"Making Room for Migratory Geese" -- Through Unrelenting Harassment

Migratory Canada geese gathered along the Central Park Reservoir this morning just prior to take-off.

Taking off on the rest of their long and taxing migration.

"Get the Flock Out!" Geese Police again patrolling Central Park to immediately chase out any migratory geese who stop to rest or graze at any of the park's lakes, ponds or lawns.

 

"We harass resident geese to make room for the migratory geese."

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The above was told to me several years ago by a spokesperson for the Central Park Conservancy, when questioned why Canada geese were being harassed and chased from Harlem Meer.

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Even at the time, I knew this statement to be completely lacking in credibility.

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Resident geese and migratory geese do not follow the same behavioral patterns nor do they typically "loaf" in the same locations nor mix together.

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But, if we needed proof that the statement was blatantly false, it can be noted in the fact that, ("Get the Flock Out") Geese Police is once again, patrolling Central Park -- at a time when virtually all the geese passing through one of the world's most prestigious parks are in fact, migratory.  

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Geese Police has been observed over the past week, patrolling the lawns, lakes and ponds of Central Park, as well as chasing geese from the Boat Lake through the use of kayaks and a Border Collie. (The Boat Lake is one of the few areas in Central Park to actually have any geese to chase.)

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But, despite the lunacy and needless cruelty, there is still some good news to report:

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1-- Virtually all the migratory geese pass through and briefly rest at the Central Park Reservoir -- the one watercourse, Geese Police does not have access to.

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2-- The 16 geese currently at the Boat Lake are led by two ganders ("Man" and Warrior") who are well accustomed to Geese Police and are not easily intimidated.

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Bad news of course is that any migratory geese who briefly land or perhaps attempt to feed in places other than the Reservoir, will be subjected to harassment.  

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Considering that migratory geese fly thousands of miles on treacherous journeys from the far north regions of Canada and the sub Arctic to points south in the United States, rest and feed stops along the way are extremely important to them. Any disruptions or molestations to that, can potentially and negatively impact the rest of the migration.

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Put simply, migrations are extremely taxing on all birds in terms of stress, dangers and physical endurance even under the best circumstances. If they cannot stop to replenish both energy and nourishment, some could ultimately be doomed.

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In the past, I have observed migratory geese briefly stopping to graze and/or rest at the North Meadow in Central Park, as well as the Great Lawn and Harlem Meer . But, in recent years, little of such has been observed, most likely due the aggressive, anti-wildlife policies of the Central Park Conservancy, of which Geese Police represents only one.

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I specifically recall a gaggle of four migratory geese who had briefly stopped at Harlem Meer one morning a couple of years ago -- only to be immediately harassed out by Geese Police. Of course I complained to the Central Park Conservancy, but obviously to no avail. They know who I am and routinely dismiss my calls or letters. ("Crazy old goose lady," no doubt.)

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It is a personal frustration that I am apparently the only person bothered enough by these damaging and unnecessary actions to actually protest them. I know other people are dismayed, but evidently not enough to make a simple call or write a note.  

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It is impossible to count the number of conversations I have personally had with other park goers over the past few years in which they expressed distress with the "disappearing" and low numbers of waterfowl in Central Park or even having personally witnessed Geese Police in action. But, I can't recall even one (other than my friend, Liliana) who actually took the time to make their thoughts known to the Central Park Conservancy.

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Evidently, wildlife lovers are not as vocal as those whose wishes are to turn Central Park into an enormous, outdoor gym -- which is pretty much what it is now.  (Indeed, the only things missing are treadmills and exercise machines, but I trust they will be installed any year now.)

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All of this is particularly disturbing in light of species vanishing from the planet in what is recently referred to as the, "Sixth Greatest Mass Extinction" and massive numbers of sea birds currently dying on the west coast from California to Alaska. http://tribelive.ning.com/forum/mind-blowing-die-off-of-seabirds-underway-from-california-to-alas?fb_action_ids=10153814628233394&fb_action_types=og.likes

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With all of this in mind, I am making special effort to get to the Reservoir as often as I can during the fall migrations to catch the migratory geese either coming into (usually at night) or leaving the Reservoir with the rising sun.

