The Best Ever! (Good News Animal Stories)

"The Bad Four" -- Domestic ducks, Connie, Carol, Conner and Cochise, writing their own stories at Harlem Mere.

The One that Got Away

I am sometimes a harsh critic of media. 

However, once in a while, the media actually does some good.

For example, when the press shows up to film a panicked animal just escaped from a slaughterhouse and giving cops a hard time.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=8983689

The goat from the ABC news video above was destined for slaughter, but miraculously escaped. Thanks mostly to news coverage, he is now safely at the Farm Sanctuary in upstate New York.

But, a video like this serves as reminder of the fates of millions of animals everyday who are not so fortunate to find miraculous escape from their violent, premature end.

Let us not delude ourselves to thinking the cows, chickens, ducks, pigs, goats and other animals have no sense of their impending doom and go happily to their deaths.  They certainly sense and they don't go willingly.

One was simply lucky to get away -- and find a news camera.

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Danville, Virginia, Here I Come!

As noted so many times in this journal, "news coverage" on Canada geese is almost always demeaning, inaccurate and negative. Geese have continually been excoriated in the press and by petty government officials who falsely brand geese as airline terrorists, child attackers, water destroyers and monstrous threats to human health and welfare.

Imagine the utter shock today to find an article and video that was actually positive for the geese!

http://www.wset.com/story/20994183/danville-residents-happy-to-still-feed-geese

For several years, I have wondered if there was any place in America where geese are actually welcomed and appreciated?

Apparently, they are appreciated in Danville, Virginia!

Not only are geese respected in this community, but according to one woman's doctor, interactions with the geese are beneficial to human health.

I daresay, this is the most accurate and positive piece on geese (and humans!) seen in a long, long time.

Its enough to make one want to pack bags and grab the next train to Dansville.

Considering New York City's gassing and slaughter of thousands of Canada geese over the past few years, I for one am tired of feeling shame and distress with my city.

It would be really nice to feel proud of being an American once again.

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Games Duckies Play

A couple of amusing recent observations at Harlem Mere.

The other night, "Cochise" (the black domestic duck with wing feathers sticking up) stayed too long pecking cracked corn off the ground.  He failed to notice his three flock mates taking to the water and moving to the other side of a half frozen lake.

When finally satiated and looking around, Cochise appeared to be a bit panicked that his companions had taken off without him.

Jeeze, where did they go?

Cochise hopped in the water and began to swim all around quacking loudly.

Meanwhile, Conner, Connie and Carol sat quietly among some marshes on the opposite side of the lake and seemed to take some perverse delight in poor Cochise's frantic search for them.  They refused to move a feather or open their mouths.

Cochise continued his search and calling on the ice, along embankments and in the water for at least 15 minutes.

By this time, I felt really bad for him and wondered why his flock mates didn't call out or give some indication where they were?

Fortunately, as about 60% of the lake was covered in ice, Cochise finally spotted his trickster companions hiding out in the tall weeds.

He quickly swam in their direction loudly quacking! 

"What the hell!!  Why did you guys take off on me like that?  You trying to give me a heart attack or something?  That's not funny!!!"

Granted, I wasn't close enough to take a photo or actually see the others ducks' reactions.

But, I would bet my bottom they were having the laugh of the day on an otherwise, cold and challenging night.

A duck's gotta have some fun, no?   Even at a companion's expense, apparently.

But, all was well in the end and "the bad four" were once again together, though with one temporarily bruised ego.

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The Duck Police

During the brief, "spring-like" warm spell early last week, some of the mallards were once again up to their old tricks and "bar room brawls."

Two drake mallards were going head to head with each other, when Connie (one of the two blonde domestic ducks) stormed up to them and pecked each mallard hard in the butt.

"Hey, there is no fighting here!!!  Get your act together! NOW!"

Surprisingly, both drakes appeared to heed the reprimand and took peacefully to the water.

I was quite impressed with Connie's policing and peacemaker skills at the time.

