal extinctions throughout the world. 

All extinctions begin locally and somewhere. 

                                        --------------- 

The Sad and Sordid History of Bird Harassment in Central Park

In the fall of 2009, I complained to the Central Park Conservancy about Canada geese being harassed at Harlem Meer by a company called, "Geese Relief." 

I was told, "We are harassing the resident geese to make room for the migratory geese."

(This explanation made little sense as most of the migratory geese either briefly rested at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir or wintered at Reservoir from December through March. Geese at Harlem Meer had nothing to do with them.)

At least the Conservancy acknowledged the harassment. To its credit also, the Conservancy appeared to realize the importance of protecting migratory bird species as mandated by the federal Migratory Bird Act Treaty.

These days, when questioned about harassment, Conservancy employees repeatedly deny that any harassment is being conducted. Either the Conservancy is engaging in activities that it fails to inform employees of, or the employees are told to lie to the public. Neither speaks well of an organization seeking support and trust of the public.

I have recently been informed by a Central Park vendor that a new goose harassment company, "Geese Chasers," has been using dogs for months to harass water birds from Central Park lakes and ponds at night.  (See photo of vehicle.) Another eyewitness reported seeing Geese Chasers use DRONES to "attack" geese on the water early one morning.

This helps explain why duck numbers have plummeted throughout Central Park over the past year.  When questioned why ducks were disappearing in Central Park, employees have consistently misinformed the public by claiming the "ducks just fly away."  Ducks that had been at the park for years didn't just up and "fly away." They were harassed and terrorized into leaving; their habitat cruelly banished and denied to them.

It must be noted that it is nearly impossible to harass one species of bird without terrifying and chasing out others.  I personally witnessed "Geese Relief" hurling a heavy object attached to a rope on ice one night at Harlem Meer many years ago to scare away geese.  EVERY bird that was on the ice and in water panicked and took off vertically for the skies.  These included Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Coots, Swans and some smaller ducks. 

There was not one bird left on the lake and many of these had been migratory, as it was December.

The following day I complained to the Conservancy and Geese Relief was immediately fired as they did not have permission to use anything but dogs for harassment.

The following spring Geese Police was hired and utilized up until the last year or two.

I don't know what happened with Geese Police, but the new company seems to be using methods (drones?) that are terrorizing far more than geese from Central Park. Even birds who had been at CP for years are now gone.

Since there are few resident geese (or ducks) left on CP lakes and ponds to harass, the question becomes, "What is the purpose of goose harassment this time of year?"

To harass MIGRATORY birds? -- The very birds the Conservancy claimed ten years ago to be trying to "make room for"?

On this note, it is vital to find out if harassment is being conducted at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir as that is where most of the migratory birds briefly rest or winter. But it is difficult to get honest answer from an organization that admits to no harassment at all.  This history of recent lies by the Conservancy is extremely unbecoming to an organization relying on public support.

In recent months we have learned that 30% of the world's bird populations have disappeared over the past 50 years.  Loss of habitat and heavy pesticide use are the leading causes of animal and bird extinctions. 

Please don't tell us there are "plenty" or "too many" Canada geese. We used to have hundreds of millions of Passenger pigeons. (There are 3.8 million Canada geese.) Any species is vulnerable to extinction when humans declare "war" on them and banish them from natural habitats.

The Central Park Conservancy of a few years ago did not conduct goose harassment during the winter and it did not knowingly harass migratory birds.

Why is it doing these things now and why is it repeatedly lying to the public (and employees?) about these unsavory and cruel activities?

The public deserves honest answers as the truth eventually reveals itself anyway. The persistent denials and lies are insult to intelligence and unbefitting an organization of international reputation. 

 Indeed, the denials and lies are also the real reasons why a million species now face extinction. We need not look to the far corners of the globe for answers. We need only look at -- and question the actions of our own local parks.


Such senseless and unpardonable tragedy.






















Sent from Samsung tablet

Sent from Samsung tablet

The Miracle Seven -- Despite Impossibe Odds, Reservoir Goslings Healthy and Flying

           

                 One of the Miracle Seven now at Harlem Meer. (Laura Taylor) 

It may seem overly dramatic to refer to seven juvenile geese as, "The Miracle Seven," but it isn't. 

For one matter, it is a small miracle that the goslings hatched at all at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park.  New York City is in contract with USDA Wildlife Services for Canada goose egg destruction throughout all five boroughs. 

Two other nests with goose eggs were destroyed in Central Park this past spring.  The only reason the eggs at the Reservoir were unharmed was because agents from WS were "not able to gain access" to the Reservoir rocks in order destroy the eggs there. -- This from a USDA WS report. (DEP staff must have been out to lunch the day WS showed up to egg-kill.) 

Of the ten goslings who ultimately hatched at the Reservoir in May, three perished within the first few weeks. The deaths were likely due to malnutrition as vegetation is routinely destroyed along the Reservoir rocks, leaving scant foliage and grass for wildlife to eat there. 

Then, in July, with goslings barely two-months-old, the vegetation was again demolished, leaving nothing but a patch of Poison Ivy -- something inedible for growing goslings and molting geese, unable to fly. 

The goslings were doomed and their adult, flightless parents were also in danger of starvation. 

Park Rangers and the Central Park Conservancy consistently lied to concerned citizens calling about the deplorable cruelty, claiming that frail, flightless goslings were able to "go over fences" to eat grass on the outside of the Reservoir wall. The severely undersized and skinny goslings were barely able to navigate the rocks, let alone fly over walls and fences at only 7-weeks of age!