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It is a thrill beyond words to see and hear this magnificent undertaking twice a year.

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But should the migratory geese eventually "disappear" from Central Park as so much other wildlife has over the years, let us consider, it was death by a thousand cuts of which uncontested and unrelenting goose harassment was but a small part.

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The greatest death knells were silence and indifference.  -- PCA

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Return of the Embattled Warrior Goose and Now Undisputed King

Warrior watching over his flock in the water.

"Hi There! Don't mind my rough appearance."

Warrior (right) and his mate, Princess.

Guarding the flock who remained dutifully in the water.

Embattled and physically challenged, but still respected by all, Warrior surveys while his demure mate looks on.

 

About two weeks ago, there was a flock of newly arrived and what I presumed to be, migratory geese at the Central Park Reservoir.

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But the lead gander particularly caught my eye.

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He appeared to be very roughed up -- as if having been in many battles. The front of his neck was raw and missing feathers.

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He came close to the rocks and looked up as if recognizing me (something unusual for migratory geese).

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A part of me wondered, "Could it possibly be? Nah, it couldn't be! It's just a goose that looks like him."

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I continued to watch this gander for a while.

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No doubt he was the undisputed leader of the gaggle. He was quite formidable in chasing other geese away from himself and his immediate family and laying down rules.

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Later that evening, I called my friend, Liliana.

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"There was a goose at the Reservoir tonight that looked a lot like Warrior. That same roughed up neck with missing feathers and he seemed to recognized me!  But, of course, it couldn't be..."

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Both, Liliana and myself, have assumed for almost a year, that Warrior was long dead.

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He didn't look good the summer before last when he and his mate, Princess attempted to nest at the Boat Lake and their eggs were destroyed. When both geese finally left the Boat Lake in December of 2014, they had not been seen since anywhere in Central Park.

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A brutal winter followed and one spring and summer without any sign of the gander with the scars of past battles (along with some chronic skin condition) and his dutiful, but forever devoted mate.

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But then suddenly, what appeared to be Warrior in both looks and behavior magically turned up at the Reservoir early in this year's fall migrations!

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Liliana was surprised with the news, but like me, was skeptical that the gander was actually Warrior.

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The only way to know for sure would be that, instead of flying out of Central Park with the rest of the migratory geese, Warrior and his mate returned to the Boat Lake.

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Sure enough, the following day, Liliana called to report that indeed, Warrior and Princess had returned to the Boat Lake -- but they did not return alone.

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The pair had evidently produced four goslings this past summer!

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And not only were Warrior and Princess overseeing their four immediate offspring, but they were also the apparent top of hierarchy to a gaggle of 14 geese in total (including the family of six).

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It's not clear if the other 8 geese are members of extended family or just summer flock mates who have tagged along with the family during the fall migration with Warrior as the designated leader.  

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It has been known for some time that in geese, families with young generally "rule" and the older ganders especially tend to take on leadership positions for the whole group. -- What they say, goes.  (Female goose mates, however, choose nesting locations in the spring. Apparently, it was Princess who smartly decided this past spring that the Central Park Boat Lake was not conducive for nesting and raising young.)

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Over the past two weeks, Liliana has regularly reported the comings and goings of Warrior and the family, as well as their dominance, not only of the geese in their immediate gaggle, but all the geese on the lake -- including the four resident geese who are now clearly outnumbered and have to acquiesce to the larger group.

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But, though he may appear (and is) rough and tumble with other geese, Warrior obviously has a tender heart for those humans he remembers fondly. He has always been a favorite for my friend, Liliana (probably because she feels sorry for and worries about him) and he repays her kindness with special acknowledgement and gratitude.

