Very peaceful in the park today. Overcast sky, on the verge of rain. We could see the entire swan family across the lake, gliding along in one perfect line, around the Peninsula, up the Lullwater, to the Boathouse. Other than that, the lake seems very quiet and empty. Hardly any people or dogs, probably because the weather is almost inclement. I really miss the geese.
Big machines cleaning up assorted tree detritus on by the road near Peninsula. They were taking away rubble and adding topsoil, presumably for future plantings. I was surprised not to see small boys and their care-takers.
So then Tony (head of FIDO) arrived at Peninsula meadow with one of his dogs, Fanny. Poor Jupiter, his other dog, bumped into his stove and got scalded by boiling water. He's at the vet and will hopefully be okay.
Anyway, we were talking, and it turns out there is not peace in the park these days. Seems the birders are upset with the FIDO people because of the Park department's recent decision to allow more off-leash times/places. This sounds too complicated. Let me start again: According to Tony, the Parks Dept. is going to make more off-leash times or places (I'm not sure) as a geese-prevention measure. This is one of the things that Seattle did to make the geese unwelcome and stop their population explosion. This was not FIDO's doing. And in fact, it hasn't actually happened yet. One wonders if it ever will, what with the Parks Dept.'s reputation for reliability and all (not good). The birders do not like this idea, feeling that the off-leash dogs scare away the birds. The little area near the Peninsula, right by the new Barbecue Plaza, is a VERY popular area for bird-watching. It's right by the woods of Lookout Hill, dense and full of birds. Anyway, we'll see what happens.
Good gosh...birders against the doggy set! That does sound like it will turn out well at all. Please keep us up on how things unfold concerning FIDO and those birders.
ReplyDeleteI have two dogs. One of my dogs has natural herding instincts and it has been a bit of a job over the years to teach her that she is NEVER to chase or harass birds. But, she has gotten the message. Now, when I stop to observe birds or photograph them, both of my dogs sit quietly until I am finished. It is up to the dog owners to control their dogs and not allow them to chase and harass birds. Its disgusting that Prospect Park has come up with this "idea" to further torment the geese that come and go in the park. PP just can't do anything right by these animals, can they? Please keep us informed on what exactly is going on at PP with respect to its seeming endless persecution of Canada geese. -- Thank you for an informative blog. -- Patty A
ReplyDeleteI am on the committee which is studying the goose issue. There is no new Parks policy per your statements attributed to "Tony" and consequently birders could not be angry about it. Furthermore expanding dog runs for the purpose of controlling the goose population is not on the table. In the coming weeks, a goose management program recommendation will be issued by the Prospect Park Wildlife Management Advisory Committee which should be in accordance with the Humane Society.
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