Central Park

The Daily Plant : Monday, October 21, 2002

A 15-FOOT CONDOR, A BALD EAGLE, AND MANY OTHER BIRDS OF PREY SOARED HIGH IN CENTRAL PARK

Photo By Spencer T Tucker

The fifth annual Falconry Extravaganza was one of Central Parks biggest events of the season. With birds flying high and kids eyes turned skyward, the Falconry Extravaganza cheered up what was otherwise a very gloomy Saturday in New York City. Parks’ Urban Park Rangers, with title sponsorship from BP and support from Wild Republic, the Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, and Patagonia, brought over nine species of birds and six master falconers to this year’s birds of prey showcase. The event focused on the importance of conserving these birds, especially here in New York City.

Birds from around the world were on hand and in the air, including the Harris Hawk, Red-tailed Hawks, an American Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcons, American Kestrels, Lanner Falcons, Gryfalcons, various species of Owls, and for a special treat, the only “free flying” Andean Condors in captivity. Tom Cullen, Parks’ resident falconer, was joined by Urban Park Ranger Deputy Director Matt Symons to MC the event. They taught all in attendance about the birds’ ecology and to gave descriptions of how the birds responded to the falconers’ commands and calls.

At the BP tent kids learned more about how BP and Parks’ Urban Park Rangers brought the American bald eagle to New York City. Wild Republic showed off their newest line of collectible and realistic plush Audubon birds with real bird calls (with all proceeds supporting Urban Park Ranger programming.) At the photo station kids and parents were able to take home a picture of themselves standing with a falconer and bird of prey. The Urban Park Rangers hosted educational tables with information about bird ecology and biology, the American bald eagle re-introduction, and the Wildlife Management Program.

As the day wound down and kids began to get tired from all the excitement, the “guest of honor” made his appearance. Vedor, the Andean condor with a 15-foot wingspan, swooped onto the scene looking like something from another age. Bearing a close resemblance to a small plane, Vedor in flight was a sight to behold. And as they had all day, jaws dropped and cheers erupted as the showcase bird wowed the audience. At the end, each member of the crowed left the Falconry Extravaganza with eyes turned skyward in hopes of catching a glimpse of some of the city’s own native wonders.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Tuesday, October 31, 1989)

JILL IRELAND PLANTS GARDEN OF HOPE

Actress Jill Ireland stood near Central Park's Wollman Rink on an unseasonably warm October morning, and delivered a powerful message to a crowd of guests and international press.

"I urge all women in a high-risk category for breast cancer to participate in the Strang Clinic's national high-risk registry," said Ireland, a breast-cancer sufferer for several years."

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"You must not lose faith in humanity.
Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty,
the ocean does not become dirty."

Mahatma Gandhi
(1869 - 1948)

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center