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Yesterday morning I went to the Boat Lake to see for myself, if it really was Warrior who had returned with his mate (and entire gaggle!) and if he still remembered me?

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And yes, Warrior and Princess not only remembered, but came right up to me! However, the other geese of his gaggle, including the couple's four young goslings remained cautiously in the water.

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It was good to see these two special geese again -- though Warrior looks even more embattled than what I remember. (He apparently has some chronic skin condition that results in irritation and feather loss around the neck and head.) 

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Both now and in the past, Liliana and I have discussed possibility of trying to rescue Warrior and bring him to the Wild Bird Fund for diagnosis and possible treatment. But, such would negatively impact his mate and (now) offspring, as well as the gaggle he heads up. Moreover, it's not certain such a long standing condition actually is treatable.

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So, for the moment, the decision is once again to carefully observe.  As long as Warrior is eating and behaving normally, it is probably wiser to let him be. He has obviously learned to "adapt" to the condition and adapt well -- especially in procreating, successfully raising young ones and even leading a flock.

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It was nice yesterday to see Warrior proudly standing on the rock with his devoted mate nearby, looking over his gaggle. 

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If bothered by any physical challenges, he wasn't showing it.

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As said to my friend, Liliana, "You chose the perfect name for this gander, as he is a true warrior through and through!"   -- PCA

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Taking Chance on Old Doggie in a "Baby" Stroller

An old dog feeling young again and just enjoying the ride.

One of the hardest things about having a dog for many years is watching him/her grow older and not be able to do the same things as years past.

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My Pomeranian, Chance, is nearly 20-years-old now.

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Up until two and a half years ago, I used to walk him and his companion dog, Tina, two to three miles in Central Park every night.

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Sadly, we lost Tina last year, when at the age of 21, she lost her ability to walk or even get up from a sitting or sleeping position. I knew the end had come when she no longer wanted to eat.

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It's always extremely tough when that day inevitably arrives when one must learn to say, good-bye to a loved, companion pet of many years. Our dogs and cats literally become our family and that is especially true when our adult human children marry and move on to their own lives and families.

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Fortunately, my daughter accompanied me the day we had to bring Tina to the Animal Medical Center for euthanasia and we were fortunate to have a very caring and compassionate veterinarian. Tina's departure from this world was peaceful and without pain.

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But, it was still heartbreaking and wrought with grief.

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Fortunately for me, I still had Chance to come home to.

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But now Chance too, has reached advanced senior age and like Tina, has slowed tremendously over the past year or so.

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I rarely do walks in the park anymore with Chance as it requires great effort on his part. Though he still loves going out, the old bones are simply not capable of long hikes. Supplements help, but do not turn back the hands of time.

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Still, I have greatly missed walks in the park with my dog(s). More importantly, I know Chance has missed them.

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What to do -- if anything?

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With the weather turning cooler now and Central Park not quite so mobbed with dense crowds, runners and cyclists, the thought occurred to me last week about the possibility of purchasing a doggie stroller for Chance.

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Of course, I worried that such might be out of my budget or worse, Chance simply wouldn't take to it.

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Chance has always been a funny dog about avoiding furniture and even the doggie bed I bought a couple of years ago.  (My cats use it.)

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Nevertheless, I decided to look into the matter.

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Shockingly, doggie strollers are actually inexpensive and affordable (or at least on Amazon.com, they are.)

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I found and ordered a pretty blue, doggie stroller from the Internet site -- and then thought myself completely insane for doing so.

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"Chance will freak out in it!  It will be too heavy and cumbersome to lug up and down stairs. He won't fit comfortably. I still won't be able to take him on the Reservoir path. The stroller is so cheap, there must be something wrong with it. I'll just waste money for something the cats can't even use."

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Yes, I thought of a million things that could go wrong, the biggest being my beloved and senior Pomeranian being utterly terrorized and traumatized. I could envision Chance struggling and tearing to get out and perhaps even having a heart attack in the process!

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Of course, 90% of the stuff we worry about never happens.

