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Death and "Sport" in Central Park (1 Viewer)

Pinewood

New York correspondent
United States
This morning, I started my walk through Central Park before nine AM. I surveyed the Lake from atop Cherry Hill and spotted our great egret, across the Lake, near the Ladies' Pavillion. I then descended the eight feet to the south shore of the Lake, where I spotted a dead mallard.

I then went looking for some Park authority to report the fact. I imagine that all dead birds are autopsied, in case of West Nile, or if there may have been a crime. Two years, ago, two swans were found dead, apparently attacked by dogs. Speaking with a Park employee, I was told that at night, some people let their dogs go hunting in the Lake, thinking it good sport!

In fact dogs are never supposed to be unleashed in the Park , but there is a breed of people in this City, some may be recent arrivals in town, who do arrogantly believe that the Park is their private playground to indulge all their whims.

Within fifteen minutes, the mallard had been retrieved from the shallows, bagged and I presume sent for examination. I do not think I will ever find out the cause of the mallard's death.

I hope that your birding day was better,
Arthur Pinewood
 
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A sad find, Arthur. Even more so when there's a possibility that "humans" may have been responsible. Over here Central Park has a bit of a reputation of being a place where all and every whim is indulged, but the birding is said to be great.
 
Bluetail said:
A sad find, Arthur. Even more so when there's a possibility that "humans" may have been responsible. Over here Central Park has a bit of a reputation of being a place where all and every whim is indulged, but the birding is said to be great.

Dear Jason,

The Central Park police precinct has the lowest crime rate of any precinct in the city. Of course, there are no official human residents. Yes, it has very good birding as it is on the migratory pathways and it has varied habitats.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood
 
I have always fancied the idea of a cheap last minute flight to New York to go birding in central Park. I have the fanciful idea that it is chocker with fantastic birds but you need to make sure you get out before dark. Am I mad?
 
Andrew. Yes you are. Take a longer trip and do the States properly!!! But do it in spring when the warblers look their best. You'll be gobsmacked, I promise.
 
Bluetail said:
Andrew. Yes you are. Take a longer trip and do the States properly!!! But do it in spring when the warblers look their best. You'll be gobsmacked, I promise.
Very tempting!
 
a natural death

Today, a park worker informed that the bird was a Canada goose, which was "unscathed." So unlike the swans, this bird probably died of natural causes.

Happy birding,
Arthur Pinewood
 
My wife and I have been to New York City several times. We are a little uncomfortable visiting the big city. We are "Midwesterners" being from Missouri. I get the feeling that a lot of the people in the east think that "out here in the west" we still have stage coaches and wild Indians. (Not true!) We are a lot more "laid back" here where we live and have a lot more open spaces. We have gone to Central Park a couple of times, but there are so many people, doing so many different things that it was a little distracting to me. Londoners and others used to the "big city" ambiance would probably be more comfortable going to Central Park than we were.
 
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Larry Lade said:
My wife and I have been to New York City several times. We are a little uncomfortable visiting the big city. We are "Midwesterners" being from Missouri. I get the feeling that a lot of the people in the east think that "out here in the west" we still have stage coaches and wild Indians. (Not true!) We are a lot more "laid back" here where we live and have a lot more open spaces. We have gone to Central Park a couple of times, but there are so many people, doing so many different things that it was a little distracting to me. Londoners and others used to the "big city" ambiance would probably be more comfortable going to Central Park and we were.

Dear Larry,

First of all, happy birthday.

I did not mention that there are homeless in the Park and there are people with mental and social problems. I live in a big city with all sorts of people with whom I have to share the Park. Then again, most people would not accept living in an apartment house.

Happy birding,
Arthur Pinewood
 
Arthur, thanks for the birthday greeting.

I did not really want to "paint too gloomy a picture" of Central Park. I guess that I am just not used to that kind of environment. To much "hustle and bustle". Also the first time we went there (my wife and I and our three small children) a couple of suspicious looking guys began to follow us. I had visions of getting "mugged". I had my family move on ahead and I began to drop back, putting some distance between these two guys and the family. We eventually came to a place where there were more people and the two fellows stopped following us. I was relieved but a little stressed. It was not just me that noticed that we were being followed because my wife had the same feeling. We came out of the park unharmed but the episode had made us both quite nervous. Also having watched the movie "The Out-of-towners" probably did not help the situation either! I am sure that one can probably do some good birding in Central Park but I do think I would like to do it in the security of a group of birders rather than as an individual. I hope that you see some "good" birds whether it be in the park or elsewhere.

 
Larry Lade said:
Arthur, thanks for the birthday greeting.

To much "hustle and bustle".

My dear Larry,

I generally visit the Park, on Sundays, before 10 AM, when it is reasonably quiet. At the moment, I can visit on weekdays, by 9 AM, when there are numerous folk using the Park as they walk to work. Generally, it is quiet. Sundays, I often encounter loan bird watchers and even escorted groups. I meet far more tourists, looking for Strawberry Fields or even for Pale Male, than suspicious looking men.

This morning, I saw an egret, mallards, a cormorant, juvenile and mature starlings, an American robin and a bird I have yet to identify. It was about the size of a blue jay, with a black crest, white below the eyes and moving fast, among the trees. The water was so still, it was disturbed only by insects alighting, fish bubbling and the turtles swimming. The most untoward sighting was of a fisherman who kept a perch. Fishing and returning to the water is permitted, not keeping.

Is it possible that your visit was many years, ago? The Park and the City are rather more peaceful than two decades, ago. There are probably a lot more bird watchers, now.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood
 
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Pinewood said:
a bird I have yet to identify. It was about the size of a blue jay, with a black crest, white below the eyes and moving fast, among the trees.
Sounds odd. Red-whiskered Bulbul??? Not sure there are any in New York though; think in the USA they're mainly in the Kendall sector of Dade County, Florida, with some more in Los Angeles.
 
I recommend a trip to Central Park. My first Black and White Warbler against a high rise backdrop always enheartens me when reminiscing.
 
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