Wild Spirits in Night Flights -- Our Glorious Canada Geese!

Migratory Canada geese at Harlem Mere.  Hector, the resident swan checking them out.

As winter prepares a last gasp snow storm for NYC today, the geese are on the move!

One could describe Tuesday night as the "calm before the storm."   There was no wind in New York City and the temperature was a balmy 40 degrees.

But, if the weather was temporarily calm, the evening was anything but quiet.

Apparently, the timing and circumstances were perfect for night flights.

Loud choruses of honks emanated from the Central Park Reservoir.

Scores of migratory Canada geese gathered and aligned themselves in the water and gradually took off for northern skies in perfectly organized "V" waves.  

I stood completely mesmerized as one skein after the other flapped their glorious wings and took flight like carefully timed planes leaving a runway.

By the time the departure ritual ended, there were but a few geese remaining in the water where only a few days ago, there had been nearly two hundred.

The family of 7 geese swam almost motionless towards the middle of the Reservoir -- an indication to me that they were likely new arrivals from somewhere south and were seeking rest for the evening. 

But, the skies overhead were nearly electric with the excited honks of other geese passing over the park in a  northern direction.   While I could not see most of them, the enthusiasm and energy from their encouraging honks to those in the front of the "V's" literally made my heart soar in my chest.

As I passed the North Meadow on my way to Harlem Mere, I was fortunate to see one skein of about 25 geese descend from the skies and skillfully land in the middle of lawn.  They had apparently decided to take rest and some nourishment before continuing on their arduous journey.

"Look at all the beautiful geesies!" I murmured to my two dogs, smiling from ear to ear.

There is nothing quite so thrilling as hearing and seeing gaggles of geese float down from the skies and touch down on grassy lawns like graceful ballerinas.

Wow.......

Apparently, some migratory geese have also taken brief refuge at Harlem Mere as well as other parts of Central Park.

As noted in past years, it is common for migratory geese to stop, rest and briefly "fuel up" for one to several days in Central Park before moving on to Canada or the sub arctic.

Currently at Harlem Mere, there are about 25 geese -- though not all are migratory.

There are two families of very social geese who I am sure are resident geese.  They don't mix with the migratory geese and are very comfortable walking up to people and claiming much of the Mere.  I suspect these are the resident geese who have bounced around Harlem Mere for much of the winter. The migratory geese, on the other hand, mostly stay on the eastern part of the lake and are generally shy and wary.

I doubt the migratory geese will be around more than another week.

As this article, photos and video describes about snow geese currently migrating through Missouri, the same is true of Canada geese currently migrating through New York City:

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/why-are-thousands-snow-geese-st-charles-and-lincoln-counties-year

I have personally never seen a snow goose in Central Park. (I guess they don't come this far east or perhaps they shy away from big cities.)

But, the sheer thrill of seeing and hearing the Canada geese as they navigate their perilous journeys every year is something I could never get tired of.

It makes these times among the most beautiful and exciting of the entire year (along with the times wintering geese arrive from the north -- usually in December or early January.)

As I stood on the Reservoir Tuesday night I marveled as a skein of about ten geese excitedly lifted off from the water and flew directly over my head.

That close, their honks were almost deafening.

The perfect V with one goose in the front, two directly behind, then three and then four was like a series of little airliners with huge wings flapping in the still night air.

I looked up and longingly said, "Where are you going, beautiful ones?"

"Can I join you?" 

But, the excited geese neither looked down nor answered.

They simply embarked on their long journey and eventually disappeared out of sight. 

The geese answer to no one other than their own wild spirits.  

And that is what I most love and will forever admire about them.  -- PCA

                                                       


                                         **********

        

"Control" of Nature and Geese a Delusion?

Who knows better their "optimum population?" The geese or us?

 Admittedly, I was never a math wiz in school.

Perhaps that explains why I have trouble figuring out the math of the Department of the Interior, the USDA and other wildlife agencies.

But, according to these agencies, New York State has an estimated 250,000 Canada geese and the "optimum" number is 85,000.

That means 170,000 geese are slated to be killed one way or the other:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/23/state-plans-to-eliminate-170000-canada-geese/

This is the justification behind most of the expanded hunting of Canada geese in recent years as well as USDA goose culls.