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The stroller arrived a few days ago.

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But, it wasn't until this morning, (at the crack of dawn no less), that I finally garnered the gumption to give it the old college try.

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Getting both, the stroller and Chance to the street wasn't the big deal I thought it might be. (The stroller is lightweight and easy to carry.) I walked Chance a couple of blocks while pushing the stroller. (Also not hard).

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And then finally the moment of reckoning: Putting Chance in the stroller and heading to Central Park!

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I had done a short trial run in my apartment to be sure the fit was OK and it was. But, Chance had been a bit nervous at home. Would he totally freak out in the streets?

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Chance was a bit fidgety and a little whiney at first. Oh, oh.

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But, once we started moving along, he settled down and finally seemed to find a comfortable position.

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By the time we got to Central Park, he was sitting upright, alertly looking out through the protective netting, and had a wide smile on his face! 

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There was little activity on the Reservoir at that early hour on a Sunday morning. What few runners there were, actually smiled and chuckled at the Pomeranian in a small, "baby" stroller.

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I could not have dreamed or begged for a more perfect morning.

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Migratory geese on the water, the raccoon family settling in their dens to sleep for the day and my happy old dog enjoying a "ride" in the park.

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It was like a trip back in time, as it had been so long since I had been able to enjoy quality, guilt-free time in Central Park with my dog. (Our recent walks had been short and seemed a struggle for Chance.)

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Chance and I were in the park for a little over an hour and both, he and I enjoyed every minute.

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When at last we were back home, Chance came out of his stroller, tail wagging like a puppy!

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Yes, 90% of the stuff we worry about doesn't happen. And yes, sometimes a little optimism and positive thinking goes a long way.

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So glad I took the chance for Chance. He is one very happy old dog now who for the moment, is feeling young again!  -- PCA

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Like Clockwork, Migratory Canada Geese Arrive -- But Not Without Their Dramas!

First waves of migratory Canada geese that will be arriving and departing the Central Park Reservoir from now until early January.

Enjoying the view of the city from their rest stop.

Raccoon family momentarily diverting my attention from the geese last night.

And in an instant, the 22 geese departed and took off for the skies.

Like clockwork, the first (of what will be many) waves of migratory Canada geese passing through New York City arrived at the Central Park Reservoir on Monday.

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But, one has to be careful not to blink. For as quickly as they arrive, the geese are just as quickly gone. 

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For the early migrators, Central Park is just a brief and designated resting stop -- similar to ones for humans along busy highways.

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The geese rest and then gather themselves together again for that long and taxing journey south.

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Fall migrations are however, far more protracted and less predictable than the ones occurring during the spring. Perhaps that is because in the spring, the geese are very eager to return to their nesting grounds and establish their territories.

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Generally, the spring migrations occur over a relatively short time span of roughly six weeks (late February to early April). But the fall migrations (starting as early as September) can actually carry through the beginning of winter in early January.

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It seems many geese are reluctant to leave their home territories in the sub Arctic and Northern Canada and only do so when absolutely forced to -- in other words, when all available water freezes over and the grounds are covered in snow.

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But, like humans, not all geese wait until "hell freezes over" to get out of town.

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The geese we see coming and going now are evidently the ones who like to get first digs at the best wintering locations, presumably, far south. The geese coming later do not travel as far and the ones arriving the latest (in December and January) don't leave the Reservoir at all. Rather, they elect to tough it out over what can be a very rough winter in New York City (especially the last two years).

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In a way, it's not too unlike humans showing up to an outdoor rock concert.  The early arrivals get the premium places near the stage. The later ones are lucky to even see the stage -- but they have more time and fun at home.

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With all this in mind, it came as no surprise that my "lonely goose" who was ultimately fortunate to reunite with her lost mate over the weekend (and spent a romantic night with him on Saturday) was long gone by Sunday. I am guessing the pair either left late on Saturday night or more likely, with the first rays of sunrise the following morning.