Fortunately, those familiar with gosling capabilities (as well as the long history of lies from the Central Park Conservancy and some Park Rangers) didn't buy into the outrageous fabrication and formed teams of organized and reliable feeders to ensure the seven remaining goslings did not starve to death -- as 8 of 9 did the previous summer. 

With some people feeding twice a day and naturalist, Laura Taylor regularly feeding and documenting with photos and videos, the frail, under-sized goslings suddenly began to grow and thrive. 

It took nearly a month, but they finally filled out, developed flight feathers and began to look normal for their age. 

We are happy to finally report that all three families were able to fly out from the Reservoir over the past two weeks (on schedule!) and are currently feeding and expanding flight lessons for goslings at Harlem Meer in Central Park! 

It appears that some mallards have joined the geese at the Meer -- something nice to see considering how water bird-empty the Meer has been for the past several months (and most Central Park lakes and ponds still are). 

But before we break out any champagne bottles, let us consider the cruel actions of all New York City parks towards struggling wildlife and particularly against Canada geese.  Deliberate starvation campaigns are especially despicable and unpardonable. 

Already Central Park Conservancy has put up new "No Feeding" signs near the site geese and ducks are currently staying at the Meer and it's almost a given that they will soon send out dogs and drones to "harass" the few dozen water birds from the lake.  

No action is too low for them.  One park goer has even reported the Conservancy spraying and killing a hive of bees at the Ramble this past week. 

The war on wildlife is in full swing at all NYC parks. 

That is precisely why it is no exaggeration or dramatics to refer to the surviving Central Park goslings as the "Miracle Seven." 

They survived the impossible odds of New York City's perpetual war on them (but not without the heroic efforts of people like Laura Taylor and others). 

Indeed, the seven goslings are likely the ONLY goslings to hatch and survive in all of New York City this summer. 

That is not something to celebrate as much as mourn. 

Sent from Samsung tablet

Urban Parks: Entertainment Centers or Nature Retreats?

A few weeks ago, I had opportunity to briefly revisit New York City (with my daughter and son-in-law) after having moved upstate a year and a half ago.   The goal was to revisit certain places that still held nostalgic meaning to me -- especially, Central Park.

While the car trips to and back were scenic and lovely and visits to old neighborhood places were warm and unchanged, I can't say the same for Central Park where the obvious changes were as far from warm and tender as bone-chilling blizzard is from a spring day.

In short, the trip back to New York City essentially destroyed any and all sense of nostalgia I may have held.  It was, in a word, depressing -- especially the visit to Central Park.

My daughter and I were taken aback and shocked when venturing into Harlem Meer.

Beautiful memories of a lake once thriving with mallards, geese and even a couple of swans was replaced with the stark and harsh reality of a completely waterbird-empty lake. Despite my daughter and I walking around the entire lake, we were only able to find (and count) eight mallards and one lonely Canada goose -- all resting quietly under a tree near the Dana Center.

We suspect the one (human friendly) goose is "Squally" who had to be rescued from the Meer last winter when she was suffering from emaciation and lead.  Apparently, after recovery at the Wild Bird Fund, Squally was released back to an empty lake with no other geese.

From Harlem Meer, my daughter and I went to the Central Park Reservoir where we fed the seven surviving goslings and their families.  The only reason these goslings are still alive after their food sources were deliberately destroyed at the Reservoir in early July, is the commitment and organized effort of a number of people to feed them on a daily basis.

Though their growth rate was slow compared to goslings of similar age in other locations, the Central Park goslings appear to finally be doing better now as new vegetation is growing.

As there were no other goslings in Central Park this year or last, it was particularly important to save these seven as they represent the possible future for any Central Park resident geese at all.  The babies are by no means "out of the woods" yet, but the future appears a bit more hopeful for the Reservoir seven than it did a few weeks ago.

But if we can feel a glimmer of hope for the few remaining geese in Central Park, it has otherwise been a brutal, terrible summer for Canada Geese across the country.

2,200 geese were rounded up from Denver, Colorado parks and sent for gassing.  Similar killings occurred in New Jersey, New York City, Alabama, Delaware and other locations around the nation.

Though the dreaded molt season has finally ended and geese are in the air again, there is truly no urban place in the country geese can be considered "safe" and not in the crosshairs of human wrath.

The first time when leaving New York City, there was an unspoken wish of wanting to return to it one day. But this time when leaving, there was no such wish; on the contrary, I could not wait to get back to Cortland where "my" park geese are neither harassed nor "culled" nor their eggs destroyed.

But then, my local park isn't striving to be an outdoor version of Madison Square Garden -- as too many urban parks appear to be doing these days.

Rather than places of "peaceful retreat to connect reflectively with nature," more and more urban parks are transforming themselves into places of endless human activities, as well as entertainment and sports venues.

But such is incompatible with nature and especially any urban wildlife and birds.

Present and future generations will have to decide if they want urban parks to be places of "peaceful retreat to connect with nature" (which was the original intent and purpose of Central Park) or tourist attractions and entertainment venues complete with amusement rides, fireworks, concerts, movies, sporting competitions and shows.

You can't have both.

The battle for nature and wildlife is virtually lost in New York City Parks where even sight of common mallards can now be counted on one hand.

The question is, has the New York City "model" now spread to urban parks around the country?

Judging from this summer's goose kill numbers in nationwide  urban parks, that appears to be so.

Out with nature and wildlife. In with the concerts, movies, weekly marathons, and fireworks.

No better way to "connect with nature" than to wage war on it apparently.

And yet so few seem to realize or even notice.

Central Park Reservoir Goslings in Trouble (Deja-Vu)?

It's one year since 8 of 9 Reservoir goslings in Central Park mysteriously perished -- one month after they hatched.

As of last week, there were once again 9 goslings at the Reservoir and once again they were nearing the one month mark.