But, is 250,000 Canada geese in New York State really "too many?"

I live on the Upper East Side in Manhattan.  I would wager we probably have 250,000 people in just my neighborhood.

There are 12 million humans in New York State.  Each one of us is at least 3 times the size of a Canada goose.

So how and why are 250,000 geese in a state the size of New York considered "too many?"

If we don't consider 12 million humans in the state too many, how can we possibly say this about a bird that lives mostly in water and eats low on the food chain?

Moreover, who determines what an "optimum number" is for any species and how exactly do we get to and control it?

It reminds me of a quote once read:  "The more we control, the more we have to control."

As previously noted in this blog, Canada geese were almost hunted to extinction in the last century.

But, realizing they were on the verge of losing a favorite shooting target, hunting clubs and wildlife biologists worked feverishly to prevent actual extinction and "restore" the Canada goose population through captive breeding programs and release of thousands of birds, particularly in the north east.

Apparently, the program was so "successful" that some 30 years later, we are whining that we now have "too many" Canada geese and in New York State we need to wipe out 2/3rds of them.

But, what happens if the eradication program is as "successful" as the program to restore Canada geese?

Will Canada geese eventually go the way of the passenger pigeon?

Or, will they become the bird equivalent of the forever "wily coyote" cleverly figuring out ways to compensate for all of man's predations?

So far, it appears more similar to the latter than the former, but in nature, anything can change depending on mostly unpredictable climate, biological and environmental factors.

It seems very difficult, if not impossible for humans alone to create or maintain an "optimum" population of any wild species.

It appears we may be deluding ourselves with thoughts and goals of such.

Wild animal species such as elephants, rhinos, tigers, polar bears and thousands of others are being poached to near extinction or losing their numbers due to habitat loss and other climate and environmental factors.

Other animal species are able to adapt to and in some cases, thrive despite human predation, habitat loss and environmental changes.

Canada geese, for the moment, may be among them.

But, the "for the moment" is important to consider for (as noted), anything can change.

Most animal species are (under normal circumstances) fairly adept at self-regulating their populations to correlate to their environment's abilities to support them.

Those animal species with few natural predators, breed less often and have fewer offspring, whereas most "prey" species reproduce more to compensate for losses and/or early deaths.

Would not Canada geese do the same?  They are, after all, intelligent animals who are not hell bent upon self destruction through overpopulation.

Wildlife managers and hunters often make the argument that since we have nearly wiped out most natural predators of Canada geese (such as foxes, eagles and coyotes) in residential areas, goose numbers need to be "controlled" through hunts or culling programs.

But, foxes, eagles or coyotes would never annihilate ALL the geese in an individual location or 2/3rds of the geese in a state.

From what I have seen and read, most predators rarely have an easy time catching their prey. Its hard work in most cases and they are lucky to capture an old, sick, injured, slow or very young animal.

But, when USDA "Wildlife Services" goes into a residential park or golf course, they capture EVERY goose they can get -- and that is usually all when the geese are molting and incapable of escape.

There is nothing like that which exists in the natural world.

I don't know what all this obsession with "optimum numbers" and human "management control" of Canada geese will ultimately result in.

So far, it has neither been "optimum" (whatever that is) or ideal.

In less than a century we have gone from near extinction of Canada geese to what is now deemed "overpopulation" and seemingly fanatical, barbaric and unnatural means to "reduce" goose numbers.

But, one thing seems certain:

"The more we control, the more we have to control."

Yes, perhaps control really is a delusion.  -- Particularly, control of nature.

Perhaps we should just let the geese "control" their own population as we have decided that most humans should regulate their reproduction.

Most intelligent individuals (whether animal or human) know whether to breed or not and when.

Indeed, it is probably one of the few things that most humans and animals are truly in control of. -- PCA

                                                               



                                 ***********

Forebodings of Spring

Hector, the swan at Harlem Meer. Strong and healthy after thriving through the winter.

Connie, Carol, Conner and Cochise.  These four domestic ducks flourished over the winter.  But, are they prepared for the real challenges of spring and summer?