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The couple had a lot of "catching up" to do if the goal was to rejoin their migratory flock, probably half way to Georgia by then.

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When sharing the story of my reunited love birds with my friend, Liliana, she reminded me of something I shared with her last year.

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"Remember when you told me about the flock of migratory geese leaving the Reservoir, but one stayed on the water....?"

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Ah, yes. How could I forget?

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Yes, there was one goose who was either snoozing or just wasn't in the mood to ship out immediately with the rest.

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She remained on the water alone, as the rest of her gaggle lifted off and headed for the skies.

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At first, I thought the recalcitrant goose might be injured or sick and felt concern.

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But, then as the departing skein was heading over the trees and out of Central Park, I noted one goose suddenly turning around and quickly zooming back to the Reservoir -- as if he'd forgotten something!

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And sure enough, he landed right next to the goose still lazing on the water.

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"What the hell?" one could almost imagine him asking. "Well, I didn't think you were going to up and leave with the rest and just abandon me!"

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After resolving the, ahem, "miscommunication," both geese finally lifted off together and followed in the path of the ones who left a few minutes before. Apparently, they figured there was plenty of time to catch up.

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When relating that story to my friend last year, we had both laughed. "He didn't notice until in the air and almost out of the park, that he had left his mate behind?"

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Did the same recently happen with my lonely goose pining away and waiting alone on the Reservoir for nearly a week?

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Anything is possible during the fall migrations.  But, if that was the case, it took her mate nearly a full five days to discover he was missing his lover! 

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Thankfully, he made the long haul back to retriever her. --  Ain't love grand?

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Yes, the fall migrations are less predictable and more protracted than the spring journeys and both can have their snags.

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Last night, the roughly 60 geese observed on Monday were gone and replaced by 22 new arrivals.

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But, as I visited briefly with the family of raccoons near the North Gate House, the 22 geese could be heard loudly honking near the eastern part of the Reservoir and (before I could even get my camera out) suddenly took off and were gone.

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If the goal is to get photos of the fall migratory geese in flight, be careful not to blink.

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They fly by night just as readily as they do during the day. Nothing is predictable except that the fall migration season for geese is a long one and it has just begun. Hopefully without too many dramas of lost mates left behind -- that a gander has to return to and retrieve.  -- PCA

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Reunited and it Feels So Good! -- A Lonely Goose, Lonely No More

As one on the Reservoir, under the glow of the city lights.

A rare moment when a couple of feet separated the very bonded pair.

Off they go together, never to be cruelly separated again.

I always thought the '70's song by Peaches and Herb to be syrupy, sentimental slop.

But, it was the song to immediately leap to mind when at the Reservoir last night -- and it never left.

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I actually went to the Central Park Reservoir with some trepidation. I was more than a little fearful on what I might find.

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For nearly a week, I had been observing a solitary Canada goose completely alone and bereft at the mile and a quarter, famous watercourse.

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It was obvious that the goose (for whatever reason) had somehow become separated from her mate or family; most likely along the long migratory route that stretches from the far reaches of Canada to some point south in the US.

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At first, the goose was spotted along the north east part of the Reservoir, where new flocks of migratory geese typically land and briefly rest before taking off again. But, there were no other geese with her or anywhere on the Reservoir.

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Over the following evenings, she was spotted stoically staying on the divider that runs across the Reservoir from north to south. Each night, she was in the same exact spot, alone and never moving at all -- even when the rain pounded down upon her.  

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She was either waiting for something, bracing herself for something or had "cast her fate to the wind" (literally) and was resigned to anything. Her body was slumped and her head tucked and bowed into her back each evening. Everything about the goose was an image of forlornness and abject longing.

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I became fearful that my lonely goose would simply die from the grief of loss and a broken heart.

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So, last night when I left to go to the Reservoir, I tried to brace myself for the worst. There was a good chance I would see my lonely goose's broken body, belly up near the edges of the water. Or, if I was "lucky," I might not see her at all. -- I could then try to imagine some happy ending of her magically flying off with a passing migratory flock of geese.