As of yesterday, there are only 8 goslings. 

Too much this year seems ominous repeat of last year.

Up until almost a month ago, the landscape surrounding the Reservoir was almost entirely devoid of foliage and vegetation.
And while some plants have been allowed to grow back, the question remains, is it too little, too late?

Reality is, that the Central Park goslings are unusually small and scrawny for their age -- especially compared to goslings in Cortland, NY (where I currently live) who are only a couple of weeks older, but far bigger and more developed.

At least one set of Reservoir goose parents (John and Mary) are highly experienced in successfully raising young and yet they have already lost two of their four goslings.

The other two sets of newer parents (each with three goslings) appear to be struggling to hang on with their babies.

It doesn't look good for any of them. Failure to thrive is an almost sure predictor of early death.

I don't know how many people read this blog or how many might live near the Central Park Reservoir.

This blog post is a plea to any close to Central Park to please bring supplemental food to the remaining goslings!  This could be in the forms of cracked corn, duck pellets, dry cat food, peanuts, peas or whole wheat bread or crackers.  --- Anything to prevent them from fading away and dying.

If you can only get to the park once a week or so, consider spreading extra food along the rocks for the goose families to eat later.

As of yesterday, the families were reported to be together at the North East side of the Reservoir.  Hopefully, they stay together for easier feeding and greater protection.

Considering all the anti-feeding propaganda in New York City, as well as the new park "rule" about to be implemented this summer, it behooves one to make this kind of plea.

But it really does appear at this point, to be a matter of life and death, or, in other words, a very sad deja-vu.


                                               .................

"You Can't Always Get What You Want....."

"But if you try sometimes, you find, you get what you need."

 More than once in life I have known the lyrics of an old Rolling Stones tune to play out in real life.

Many of us worked hard to try and defeat the proposed Wildlife Feeding Ban in New York City Parks.

But barring some last minute miracle, it is being adopted anyway.

This is certainly disappointing news. Not only is the new "rule" completely unnecessary, but if aggressively enforced, it will punish the few kind-hearted people feeding hungry birds and squirrels in parks for acts of mercy.

It's easy during times like this to think one's efforts in what seems, a "losing cause" have been wasted; our words went unheard, our pleas for compassion, ignored.

We were invisible.

But sometimes we have to look beyond the obvious to see the whole picture as things are not always as they seem.

Yesterday, the Central Park Facebook page put up a video:

https://www.facebook.com/37965424481/posts/10156541872004482/

It show workers attached to harnesses cleaning up some of the debris tossed onto the Jackie Onassis Reservoir.

The video appears to have recently been filmed in early April as there are Cherry Blossoms on trees.

This is shortly after the time a number of us posted photos of some of the garbage floating in Reservoir water, as well as a barren landscape in which all of the foliage had been chopped down and removed.

Roxanne Delgado of the Bronx Animal Rights Electors had made it a point to highlight the Reservoir as example of destroying natural  food sources for park wildlife, while at the same time failing to clean up garbage.

It seems some people in the NYC Parks Department and Central Park Conservancy finally listened.

But even more important than cleaning up garbage alone, was allowing the vegetation and greenery to grow again.

And over the past six or seven weeks that finally appears to be happening again.

The vegetation and foliage is a critical food source for growing goslings and other park wildlife and waterfowl.

Over the past month, 10 goslings hatched at the Reservoir.

To this point, only one has perished.

It's too early to say whether the remaining 9 goslings will survive long enough to fly out of the Reservoir with their parents in August.
But matters appear far more promising than last year when 8 of 9 Reservoir goslings perished, most likely due to malnutrition.

At least this year, there is growing and robust plant life at the Reservoir, prompting one of the Central Park workers to remark, "We are busy keeping everything nice and green."

 So, on the surface, it appears we lost the battle to protect city park wildlife and the people who feed birds and squirrels.

But while partially true and disappointing, the larger battle might have actually been won -- that of protecting and even providing natural food sources for the wildlife of NYC parks.

As for the question of people supporting hungry wildlife during harsh winters when snow covers the ground and watercourses are iced over, we have to hope that no sane Ranger or cop is going to ticket or haul off to jail, some elderly or disabled person or child tossing bread to a hungry duck or squirrel.

Were that to occur, it would make a tantalizing front page story for the New York Post or Daily News and certainly reflect badly on the Mayor of NYC as well as the city itself.

I said from the beginning that the proposed rule banning wildlife feeding was a "solution seeking a problem."

 Any photos showing "arrest" of a senior citizen or tourist for wildlife feeding would indeed be a problem that a city already beset by real crimes would not need.

But that is the choice the city of New York has made.  It will now have to live with that decision -- and any consequences from it.

As for those of us who fought against the proposed ban, no, we did not get what we wanted.

But we hopefully got what was needed for NYC park wildlife to still survive and hopefully thrive.

Only time will tell for sure.

But for sure, it is never wasted time to fight for what is right -- even if not realizing the fruits of those labors at the time.


                                           .......................

Summer Rerun?

Last summer was rough for the wildlife of Central Park.

More than 300 Central Park raccoons sickened and died.

Eight of the nine goslings at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir weakend and perished before a month old.  (These had been the only goslings allowed to hatch in all of Central Park last year; thus only one survived in an 843 acre park.)

Both, mallard and goose numbers were down in Central Park during the summer molt, though the reasons for that are not clear.

We are not yet into the summer of 2019.

But so far, signs are that it will mostly be repeat of 2018 and possibly worse.

Once again, the only goslings allowed to hatch are seven at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir. (Other geese nested, but no other hatchlings.)  Already, at least one of the goslings has perished over the past week.