That is, until the other night, when she joined in playing a kind of mean trick on her flock mate, Cochise.

Ah, it is always so much easier to spot the bad behavior in others than ourselves, isn't it?

Apparently, that is as true in the duck world as the human one.   -- PCA

                                                        


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Something to Shoot - Boston Town Rationalizes Golf Course Goose Shoot in Middle of Winter

Migratory geese currently at Central Park Reservoir. These geese will leave to return home later this month.

Among the many disturbing, poorly researched and misleading articles about Canada geese is this one published a few days ago from Boston:

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/cohasset/2013/02/03/cohasset-golf-club-resorts-shooting-loitering-canada-geese/gjDCXKwEqGZxfZOlHZU55M/story.html

I sent an email to the author and asked who was playing golf in the middle of winter that the geese would pose such a problem?

He responded that it had not occurred to him to ask that question.

Nor did it apparently occur to the journalist to inquire what differentiates a "resident" goose from a "migratory" goose and when migratory geese actually migrate?

Many, if not in fact, most Canada geese currently present in the North East can be presumed to be migratory geese who would leave the location with the first signs of spring.

But, those defending the slaughter of migratory geese on a golf course in the beginning of February contend they are all "resident" geese and no one, including so-called reporters questions that.

The article is in fact, filled with misleading propaganda and simply appears as a mouthpiece for killing.

One guesses that if trigger-happy shooters weren't given geese to blow away, they would be holding squirrel or pigeon shoots in this town. 

What would we be in America without something to shoot at? -- PCA

                                                        


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Momentary Blanketing of Season -- Snow and its Gentle Respite for the Ducks and Geese

Geese at Reservoir taking advantage of newly moving water.

Migratory geese at Reservoir, "hunkered down" on ice. Saving energy for migrations later this month?

The unlikely romance.  Romeo watching over Wiggly.

Wiggly and her Romeo.

Mallards under tree on a snowy Harlem Mere last night.

 The whipping cold that gripped the city over the past few days was blanketed last night by a soothing, calming coating of snow.

Everything silent, pretty and white with barely a breeze stirring.

There is perhaps no better time to appreciate the beauty of Central Park than either during or immediately following a snowfall.

Even the waterfowl seemed to take brief respite in the blanket of peace and momentary stillness that surrounded them.  They could breathe once again.

The new and unlikely romance at Harlem Mere between "Romeo," a wild mallard and Wiggly, a flightless, domestic Khaki Campbell duck continues with the love-struck drake following Wiggly around constantly like either a dependent puppy or devoted protector.   For her part, the always independent Wiggly seems to revel in the adoration, but doesn't necessarily return it. 

Wiggly came for her treats last night barely noticing Romeo tagging behind at her feet. Wiggly ate while Romeo mostly stood as protector and admirer.  I don't know that I have ever seen such a "love sick fool" as poor Romeo.  But, for the moment, both ducks seem to be happy and getting along, so if it works, it works.   It is after all, nice for Wiggly to have a new boyfriend.  The fact Romeo can fly and she can't doesn't seem to matter, as Romeo has become like an appendage to her. Wiggly calls the shots and decides where and when to go and what to do.  Romeo might as well not have wings as they are now utterly useless.  

Earlier in the day I walked around the Jackie Onassis Reservoir which this year, has served as a wintering site for several hundred Canada geese, mallards, coots and wood ducks.

Most of the ice that enveloped about 80% of the Reservoir earlier in the week had melted during a brief, two day warm spell.  But the winds quickly returned and remained cutting and temperatures struggled yesterday to get out of the 20's.

While some of the geese took advantage of newly opened waters to swim and search out food sources, most remained hunkered down on ice with their heads tucked back, presumably to conserve warmth.

Migratory geese don't appear to move around very much when finally arriving and wintering at a location.  Rather, they mostly appear to rest, hunker down and wait out the season.  Perhaps migratory geese need to save their calories and energy for the long migratory trips back north as soon as the first hints of spring arrive.