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But, neither of those scenarios was to occur.

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Walking along the north east path of the Reservoir, I peered out on the water and noticed what appeared to be my lonely goose slowly and leisurely swimming. 

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"Thank goodness!" I thought with relief. "At least she is finally swimming -- and she appears a bit perkier!"

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But, then I noticed it was not one goose, but TWO!

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The two geese were bound so closely together, that from a distance they appeared as one. 

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I immediately took out my camera to snap some photos. But, it was difficult to get any that actually showed two geese. I had to delete a bunch. 

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Finally, after about 15 minutes, the two geese finally separated enough to capture both in photo under the lights of the city in the background.

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But, they remained exceptionally close during the half hour I watched them, making photography difficult and limiting. It was as if each was terrified of losing the other again and they were thus, nearly inseparable. (This is something a little unusual for goose pairs except during the mating season, which is obviously not now. Typically, mated pairs stay within a few feet of each other and sometimes one or the other will even wander a bit!)

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But, for those rare moments of parting enough to photograph, the bonded pair indeed created a beautiful image of peace, joy, contentment and (dare one say), celebration as they flowed gently and romantically across the water.

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"Reunited and it feels so good!"

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Yes, I could practically hear those two reunited lovers crooning that song!

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And I will never think the same about that old Peaches and Herb "sentimental slop" again. It might in fact, be the most romantic song ever on YouTube:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1uvmh75xxs

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My lonely, grieveing goose is lonely no more.  She is very much alive and well with her soul mate once again cruising by her side. 

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"Reunited and it Feels So Good!"  -- PCA

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Fire, Rain and a Lonely Goose in the Mist

A lonely goose, far out in the water as the rain came down...Stoic and bracing in the face of oncoming storm.

She was out there again last night. In the middle of the Reservoir, alone, without any sign of other bird or life near her. 

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She made no attempt to move; to escape the rain that continued to fall and bead upon her head and body. 

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It was as though she wanted to blend and melt and disappear into the misty fog and approaching, early darkness.

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She arrived to the Central Park Reservoir four days ago -- completely alone.

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Exhausted, spent, she sat on the water barely moving, with her head tucked into her back.

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It is always a forlorn and disconcerting sight to observe any solitary Canada goose, but especially a migratory goose and especially during the hunting season.

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She stood out in the otherwise empty still water, like a dagger though a cloud.

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There are only three reasons for a Canada goose to be without his/her mate or flock and none are good:

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1-- S/he has become lost and separated in flight -- something that is a little unusual for Canada geese as they are so organized when flying in familiar "V" formation. Moreover, if a goose falls out of formation, it is typical that two other geese will follow and stay with the hurt goose until s/he either recovers or dies.

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2-- S/he has suffered illness or injury and was unable to continue on with her brethren.

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3-- S/he was the only goose to survive a targeted shoot by hunters.

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"A foursome came in and though they never committed to landing, we killed three of them."

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Am I looking at the one goose who got away from the fire and the guns?   http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2015/09/11/michigans-canada-goose-season-could-be-historic/

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Or, if not that particular hunt, another one as early hunting season has begun in many parts of the country, including New York. It is not unusual for hunters to boast that they shot all but one or two geese who managed to get away.

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But, what happens to the loners who miraculously escape the bullets?

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We sometimes find ourselves looking at them, far out in the mist and desolately alone as the rain tumbles gently upon their spent bodies and tucked back heads.

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"Won't you look down upon me, Jesus, you've got to help me make a stand.

You've just got to see me through another day

My body's aching and my time is at hand

I won't make it any other way

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"I've seen fire and I've seen rain. I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end.

But I always thought that I'd see you again."

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Yes, "sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground."

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I wonder if James Taylor was looking at a loner goose during the season of the guns when he wrote that song?   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3uaXCJcRrE   -- PCA

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