And while reports and photos are scattered, they sadly seem to suggest surviving goslings are slow in growth -- or at least compared to goslings in other areas.

Goslings in Cortland, NY (where I live) hatched a week earlier than Central Park goslings, but they are nearly twice their size.
Part of me wants to think that maybe geese in upstate NY are bigger and more robust as we have much harsher winters than NYC, but that is probably denial.

I am concerned for the goslings at the Reservoir -- but desperately hoping I am wrong.  Perhaps I am just needlessly worrying due to past negative history in Central Park.

Certainly, all NYC parks are hostile to Canada geese.
And sadly the hostility is no longer limited to geese alone.

Although the city has made no official announcement yet, the Wildlife Feeding Ban appears to be a done deal.

The Parks Department pushed it and the Mayor supports it.

Bronx Animal Rights Electors is planning another rally in a couple of weeks at City Hall, but unless Roxanne can attract a substantial crowd of protesters to the ban or there is serious media coverage, the ban will go into effect this summer.

So, in addition to the removal of many natural food sources (nut, seed and fruit-bearing trees; vegetation), disbursement of pesticides and employment of wildlife harassment services such as "Geese Police," supplemental food sources as represented by human feeders will also be "removed" through banning and criminalization.

It's hard to imagine a summer much worse for NYC park wildlife than what was last summer.

But this upcoming summer might be it.

Two weeks ago, I asked if most New Yorkers really want wildlife-empty parks?

I don't know that New Yorkers actually "want" parks with little to no wildlife.

But nor do they seem to object.

Perhaps the only thing necessary for misfortune to prosper is good people doing nothing.


                           .......................................

Do New Yorkers Want Wildlife-Empty Parks?

Do New Yorkers want wildlife-empty parks?

Apparently, they do. Either that, or most didn't know about or understand the long-term implications and goals of the proposed Wildlife Feeding Ban that the Mayor has signed in recent days.

Roxanne Delgado of the Bronx Electors for Animal Rights met with park officials last week.  Ms. Delgado had worked hard to  document a case of why the feeding ban should be rejected, but the minds she was speaking to were already closed.  There was no discussion or question. It was a meeting only to show there was a meeting; a mere formality. Just like the formalities of public comments and hearing.

But in the end, it didn't matter what the people had to say as there simply weren't enough of them.

It didn't matter, any of the research, documentations or photos of suffering, disappearing and dying park wildlife.  It didn't even matter, the recent report from the UN, stating that one million plant and animal species now face extinction.

What mattered was how to turn city parks into mere extention of the city itself, complete with outdoor gyms, concerts, food fests, marathons, movies and fireworks. (Indeed, the only things missing are roller coasters, but perhaps they are in the works.)

What mattered was how to further "discourage" or force out any wildlife still remaining in city parks.  First, remove natural food sources. Secondly, heavy use of pesticides and insecticides. Thirdly, criminalize alternate food sources as represented by human support of wildlife.

This past Saturday, Ms. Delgado received a call from the Mayor's office, informing her that Mayor deBlasio had just signed off on the feeding ban.  All that remains now is its actual adoption and implementation.

https://www.facebook.com/326231281077113/posts/825119967854906/

When Ms. Delgado asked how park wildlife will survive now that most natural food sources have been removed and alternate food sources banned, she was told, "The wildlife will find other places for food and nesting."

 This reaffirms what an Audubon (and ban supporter) representative  told Ms. Delgado when asked the same question more than a month ago:

 "The wildlife can go to Long Island to find food."

 Apparently, birds, squirrels, raccoons, and waterfowl are not welcomed anywhere in NYC.

Does that mean New Yorkers will have to buy tickets for the Long Island Rail Road or Amtrak if they wish to see any wildlife?

Or does it mean they will have to buy zoo tickets or sign up for special $15.00 "tours" with wildlife "experts" with powerful binoculars to find a warbler or chipmunk in the park?

It all reminds of an old Joni Mitchell song:

 "They cut down the trees and put them in a tree museum.
And they charge the people a dollar and a half just to see them."

The question is, is this what New Yorkers signed up for?  Is this what New Yorkers really want? 

 "Don't it always go to show?  That you don't know what you've got till it's gone? "

If not, then they have to find way to let their representatives and media know before ban is fully and actually enacted. Neither Roxanne nor I can do it for them.

 "They pave paradise and put up a parking lot."


               . .................................................

Reflections on Mother's Day

It's said that when a daughter marries, a mother doesn't lose a daughter; she gains a son.

But when my daughter married ten years ago, I felt I just lost a daughter.

It didn't help that we lived at opposite sides of the country. Phone calls became infrequent. Visits even fewer; two or three times a year, if lucky.

About four years ago, Tara and Ben moved to NY state from Utah.
My daughter and I were finally in the same state, but still more than four hours away by bus or car.

Matters improved little. I rarely saw Tara and had no communication at all with my son-in-law.
He was a stranger to me.

Then, last year, I decided to move from what had been "home" for my entire life -- New York City -- to upstate NY.

The decision was not an easy one. On the contrary, it was difficult.

I considered myself an independent woman, who, despite gripes about NYC, loved it.  It was after all, my "home." I had never wanted to live elsewhere. I loved my neighborhood, I loved Central Park, I was comfortable in my apartment which contained so many memories of my life and those of my daughter growing up.

But New York City is an expensive place to live -- especially when one is older and retired. I was bleeding money and resources and had to live on a tight budget.

I was also dismayed with many of the changes I was seeing in my neighborhood, as well as beloved, Central Park. More and more high rises going up, more crowds and more over-priced, trendy stores.  And it seemed the natural wildlife of Central Park was being pressured and "pushed out" to make room for and prioritize all manner of human activities and distractions.