The days are getting longer now.  The ice on lakes has melted and new buds on trees remind us that in a few weeks, the parks will be in wild bloom.

But, in these first few days in March, temperatures struggle to get out of the 30's and there is still need for gloves and scarves if staying out for any period of time.  Last night there were some brief snow flurries in New York City, but by the morning, there was no trace that they had ever been here.

As the saying goes, "March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb."

Or, does it?

The gaggles of migratory geese who had been "fueling up" in recent evenings at the North Meadow in Central Park have apparently departed on their long journeys north.  This past week, the northern most lawn at Central Park has been silent and empty, seemingly returning to its normal winter hibernation.

But, new migratory geese have been arriving from the south and staying briefly either at the Reservoir in Central Park or the Boat Lake.

Fellow bird lover, Lianna reported earlier in the week that 20 geese landed in the Boat Lake and stayed for a couple of days.  

She was very distressed however, about one goose with a missing foot.

"He hobble around on a stick! So sad to see!" Lianna lamented in her Romanian accent.

It is speculated that the goose most likely lost his/her foot to fishing line.  While its possible such could be genetic deformity, its unlikely a gosling with a missing foot would have survived.  Nor is such drastic injury usually derived from nature or other wildlife.

However, we know from the rescue of Oliver (a mallard drake) a few months ago that fishing line, when entangled around a leg will, over time cut into that leg, stop circulation and eventually break bone.  Had the fishing line not been cut and removed from Oliver, (just before severing bone) he too would likely be hobbling around on a stump now.

Unfortunately, the one footed goose did not stick around long enough at the Boat Lake for us to be able to offer any aid -- though it was way too late for such anyway as the damage was already done.

People may complain during the winter of the cold, the darkness, the winds and the storms.

But, from personal observances, the challenges of winter bare nothing to wildlife compared to the sheer ravages of spring and summer.

I look at Hector, the swan at Harlem Meer and the four domestic ducks who were unceremoniously dumped at the Meer last November and they have ironically all thrived over the winter!  

These birds have not just survived a hurricane, a blizzard, several Nor'Easters, a frozen lake and Arctic winds, they have in fact, emerged from them victorious and looking far better than when first appearing at the Meer.

When Hector first flew into the Meer last fall, he was nearly black from filth, skinny and so lame on one foot, he could barely walk a few steps before having to sit down.  At the time, I thought Hector to be an "old" swan, his appearance was so disheveled and seemingly frail.

Several months later, Hector is no longer lame, thin or dirty. He is as white as freshly fallen snow and robust as one might expect from a fairly young adult swan.

The same is true of "Cochise, Conner, Connie and Carol," the four flightless, domestic ducks left at the Meer just prior to winter.  Dirty, skinny and scared at the time, all four ducks now are spotlessly clean and the pictures of robust health.

What does all this say?

It says to me a few things:

1 -- First, that animals, both wild and domestic, are very capable of dealing with whatever harshness or challenges winter has to dish out.

2-  Secondly, it says that no matter how much waterfowl is present on water, the water remains clean and unpolluted.   The fact is, waterfowl and water go hand in hand.  Those who blame geese (or any other waterfowl) for "fouling" up water don't seem to have the first understanding of nature or ecology.   Geese, ducks and other waterfowl consume bugs and other organisms in the water and aid in containing algae.  Where water pollution occurs, it is usually due to sewage and storm runoffs, garbage and debris, pollution from boats and other factors.  But, waterfowl?   Hardly.  That is like saying fish pollute oceans or bison pollute grass.

3-- Finally, it says that human feeders are not responsible for either birds "overstaying their welcome" or damage to ecology or wildlife.  As noted, geese and ducks move and/or migrate according to the time of year and ecological conditions. For those birds who don't move, that is usually due to physical condition, such as (in the case of domestic ducks), being unable to fly.  

Despite forbidding rules, many people fed Hector the swan at Harlem Mere over these past few months, in addition to some of the ducks.  And both Hector and the domestic ducks look all the better for it.   My personal feeling is that Hector and the ducks probably would have survived without human feeding. But, nutritional support seems to have aided them in becoming and staying strong and healthy over the past three months -- and the waterfowl certainly appreciated it. The fact is, these birds look far better now than when first dumped or arriving to the Meer prior to winter.

