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.
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