Finally, I suffered a painful three-month bout of Shingles in 2017 that affected my right arm and left me struggling to accomplish even simple tasks. I realized for the first time, I was vulnerable.

But even more than these challenges, I mostly missed my daughter.

I missed our relationship -- and wondered where it has gone?

And so, as hard as it was -- and with the full help and support of Tara -- I finally bit the bullet and packed my belongings and cats and moved to Cortland, NY in early 2018. My daughter had found and helped secure a lovely apartment (close to shopping), complete with balcony, outdoor pool and other amenities and she drove to NYC to help me move.

I remember one moment, as the car headed towards the Lincoln Tunnel to exit NYC (perhaps for the last time for me), I thought, "I am not leaving NYC as much as it left me."

I did not look back.

I have been in Cortland a little more than a year now. It's a lovely, small city with less than 100,000 people. It's simple, unpretentious and in many ways, seems a throw-back to the 1950's.  It lacks the glitter and "excitement" of NYC, but I wasn't seeking those things anyway during later years.

But the best thing about living in Cortland is the proximity to my daughter and son-in-law who live in nearby Ithaca.  The days of holidays alone are gone as well as worrying how to lift something heavy or get to shopping outside of walking distance.

But even better than all this, is finally being able to watch a movie or TV show with my daughter and discussing afterwards and getting to know my son-in-law as a real human being and not just the person "who took my daughter from me."

 The truth is, we are not parents for just 18 years. We are parents for life.

And sometimes, we have to be willing to meet our kids halfway; give as well as expect. Listen as well as talk.

And so yes, it may have taken ten years and it may have required some hard lessons for me, but it is true that when your daughter marries, you don't lose a daughter; you gain a son.

You just have to willing to meet both in the middle.


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Greta's Dilemma

There is both, good and bad news regarding the three nesting geese at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park.

The good news is that two of the three successfully hatched goslings this week. Mary, on the north side of Reservoir, produced four healthy babies and Caroline, on the south side, three.

Caroline and her mate, Charlie are new to nesting at the Reservoir. It is speculated that she is likely one of the original daughters of Greta from several years ago. (Female geese choose nesting sites and it is usually a location close to or actually where they themselves hatched.)

Unfortunately, the news for Greta herself isn't so good.  Her eggs failed to hatch and even more mysteriously, completely vanished.
In fact, there is nothing at nesting site to show that a nest was ever there.  No downy feathers, twigs or fragments of shells remain. The area nearly appears cleaned up.

One might normally suspect human meddling or interference under circumstances like this. But in this case, it's hard to know for sure or even guess.

Both, Laura Taylor (our reporter and photographer on the ground) and myself were concerned about Greta from the get-go.

Unlike Mary and Caroline who both, "calorie loaded" elsewhere before coming to the Reservoir to nest, Greta and her mate, Hansel returned to the plant-barren Reservoir in March. With so little grass and foliage there, it's questionable that Greta built up enough necessary fat reserves to successfully nest and produce viable goslings.

The other matter of concern was Greta's behavior. Unlike past years, Greta's nest this year was sparse with little down and nesting materials. Granted, there was little around her with which to build an ornate nest, but the lack of feather down was unusual for Greta.

Could it be that Greta was discouraged or pessimistic after losing all five goslings last year at a month-old?

Impossible to answer that question as we just don't know enough about animals' emotions, memories or long term response to trauma. For whatever reason, it simply appeared that Greta's heart was not into nesting this year as was the case in the past.

But regardless of the reasons why Greta's eggs failed to hatch, current reality is that there are seven healthy goslings at the Reservoir and attention and priority is -- or should be with their hopeful survival. 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=384962609026933&id=100025395917812

Last year, 8 of 9 goslings perished at the Reservoir (all five of Greta's babies and 3 of 4 of Mary's). It is suspected, that if not the main cause for demise of goslings, malnutrition had to be a contributing factor as all the foliage and vegetation that surrounded the Reservoir had been cut down.

Goslings need to eat constantly in order to attain nearly full size and flight capability within three months. 

Currently, some greenery and vegetation has (thankfully) grown back at the Reservoir.  But is it enough to support and sustain seven growing goslings through the next three months?

That is not known at this time.

However, in view of what occurred last year, it seems only cautionary and prudent to suggest that these goslings should receive supplemental feeding and support from humans until such time they are capable of flying out with their parents at about 11-weeks-old.

This is also why it is important to oppose and fight the proposed Wildlife Feeding Ban that now looms over NYC and threatens empathetic feeders with criminal arrest. 

There are situations that arise that sometimes require human assistance to wildlife. Whether they be domestic ducks abandoned to park lakes, song birds and waterfowl trying to survive tough winters or vulnerable goslings confined to an area where "natural foods" have been deliberately removed or destroyed, people deserve the right to be charitable.

As for the new Reservoir goose families, as of yesterday all the geese and babies were congregated on the east side of the watercourse, including Hansel and Greta. 

Perhaps if they cannot have goslings themselves this year, Hansel and Greta have decided to aid and help protect and support the babies of Greta's sister, Mary and daughter, Caroline. 

Canada geese are known for outstanding family loyalty and looking out for each other.  That only we could say the same about our own species that too often prioritizes selfishness over concern and caring for others.


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"We Care About the Wildlife"

"We care about the wildlife."

 Yesterday, Roxanne Delgado of the Bronx Animal Rights Electors met with several NYC Parks officials who are pushing the Parks Commissioner to sign the proposed Wildlife Feeding Ban.

Ms. Delgado worked very hard doing research, investigations, interviews and gathering documents, articles and photos in order to demonstrate and prove why the feeding ban must be rejected.