Nevertheless, spring is on the way.

In a few weeks, the fishermen will return to Harlem Meer (and other parts of the park), as well as a barrage of other human activity.

That will mean increased garbage, such as plastic bottles, bags and carelessly discarded fishing lines, hooks and use of lead.

"Pollution?" "Ecological and wildlife damage?"

Definitely a thing that seems to occur and correlate with the heavy human activities of spring and summer rather than the so-called, "harshness" of winter.

The question is, will the four domestic ducks abandoned to the Meer last November be prepared for it?   Will Hector, the swan stick around?

Already, some of the mallards appear to be leaving Harlem Meer as if sensing the changes soon to come.   But, the domestic ducks can't leave.

Reality could be that they ain't seen nothing yet.

Putting aside weather factors, it could more accurately be said that "March comes in like a lamb and leaves like a lion."

Domestic ducks, watch out.  The real "fun" starts in a few short weeks.  -- PCA

                                                    


                                   **********

The Heaven and Hell of Wildlife Management

Canada goose, Harlem Meer, Central Park.

 

Following up on the proposed USDA roundup and slaughter of Canada geese in Marmaroneck, Long Island, there is this article today from the Patch:

http://larchmont.patch.com/articles/mamaroneck-geese-on-death-row?fb_action_ids=4825377235956&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%224825377235956%22%3A456067724462919%7D&action_type_map=%7B%224825377235956%22%3A%22og.recommends%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

Much as many people mistakenly claim otherwise, Canada geese are in fact native to North America.

Geese were present in this country before the pilgrims landed. Unfortunately, the particular breed was extirpated soon after the white man arrived.

Canada geese were also nearly hunted to extinction in the last century. However, fearing they might lose a favorite target, various hunting clubs and wildlife biologists in the US captively captured, bred and released thousands of Canada geese on the east coast.

The real story of Canada geese is a very ugly and classic case of "Wildlife Mismanagement." -- Kill them to actual or near extinction and then artificially repopulate.

And now, the powers that be whine again.

However, there are things to consider:

All the hunting and "culling" of Canada geese appears to be creating a much smarter, more adaptable and resilient bird similar to coyotes in mammals.

Some animals (like coyotes) compensate for predation by producing larger litters, more often and at younger ages.

In this respect, both geese and coyotes seem similar to humans as witness a "baby boom" following the carnage of WW2 or the fact human birth rates are higher in countries impoverished by war and famine where most babies die young.

We can keep killing geese (like coyotes) but it only seems to create a much smarter, determined and prolific bird.

If we really are so "repulsed" by geese, then it seems prudent to change the habitat to something geese would not welcome. --- Such as landscape barriers to obstruct their views of possible predators.

But, killing only creates more and smarter geese -- unless we design to wipe out the species entirely which was almost done in the last century before the geese "wised up" to human predation.

News flash: There is no such thing as "Utopia."

If ever there comes a day when human civilization ends, we will realize that if we failed in creating a heaven on earth for humans, we succeeded in creating a living hell for animals. -- PCA



                                        *********

Language and Migratory Preparation of the Geese

Migratory Canada geese in Central Park Reservoir by day. Preparing for migratory flight.

More about Dolphins calling each other by name, as well as information on Whales and Condors :

http://www.care2.com/causes/dolphins-have-their-own-names-for-each-other.html

It is interesting that scientists are "reluctant to use the L word" to refer to language that dolphins and other animals use to communicate with each other.   What else might it be called?

Last night, while walking past the North Meadow in Central Park, at least 100 migratory Canada geese were grazing on the lawn.

The geese towards the back of the line loudly honked a message to the geese at the front to which those geese immediately replied back.

Because people rarely walk in that part of the park at night, I am guessing the message was, "Heads up -- human and dogs in area!"  

All the geese momentarily looked up, but then apparently determined I and my dogs were not a threat.  There was some further light honking and then the geese casually returned to grazing.

How did the geese arrive at the decision I was not a threat?

I am not exactly sure.  It could be however, that since I have passed by this area for the past week or so, the geese now recognized my dogs and me.   The first night they actually backed off cautiously a short distance.  Last night, they didn't.