Fact is, that most of the geese currently at the Reservoir, will be packing their wings in just a few weeks for their arduous journeys home. 

But, I am sure even they enjoyed the snow last night -- if for nothing else, a momentary blanketing of season. -- PCA

                                                          


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Love Blooms in the Middle of Winter -- A Valentine's Day Duck Wedding?

Love Blooms on Ice. --  Romeo (far right), a mallard drake next to his lady love, Wiggly, a domestic Khaki Campbell.

That tease of spring that dropped by New York City for a couple of days was gone almost as quickly as it arrived, leaving freezing temperatures and 40 MPH wind chills in its wake.

But, during the brief couple of days "spring" was here, it seemed to stir romantic notions in some of our feathered and furry friends.

The other day, a male raccoon was busy following around and cozying up to a female raccoon along the Reservoir.  It may have been the end of January, but there was little doubt the male raccoon's fancy had already turned to thoughts of love.

But, the biggest romantic surprise was to be found at Harlem Mere!

During the recent Arctic cold blast that enveloped the city for more than a week and iced up most of Central Park's lakes and ponds, I had been surprised to find one mallard drake mysteriously hanging with the six domestic (flightless) ducks at Harlem Mere. (see photo.)

The drake had inexplicably elected to stay behind after all the other mallards left the frozen lake in search of open water.

The behavior at the time seemed odd, considering the domestic ducks were seemingly left stranded on a icy lake in which even a tiny pool of water was about to freeze over.

Was the mallard injured, I wondered?  Was he old or ill?

Nothing about the mallard's appearance seemed abnormal.  I could not figure why a wild mallard would not leave with the rest of his flock and instead, elect to stay with a small flock of domestics struggling to maintain open water.

The one thing I never considered was that the drake was in love.

In love with a duck that is not of his kind.

Who is the recipient of this love-struck mallard's undying devotion?

Apparently, Wiggly!

Perhaps, "Romeo" (the mallard) has been awe struck by Wiggly's leadership skills and ability to work hard and prevent the lake from entirely freezing over.

Or, perhaps it is her loud squawks when calling the other ducks to buckle down and work the water.

Or, maybe it is simply the cute and confident way Wiggly waddles around seemingly in total command and control at Harlem Mere.

Whatever the attraction, Romeo has apparently fallen hard. -- So much so, as to forget all the rules about "birds of a feather flocking together" and instead, taking up with one of different feather and color.

How do I know this?

Because wherever Wiggly is, so is Romeo devotedly by her side.

The two "love ducks" were together the other night swimming as a couple on the water and last night they were together hanging with the 4 domestics near one of the embankments. --  This despite the return of the other Harlem Mere mallards during this week's warm spell.

Romeo refuses to leave Wiggly's side come ice, open water or return of his own kind.

As for Wiggly, she appears to be happy being part of a "couple" again.

Wiggly had previously been partner to Brad, the domestic Rouen duck who sadly perished last September.

Though I thought Wiggly would "stay" with Honker, the other Khacki Campbell duck who Brad also organized and embraced, once Brad died, the two female ducks went their separate ways -- despite being the same breed.  (Honker is currently hanging with the mallards, so perhaps she too will find a boyfriend, eventually.)

I am not sure exactly how long Wiggly and Romeo have actually been an item. The clandestine romance might have been occurring a while before I finally noticed, (after all the other mallards left).

But, even then I didn't attribute Romeo's staying with Wiggly (and the other domestics) to love!

"Interracial love" apparently exists in the animal (or bird) kingdom and apparently love can happen in the middle of winter.

Perhaps the next time I go to visit my duck friends, I need to bring a preacher and prepare for a wedding ceremony?

Who cares that its February and the lake is again freezing over.  

Perhaps a Valentine's Day duck wedding is in order?  -- PCA



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Adaptations -- The Ducks, Geese and Us

Canada goose.  In our zeal to "manage" their numbers through endless predation, do we alter their behavior and create a super adaptable bird?

"Slip, sliding away."  Domestic ducks quickly learn to adapt and navigate challenges of walking on ice.