During her point by point, half-hour presentation, not one question was raised to her.

Ms. Delgado was anticipating an active, engaged dialogue.  Instead, she received stone faces and nary a word in comment apart from robotic and candy-coated assurances that, "We care about the wildlife."

 Well, let's take a brief look on how NYC Parks "care about wildlife."

 * NYC Parks are routinely doused with fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and rodenticides.  Nut, fruit and seed-bearing trees and flora are removed and replaced by ornamental and non-native foliage that provide little food sources for birds and squirrels.

* Since 2009, more than 6,000 resident Canada geese have been rounded up from city parks and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and either gassed or slaughtered. Those geese still surviving in city parks have been subjected to nearly year-round harassment by Geese Police, as well as egg and nest destruction.
It is not exaggeration to call such programs, "Management to zero" (which is apparently, the intended goal).

*  Last summer, hundreds of raccoons died in Central Park (and other city parks), virtually wiping out the population.  Parks claimed Canine Distemper killed a number of the raccoons that were tested.  But did it kill all?  How did a virus kill so many animals living in different locations and even different parks?  Raccoons normally don't travel far from home territories. Few questions were asked by the press and even fewer answered.

 *  One of the jobs of Urban Park Rangers is to provide rescue for injured or ailing park wildlife.  Park Officials claim the rangers are "well trained" for rescues.  However, they are not well equipped.
Park Rangers are neither equipped with nets nor boats. Most times, they show up with a cat carrier which does not aid in capturing wildlife either from the water or on land.  On the other hand, Geese Police DOES have boats in order to harass geese and other birds on water. 
No boats for rescue. But boats for harassment and forcing out.  What does that say about "caring for wildlife?"

*  Park Rangers also claim they have "no access" to the Jackie Onassis Reservoir for waterfowl rescues. And yet, the Reservoir is a major resting point for thousands of migratory water birds passing through NYC twice a year, as well as a wintering spot for hundreds of migratory ducks and geese from December through March. During bad winters, these migratory birds (which are supposed to be protected by federal law) are left to starve to death when the Reservoir and park lakes freeze over more than 90%.

* NYC parks not only allow, but encourage so-called, "Catch and Release" fishing.  Fishermen routinely throw slices of white bread in the water in order to lure fish -- the same white bread that NYC parks now want to criminalize empathetic people for tossing to a hungry duck. But if bread is so "bad" for wildlife, why is it any healthier when tossed by a fisherman?
Fishermen routinely and carelessly discard fishing line around parks and lakes posing injury and sometimes loss of limbs or even death to waterfowl.
One Central Park goose lost a foot to fishing line several years ago, another goose with fishing bobble around beak, lost her life when Rangers were unable to rescue her and a mallard nearly lost his leg. Some years back, a duckling at Turtle Pond was caught on the end of a fishing hook horrifying onlookers and another time, a turtle was caught at Harlem Meer and the fisherman ( a kid) didn't know how to get it off the hook.
But not only is the fishing destructive to wildlife in general, but also to the fish, many of whom suffer mouth injuries before finally  being tossed back in the water -- after pictures are taken.

*  Many parks allow BBQ's which leave parks littered with trash and chicken bones and which in turn attract rats -- which bird feeders are then blamed for.

*  Some parks (especially, Central Park) routinely put on fireworks displays for occasions such as classical music concerts and marathons, in addition to holidays.  The fireworks terrify park wildlife and send hundreds of birds flying out.

These are just some of the many (destructive) ways NYC Parks "care about wildlife."

Truth is, wildlife is an inconvenience to City Parks which prioritize all manner of human activity, money-making enterprises and entertainment over biodiversity, nature and wildlife.

And it is exactly this same lack of biodiversity, altering of habitats, destruction of food sources, deliberate killings and heavy use of pesticides/insecticides that is "pushing/forcing wildlife out" globally, causing more than a million plant and animals species to now face extinction.

Push and "discourage" wildlife from NYC parks and where is it supposed to go?  Someone's back yard? Or the same place much of the world's wildlife is going? --  Nowhere?

Yes, NYC parks "care about wildlife."

 They care about it being gone.

And the proposed feeding ban if passed, will be the final nail in the coffin for NYC park wildlife.

Remove, replace and destroy natural food sources and then criminalize the alternate food sources as provided by human support.

 "Management" to zero - - exactly what the UN report warned against. 


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Amidst Chaos, New Life!

On the same day a devastating report was issued from the UN regarding animal and plant extinctions, new life was hatched at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park.  The symbolic irony should not be lost.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2019/05/06/one-million-species-face-extinction-un-panel-says-humans-will-suffer-result/?utm_campaign=FB_Org_Action&utm_content=20190506&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_term=.dcbb0303bb3c

Although all the major newspapers covered the extinctions report in which over one million animal, plant and insect species face extinction due mostly to human activities, one can bet the critical issue won't even be mentioned during next year's Presidential campaigns and debates  (unless people demand that it be).

We are a species that for the most part, likes to close its eyes to hard and uncomfortable realities -- especially those that compel us to make changes in our lives.  In many ways we are drowning in our own over-consumption and consumerism -- and we are taking the rest of the planet and animals with us.

But that is not to say matters are completely without hope. 

 "Think globally, act locally."

 This was the original mantra of the Environmental movement and it is so true.

It is vital to be aware of what is happening around the world and how even small, everyday decisions we make have impact. But nowhere is our power stronger for change than in our own backyards and communities.

When noting wildlife disappearing in local parks and communities, it is critical to observe, question why and when necessary, take proactive action to stand up and speak out to officials and those in charge of so-called, "wildlife management."