To me, this goes to the geeses' ability to both, quickly learn and recognize, as well as to communicate that information to other geese.

As noted previously, migratory geese (unlike resident geese long acclimated to local activities and people) are generally very cautious and wary around human activity.  My guess is this is why migratory geese usually choose the Central Park Reservoir to winter. It is very safe and protected from both dogs and human activity (in addition to being the last watercourse in Central Park to ice over in frigid weather).

However, there is little edible grass around the Reservoir.

While geese appear quite capable of temporarily living off fat reserves in winter and going stretches of time with little food, one supposes the geese need to "fuel up" before taking up again, the stresses of a long migration.

That likely explains the evening "pond hops" over the past week or two to the North Meadow.

There is virtually no dog or human activity in this area of the park at night. It is safe, quiet and there is still plenty of grass.  (Apparently, the geese however, return to the "safer" Reservoir by daybreak.)

I have noticed over the past week that the flock of grazing geese on the North Meadow at night has grown to include virtually all of those at the Reservoir during the day.

Moreover, they seem to stretch out in a long line the approximate length of a city block.

This appears to me to be preparation for eventual take off for migration.

The geese are usually facing north and seem to be comprised of different, organized groups or families.  There is generally active communication among them.

I don't know, but am guessing that when the geese finally take off for the northern reaches of Canada or the sub arctic, they will leave from the North Meadow and probably at night.  They will take off in "waves" very much the same way they arrived to the Reservoir in the early days and nights of January.

And though the frigid weather and blistering winds of the past week in New York City might not have been conducive to taking off for spring migrations, that time should be arriving shortly.

Already the trees and plants are beginning to show new buds and bulbs. Temperatures and recent storms may not have demonstrated it, but spring is slowly, but surely on the way.  

So yes, a lot of movement, activity and "fueling up" among the migratory geese these days.

And a lot of honking and "discussion."

Whether those communications be to warn of changes or possible "threats" in the area or to discuss the plans for actual migrations and when, may not be within our human grasps to understand at the moment. 

But, for sure, they are "language." 

I personally have no reluctance in calling them such. -- PCA

                                                      


                                     **************

Of Crows and Geese

 

Canada goose -- Like crows, sociable, interactive, loyal, cognizant, aware and adaptable to and recognizing of humans.

As one who watches many animal and nature documentaries, I was completely awed by "A Murder of Crows" shown last night on PBS.  ("Murder" is apparently the correct term for a flock of crows.)

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/a-murder-of-crows/full-episode/5977/

Described as "among the most intelligent animals in the world," crows mate for life, possess complex social communication skills, mourn the losses of offspring and flock mates, are adaptable to humans, pass along information learned to offspring and even use tools.

With the exception of usage of tools, crows appear remarkably similar to Canada geese in terms of cognizant behavior, communication skills and complex social orders.

Unfortunately, it seems the more similar to and adaptable to humans, the more humans are likely to resent and even seek to slaughter such "intelligent" species.  Both crows and Canada geese have become relentless targets of human hate, propaganda and campaigns of destruction.

http://www.change.org/petitions/mamaroneck-mayor-norm-rosenblum-don-t-kill-mamaroneck-s-geese   (Please sign petition.)

While I was aware that crows are intelligent (as are most birds), I had no idea exactly to what extent.  I have only had opportunity to see two crows in Central Park and that was a few years ago.   I have not been able to witness them first hand, as I do geese and ducks.

But, the real difference between crows and geese is that we have at least one very thorough scientific study of the behavior, intelligence and communications skills of crows, whereas we don't (to my knowledge) of Canada geese.

There have of course, been wonderful documentaries following the migration patterns and flights of Canada geese (and other migratory birds), but not particularly focused on intelligence, communication skills, learning and memory.

I believe such is sorely needed -- particularly in these days of expanded hunting of Canada geese and government (USDA) extermination campaigns against them.

Would scientific, research documentaries on geese make a difference?

Unfortunately, considering the continuing slaughter (by humans) of elephants, dolphins and gorillas -- animals whose intelligence and similarities to humans have been well documented -- probably not.  