Return of the Fair Weather Mallards

If one wasn't paying attention to weather reports or noticing temperature changes, one would know conditions are becoming more comfortable and favorable in NYC by the fact most of the mallards have returned to their familiar and regular haunts.

According to Liliana who monitors the Boat Lake in Central Park, many of the regular mallards returned during the past 24 hours and the same occurred at Harlem Mere in Central Park.

There is a reason I call them, "Fair weather mallards." 

When the going gets tough at park ponds and lakes with freezing ice, hurricanes or blizzards, the mallards leave.  As soon as conditions improve, they return.

Mallards (and geese) of course have the power of wing to take them to places more compatible with making it through the challenges of winter or severe storms. (Such as the Reservoir in Central Park.)

On the other hand, domestic ducks abandoned to city parks don't have either option or wing power to leave when conditions quickly go to hell.

They have to make up in smarts and fast adaptability what they lack in wing.

I was not sure that the four domestic ducks abandoned to Harlem Mere this past November would, in fact, be able to make it through a week of sub-freezing temperatures and a lake that literally froze over within 48 hours, quickly converting to a solid block of ice. 

But, as noted previously, one of the two other domestic ducks at the Mere (Wiggly) had survived there last winter and apparently remembered all she had learned and been taught.

Wiggly quickly assumed a leadership position, diligently working a tiny pool of open water without even taking breaks to eat and apparently showed the others what to do and how to survive.

Though initially appearing shocked and disoriented when slipping and sliding on the newly created ice, the four new domestic ducks were expertly navigating the ice like accomplished pro ice skaters within two days.

The "crash course" in learning was accomplished fully and seemingly within hours.

And now that these six domestic ducks who worked so hard to both maintain and create a large pool of open water have succeeded (and temperatures rise) the mallards again return to enjoy the fruits of others hard work.

They, and Hector the swan can now leisurely enjoy the safety and nourishment of the large pool of open water as temperatures (at least for the moment) rise in New York City.

What nature doesn't provide in brawn, she apparently provides in brain and quick adaptability.
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Adaptability -- The Geese and Us

Speaking of "adaptability," it plays not only in the challenges of nature and weather, but also predation -- especially human predation.

In torpedoing various non-lethal methods of goose control in its latest contract with the city of New York, USDA Wildlife Services contends that egg addling causes resident geese to flee the states and nest in the sub-arctic, thus interfering with food supplies of migratory geese.  USDA even claimed some "200,000 resident Canada geese may be spending summer in the sub-arctic."  

Contract between NYC and USDA Canada Geese June 2011 - June 2014

Putting aside the virtual meaningless of the term "may" (I "may" have a mansion in the Bahamas, but the fact is, I don't),  this allegation contradicts almost everything else we know about "resident" geese, including other USDA claims of resident geese rarely moving more than 3 miles from original banding and homing location. 

True, resident geese might move if eggs are destroyed, but (A) isn't that what we supposedly want? and (B), why would they fly thousands of miles away and to a location they have never been?  This claim makes zero sense and appears to be a matter of USDA Wildlife Services throwing crap at the wall to see what sticks.

Nevertheless, If the above allegation is even remotely true, should we not consider that all the hunting, hazing, egg destruction and culling "pressure" we are putting on Canada geese might actually alter normal behavior and create an unusually smart, resilient and adaptable bird? 

The USDA contract further claims resident geese "breed younger than migratory geese." It cites tougher breeding conditions in the arctic responsible for that. 

But, it is more likely resident geese breed younger, simply because they HAVE to in order to "compensate" for all the human predation on them. 

This actually makes more sense in terms of what we know about other wildlife (example: coyotes) who breed more often and produce larger litters in areas they are endlessly hunted and culled.  It is the animals' response to heavy predation.  (As side note, I am not sure if the USDA claim about resident geese breeding younger is even true from what I have personally observed.  If true, it is likely in areas the geese are heavily hunted or culled and thus represents the geese's response and "compensation" to heavy predation.)