That is in fact, what this entire struggle to protect what little wildlife remains in NYC parks has been about.

Alterations in and destruction of natural habitat, heavy use of pesticides, insecticides and rodenticides and now, a proposed ban on all feeding of wildlife are succeeding in virtually emptying NYC parks of existing wildlife.

Such should be unacceptable in a world that is in the midst of the "Sixth Great Mass Extinction ."

So far, a final decision on the proposed "Wildlife Feeding Ban" (though expected in early April), has not yet been issued for NYC parks.  That is hopefully a possible sign that all the calls and letters are having some impact. It's important to keep them coming:

https://www.facebook.com/326231281077113/posts/819191245114445/

Yesterday, friend and fellow wildlife advocate, Laura Taylor went to the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park and discovered that the nesting Canada goose we named, "Caroline" hatched three perfect goslings. 

Caroline and her mate, Charlie are first-time parents at the Reservoir. It is suspected she is likely a daughter of Greta who is currently nesting at the East Side of the watercourse.   (Female geese choose nesting sites and usually in locations where they themselves hatched several years before.)

There is also new foliage attempting to grow in between the rocks surrounding Reservoir.

All hopeful signs.  But hope alone means little without consistent action.

Whether these goslings ultimately survive -- and the world's wildlife as a whole -- depends upon the actions that we as humans take over the ensuing weeks, months and years.

Environment, climate change and animal extinctions need to be pushed to the top of priority lists during all upcoming elections.

And in the meantime, we need to be not only allowed to support city parks wildlife, but welcomed to do so.

   
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Fair and "Fowl" Weather Friends

We're all familiar with the phrase, "Fair weather friends." - - The people who love you when you've just hit the lottery, but run the other way when you've been kicked to the curb by a job, lover or some nasty bug. Call these people when the sun is shining, but not when clouds and storm rule the day!

But in the duck and goose worlds things are quite different.

Mallards love me when temperatures are frigid, snow covers the ground and ice coats the water.  They fly to greet me, throw themselves at me feet and even try to follow me home!

 " We are so happy to see you! What have you brought for us?" They plead. "We are so hungry. We are so desperate; so cold!"

 But come the spring and fair weather, there is dramatic change.

 "What, you again? What do you want? Go away. We don't need you!"

 It is more than a three mile walk to and back from my local park.

But these days when going there, the mallards are usually resting and sunning themselves on the grass. They can't be bothered to get off their butts and walk ten feet to greet me. It's way too much effort!

So much for gratitude for helping them get through a tough winter.
The mallards are a greedy and totally narcissistic bunch, sad to say.

But Canada geese?  Ah, they are different!

Like the mallards, the geese appreciate some human support during harsh winters.

But unlike mallards, the geese don't forget who their human friends  are -- even during fair weather and even when they don't need human handouts.

When arriving to the park yesterday, most of the mallards, domestic ducks and even Chinese geese were off in snoozeville.   Nestled in the tall, fresh grass, most heads were tucked in backs and there was barely a stir. I am reasonably sure they were aware of my presence, but unless I brought sun tan oil, they weren't interested.

 "Don't go away mad, just go away." I could hear their collective minds say. "We're good. We don't need anything!"

I looked for the new goose family.

Bogie and Bacall had just hatched goslings two days before, but when last seen, the babies were safely tucked under Mama's wings while the family rested. They were too far away (behind the fenced area) to photograph.

I finally did see the family yesterday, but like two days before, they were far back in the wooded deer area. But this time, I could make out a couple of tiny, yellow heads bobbing up and down in the grass.

But still too far for me to photograph.

I stood at the fence for a while on what seemed a lazy, spring day.  Even the deer were apparently taking it easy somewhere amongst the wooded trees.  No one was interested in seeing me.

But, wait. Just as I was about to turn around and head for home...

 Bacall suddenly started flying forward!  And three bouncing balls of yellow fluff began running behind her, followed closely, by an anxious dad.

In an instant, the family was before me. And though I tossed some duck pellets and a few small bits of bread, neither parent was particularly hungry -- though the babies nibbled curiously.

Bogie and Bacall proudly brought their babies before me, both to greet and to show off.

They stayed a few minutes and obligingly posed for photos and then retreated peacefully back to the wooded, grassy area; babies merrily trotting beside them. It was sweet of them to make my long walk to the park fruitful and fulfilling.

And so yes, some people are only friends during good times. And most ducks seem only interested in friendship during bad times.

But geese?

Ah, geese never forget who their human friends are and they are always there for you come fair weather or "fowl."

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Theories, Guesses and Lies -- Keep the Salt Shaker Handy

Over the years, those struggling to protect the wildlife of city parks have had to contend with many false claims put forth by those advocating for destruction and/or "discouragement" of park wildlife.

 The most recent theory to be "tossed at wall" is the suggestion (by a feeding ban supporter) that the 8 of 9 goslings who perished at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir last summer were all likely victims of "Snapping turtles." 

 Of course there is no evidence to back up this claim nor even documentation to show Snapping turtles actually exist at the world famous location. 

Neither myself nor friends have ever seen a Snapping turtle at the Reservoir and I personally was there thousands of times. (Snappers do however live at some of the Central Park lakes and ponds.)

But even if we assume (for sake of argument) that Snapping turtles exist at Reservoir, the suggestion that they suddenly took out 8 of 9 otherwise healthy goslings more than a month-old and within a week is preposterous.

Goslings move fast and have two protective parents. Snapping turtles move extremely slowly and mostly stay at the bottom of the water in sand or mud.