But, they might help to better educate the rest of us -- and that is the beginning and process of eventual and positive change. --  PCA 

                           

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

Animal Communications -- Like Dolphins, Like Geese, Like Humans

A pair of Canada geese with heads and necks tucked low to brace against punishing winds yesterday at Central Park Reservoir.

"Dolphins May Call Each Other by Name"

(This fascinating story was also covered last night on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer.)

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/02/dolphin-names/

Thanks to field research by scientists, we now know that elephants, apes and dolphins communicate with each other in far more complex language than was ever thought.

We should not be surprised that they have special language identifications for each other, as humans do names.

But, this is not just true of these specific animals.

When landing after a long migration, Canada geese "call out" to each other in something that sounds like a roll call in a school classroom.  The honks are different in tone and length and occur among groups of geese. 

There is little doubt that Canada geese have distinctive names (or language identifications) for each other.  Its how they stay organized and together when flying, wintering or grazing with many other geese.

We are only scratching the bare surface of animal communications.

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

The "Arctic Cold Blast" that forecasters warned about last week came to pass in New York City.

Although less than a month away from spring, one would never know it by the sub freezing temperatures and whipping, punishing winds of the past week.

Fortunately, the bitter cold spell was punctuated by one extremely warm day last Saturday when temps ballooned up to the mid 50's.

This was enough to melt much of the frozen ice water, both at Harlem Meer and the Central Park Reservoir.

Nevertheless, the next day temps dropped more than 30 degrees and wind chills plunged to zero.

I was nervous that such sub freezing temperatures might ice over again, the entire lake at the Meer.

But, such fear turned out to be unfounded as it seems the blustery, (at times, 45MPH) winds kept the water constantly moving and thus, incapable of icing over.

But, it has not been an easy week for the ducks and geese of Central Park despite the stll mostly open, moving water.

I have read that geese and mallards can survive temperatures as low as zero and even lower.

That is probably true, but they have to make many adjustments in order to deal with that kind of relentless frigidity and wind:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.428465497231531.107536.114425621968855&type=1  (Photos from last few days.)

One of those adjustments is keeping their heads and necks low and tightly tucked at times, into their bodies.  Apparently this helps geese and ducks to brace the harshest of winds and conserve body heat, much as humans holding their arms close to the body when cold.  

Another adjustment is squatting down on breasts and bellies when on frigid ground (also, presumably a way to conserve body heat). 

However, during the coldest of weather, the geese and ducks mostly stay in the water as apparently even partially iced over lakes are warmer than frozen ground.  

I am not sure about ducks (who seems to have a faster metabolism than geese), but it appears that Canada geese are able to sometimes go days or weeks on very little food.  Perhaps this explains why they eat and graze so much during the summer and fall. 

Its apparently necessary to build up fat reserves to help get geese through the winter.

During this winter, I have frequently observed the migratory geese staying at the Reservoir in Central Park.   Most times, the geese are "hunkered down" with heads tucked into their backs on the ridge that goes across the Reservoir or on ice. 

They did not seem to move around very much, particularly during the depth of the winter.

In the past couple of weeks however, there has been a great deal of movement -- and communication -- by the geese.

Some geese left on what apparently is early migration.  Other geese arrived. And still others are "pond hopping" around the park and even grazing on some of the lawns, (including, Harlem Meer) most likely in preparation for a long and physically taxing migration.

It is in fact, quite interesting to observe geese just prior to them taking off for an evening graze or migration. 

Last night, just following sunset, many gaggles of geese slowly gathered themselves along the north east portion of the Reservoir.  There was a great deal of honking and "talking" as the geese carefully organized themselves into their established groups or families. 

It was too bitter and windy for me to hang around long enough to actually see them take off. (This gathering is actually a time consuming process.) Nor, could I know if all the discussion and organization was in preparation for long migratory flight to Canada or the sub arctic or just a hop flight over to the North Meadow or even Harlem Meer.

One thing is for sure, however.

The honks of geese are not just idle, random noises in the wind.

They are real language, identification and communication that enables the geese -- like dolphins -- to organize and stay together whether on land, water or in the air.

We have barely begun to scratch the surface of animal communications.  -- PCA

                                                             


                                *********