To put it mildly, the latest USDA Goose Removal Report and contract with the city of New York is highly disturbing on multiple levels, not the least of which is self-contradiction for the purposes of promoting a kill agenda.

And yet, there is one positive note in these otherwise dismal, misleading and self-promoting documents.

That is, that the contract for goose killings in NYC could be modified or canceled anytime with 90 day notice.

That is something we need to "adapt" our actions to and work to achieve. -- PCA

                                                           


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Canada Geese: Poster Bird for Wildlife Mismanagement and Killing for Convenience

 

Canada goose:  Hapless victim of constant human error and lust to kill.

Thanks to David Karopkin of (27) GooseWatch NYC, we have obtained the goose kill contract between New York City and USDA Wildlife Services that runs through 2014.:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/122350674/Contract-between-NYC-and-USDA-Canada-Geese-June-2011-June-2014

Many interesting things in this document.

In the "background" section for example, it is stated that thousands of live decoy and "semi domesticated" (emphasis supplied) Canada geese were released in the north east, starting in the early 1900's and continuing to the 1980's -- mostly for the benefit of hunters. 

Did it never occur to these biologists and other governmental entities that semi tame birds would have little fear of people and congregate in human populated areas (especially to avoid being hunted)?    Did it never occur to them that birds hatched and raised in the US would have no instinct to "migrate" to Canada or the Arctic?

Now, of course these same biologists and governmental entities say we have "too many" geese.  The goal is to "reduce" an estimated 257,000 geese in NY state to 85,000.

The funding for this mostly comes from Congressional appropriations which in just over a few years has run into hundreds of thousands of tax dollars.   Its costs roughly $230.00 PER GOOSE for these heinous and lethal roundups.

(Show a way for government to blow tax payer money down the drain -- in this case, trying to "correct" past errors -- and for sure, our legislators will vote for and fund it.)

Under "effectiveness," the contract states that the resident goose population in NYC has already been dramatically "reduced."   And yet the plan is to kill even more geese.

And although this contract states WS will not round up "less than 10 geese" in a site within 5 miles of airport, this past summer, USDA rounded up 6 geese from Clearview Park Golf Course:   13-00259 WS Records Review  

Although we cannot be certain, the evidence suggests the roundup of 6 hapless geese at the golf course on June 25th (bending and stretching USDA's own protocols) was conducted for purposes of sheer convenience.

On the exact same day (6-25-12), USDA rounded up 88 geese from nearby College Point Old Flushing Airport.  

Since the golf course was only five minutes away, USDA (and others) obviously decided to "kill 94 birds with one stone," so to speak.

The six pitiful geese at Clearview Park Golf Course represented absolutely zero "threat" to anyone or anything.  They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Their lives valued at less than zero (as all the other geese wrongfully destroyed over these past few years to try and undo a mistake.) 

Although USDA WS takes great pains to explain and document their claims and justifications for wildlife destruction, they cannot equate the roundup of six geese in a park with any kind of respect for anything -- even their own rules, statements and determinations.  The destruction of six geese from Clearview Park Golf Course this past summer, was in fact, "overkill" and a killing for convenience.

It seems strange that we would look to the same "experts" who were largely responsible for creating the so-called goose "overpopulation" problem in the first place for any "solutions" to it.

Just as government entities, hunters and so-called, biologists were wrong in nearly hunting Canada geese to extinction in the last century, they were also wrong in  "stocking" the north east with thousands of semi-domesticated birds who bore little behavior resemblance to their wild migrating cousins.

They are also wrong now in targeting for destruction these same geese who are nothing more than the offspring of what they created and planted for purposes of saving the species in the first place.

One screw-up should not justify and create room for more.  You make a mistake, learn to live with and adjust to it.

The tragic irony to all this is that none of the, "killing, repopulation, stocking and killing" cycle would have occurred in the first place had we simply created and nurtured tolerance, peace and understanding of wildlife (instead of regarding Canada geese and other wildlife as nothing more than targets for hunters' guns and arrows).