Moreover, Snapping turtles are omnivores who mostly eat plants, worms, insects, fish, frogs or ailing birds.
Despite Snapping turtles at Turtle Pond and the Lake in Central Park over the past decade, no goslings fell victim to them.

Of course, I have no "hard evidence" that the demise of the 8 goslings last summer was due to malnutrition. 

But that theory is based on circumstantial evidence:

It is fact that the "natural food sources" for goslings (plants, grass, vegetation) were destroyed around the Reservoir last spring.

It is fact that goslings have to constantly eat in order to attain adult size and flight within three months of age.

It is fact that all 8 goslings perished at about a month-old and all within ten days of each other. 

Ruling out deliberate poison as possible cause, that leaves few options. (No dogs, foxes, coyotes or fishermen around Reservoir.)

It is possible that poor nutrition left goslings in a weakened state, thereby making them vulnerable to predation by regular turtles or hawks. In such case, malnutrition is contributing and primary (if not final), cause of death.

One of the most popular "theories" (especially on the Internet) by those opposing any support of park wildlife is that human feeding (especially bread) "may cause Angel Wing."

 The key word in that sentence is "may."

 I could claim that drinking coffee "may cause insanity in humans."

 That doesn't mean it does. 

 "May, might, could and can" are disqualifying (or guessing) words that don't require actual evidence to back then up. 

And so we find little evidence to back up the charge that bread causes Angel Wing.  On the contrary, the few scientific studies done on this question suggest the condition to be primarily genetic in causation. (It mostly occurs in domestic fowl raised for meat or eggs.)

Even more to the point, Angel Wing rarely occurs in wild mallard populations and these are the birds most fed bread in public parks.

Another "may" that is particularly disconcerting is the claim that human feeding "may delay bird migrations."

Bird migrations are established over thousands of years. And while there are occasional variations due to climate changes, presence of predators or available natural food sources, birds don't alter migratory patterns based upon some humans feeding treats. When the calendar tells birds to move, they move.

So far, we have discussed theories, guesses and speculations.

But there are times when park officials and representatives outright lie to people. Such was the case in 2010 when park spokespeople from Prospect Park told questioning park goers that the park's 360 molting geese and goslings "flew to a nearby cemetery."

 The truth was, the geese and their babies had been rounded up at dawn on that sultry July 8th morning and sent for gassing.

The bottom line to all this is that unfortunately, one cannot take as "fact," claims and charges made by those whose goal appears to be the destruction of or pushing out of wildlife from city parks. - - Especially when those claims are preceded by unprovable, "May, might, could or can."

It's important to require evidence of claims and not just take at face value.  A salt shaker seems to be sad necessity when communicating  with park officials and representatives. 


                                              -----------

Where the Star Attraction is the Wildlife

It's a bit ironic that I moved from NYC to Cortland, N.Y. more than a year ago, yet find myself writing nearly exclusively about the same problems plaguing NYC parks and their wildlife as when I was living there.

Could  it be that you can take the woman out of NYC, but not NYC out of the woman?

Actually, I don't think so.

There is nothing I miss about NYC other than friends still living there and the wildlife I came to know in Central Park.  Wildlife that appears now to be under intense pressure to, "Move to Long Island."

In terms of contrast, I am writing today about my local park in Cortland, the Municipal Water Works Park, which is less than two miles from where I live.

Yes, it's a bit of hike walking to and from there, and it's not the rolling hills and manicured lawns of Central Park. But the Water Works Park is a special kind of haven for wildlife.

A large, wooded area is fenced off for the herd of roughly 30 White-tailed deer maintained there and there is a sizable, temperature-controlled pond that is ideal for wild ducks and geese -- especially during harsh Cortland winters.  There are also many robust squirrels, both grey and red and some groundhogs.

Not only are families with children welcomed to bring food for wildlife, but the park actually fills troughs with hard corn and fresh water for deer.

While there are picnic tables in the park, most visitors come exclusively to feed and interact with the deer and waterfowl.
Some people even have names for the deer and can tell you all about their relationships to each other.

In addition to wild mallards and geese, there are also a number of domestic ducks at the park and two domestic (Chinese) geese whom I call, "The Honeymooners " -- that is because Ralph and Alice are so LOUD!  I understand the Chinese geese have been living at the park six years, though no one seems to know how they or the domestic ducks got there. But all survived a brutal winter and appear to be doing well.

Presently, in the park, things are in peaceful lull.
Most of the geese and mallards have departed for more "private" nesting sites.  The deer have lost their antlers and the young have yet to hatch or be born.

But within weeks, the park will be bristling with new life in the forms of baby ducklings, goslings and fawns!

Last year, we had at least 60 ducklings, close to 40 goslings and maybe about 7 or 8 fawns-- all of them healthy despite nearly constant human feeding throughout the year, including much bread.

Waterfowl population does fluctuate in the park with it being lower in early spring and fall and heavier in summer (because of babies) and in winter because of the temperature-managed pond.

Though not having the funding and resources of NYC parks, the Municipal Water Works Park in Cortland is beautifully maintained with crystal clean water all the time, natural trees and fauna. And despite all the wildlife feeding, the park is never littered with trash strewn about or discarded fishing lines. (No fishing in park.)

In short, the Municipal Water Works park in Cortland is as different from Central Park as night is to day. Wildlife is the focal point and main attraction, whereas in all NYC parks, wildlife is apparently  unwelcome inconvenience.

But weren't NYC parks originally created for harried New Yorkers to have peaceful respite and opportunity to connect with nature and wildlife? When did they become mere extension of the outside chaos and crowds of the city; the "concrete jungle?"

Give me a park where instead of movies, shows, concerts, sporting events and fireworks, the star attraction is still nature and wildlife.

I never really left New York City as much as it left me.


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