Perhaps no animal is more symbolic of almost constant wildlife mismanagement and overkill  than are Canada geese.

One suspects that were we finally to leave these highly intelligent and innocent birds alone, they would eventually regulate their own population to what the environment can support.

We as a species need to learn that sometimes less is more in terms of our interference and attempts to "manage" wildlife.

The geese and other animals had it figured out long before humans ever came upon the scene. -- PCA

  

                                                              

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When the Going Gets Tough, One "Scatterbrain" Duck Emerges as Leader

Wiggly, the once "scatterbrain" Khacki Campbell domestic duck, now a bonified leader.

Working together, the ducks expanded the open pool of water, despite frigid temperatures.

Time to fuel up and take short break.

Wiggly remaining dutifully in water, while others eat.

Hector the swan, taking it easy while the others work.

"The coldest week in New York City since 1996."

Its nearly a week since temperatures in New York City plummeted to the low teens and virtually all of Central Park lakes and ponds froze over.

When last I left the six domestic ducks and one mallard at an iced over Harlem Mere on Thursday morning, they were reduced to confinement on a tiny pool of shrinking water not more than 5 or 6 feet in diameter.

I was convinced that the rapidly vanishing pool would not remain liquid through the night.

But, never discount the sheer determination of waterfowl when the going gets tough and the chips are down. 

Apparently, the "tough get going" and the chips fall where they will.

Wiggly, the one duck who survived last winter at the Mere and who I have long deemed a kind of "scatterbrain" apparently recognized the quandary all six ducks were in and remembered well the lessons she had been taught by her mentor, Brad (now deceased).

I am not exactly sure how Wiggly did it (other than showing by example), but somehow, she and the other six ducks managed, not only to maintain the tiny pool of water, but actually expand it! 

I fully expected yesterday to find all six ducks stranded on a frozen block of ice.

But, instead, they were all cheerfully and energetically swimming on a pool of water that was at least 20 feet in diameter!

How in the world? I thought when remembering the temperature the night before had plunged to 12 degrees, causing running water fountains in New York City to actually freeze.  It seemed impossible that with everything else in the city freezing over, this one pool of water would not only remain, but actually expand!  

The rest of the lake at Harlem Mere was so frozen solid, that one man foolishly ran across the ice, bouncing a basketball on it!

And yet, there were the ducks swimming in the pool, like it was a glorious spring day. I truly could not believe my eyes -- though was grateful for what I was seeing.

Similar to the previous day, the other ducks left the water to come and grab treats that I tossed on ice, while Wiggly remained determinedly swimming in the water.

The domestic ducks were much more confident and adept at "skating" on the ice than the previous day and even sauntered up to the embankment.

After about ten minutes, Wiggly, finally decided to take a short break and leave the grueling task at hand.   She left the water and walked a few steps on the ice to quickly scoop up some cracked corn.

But, after no more than a few mouth fulls, Wiggly let out a loud honk to the others and then dutifully returned to the water.

"It's time to get back to business, guys!  Now!!"

And like good soldiers just given marching orders, the other ducks slowly returned and joined Wiggly "working" the pool.

Though they are only six, the domestic ducks received additional help from one mallard, one coot and even some passing sea gulls yesterday.

The one bird they seemingly did not get any help from was Hector, the swan, who yesterday, casually sauntered around on grass begging treats from passersby.

Hector is apparently still unwilling to "lower dignity" for the sake of maintaining open water with the lowly ducks. If the pool freezes over, so be it.  He has other options.

Perhaps it shouldn't have been so shocking yesterday that the domestic, flightless ducks were able to maintain and actually create open water -- especially with the sheer determination and apparent "leadership" of the duck I once thought of as a total flake.

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

And though she may at other times be a "scatterbrain," when the chips are down, Wiggly steps up to the ice and becomes a bonified leader.

"Brad's legacy," one might say.

Wiggly was taught well last winter.  -- PCA

                                                           



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