Central Park

The Daily Plant : Tuesday, December 27, 2005

How Do I Count Thee? Let Me Love The Ways….

As I was driving in to work on Sunday, National Public Radio made frequent mention of that day’s annual tradition, the Christmas Bird Count. While Parks hosts many events that attract a wide array of audience and participants, it was especially appropriate that this one was advertised on public radio. After all, ornithology, as once was said, is the "gentlemen’s sport." Even the literary New Yorker listed the occasion (aptly enough, in its ‘Above and Beyond’ section). Many years have passed since that quote was first uttered, and over a hundred since the first Count (106, to be exact). Today, gentle people of both sexes and all ages partake in a hobby that’s part scientific pursuit, part stroll-in-the-park. For some, bird watching is more a way of life than for others. But for all, the Christmas Bird Count is a fun-filled, high-flying fiesta of field guides, friends and family fare.

It all starts at the South Pump House of the Central Park Reservoir. Early birds flock in at 8:00 a.m. to take advantage of the myriad species just getting their days under way. Volunteers for this year’s census came from all over the tri-state region. Almost 70 in total, the group was divided into teams, each tackling a different section of Central Park. The groups were accompanied by our very own Urban Park Rangers, who act not only as expert guides through the foot paths and trails, but lend their expertise in identifying some of the trickier sightings. Last weekend’s team included Manhattan Sergeant Rakeem Taylor, Sgt. Prastaro from Brooklyn, Sgt. McCoy from Queens, and Rangers Geoff Martin, Stephen Raphael, Michael Glennan, Vanessa Jenny, Howard Kreft and Erica Sopha. (Deputy Director Matt Symons led the effort, but had to leave early to tend to a bird that needed more than just counting; a red-tailed hawk was found tangled in a tree in Prospect Park. Update: Symons reports that through the efforts of this agency and the Wildlife Conservation Society, the hawk was released and recovering.) The morning’s goal was simple – tally every bird spotted.

The weather was superb; sunny and unseasonably warm. Ironically, my participation this year was limited to the indoor portion of the event, but nonetheless, I couldn’t help but appreciate the perfect counting conditions. Nice weather or not, four hours in the field will build anybody’s appetite. Census takers filed into the Arsenal Gallery, and a catered compilation of statistics commenced. Former Parkie and current director of New York City Audubon E.J. McAdams coordinated.

Said McAdams, "The Christmas Bird Count is one of the annual traditions that brings birders, New Yorkers and Parks together to protect birds. It is a great thing to be able to give back to birds in this the season of giving."

Notable results of the Central Park Christmas Bird Count included high numbers of ruddy ducks, crows and hooded mergansers. Also, a great horned owl was seen, as well as (possibly for the first time during a Count) a northern shrike. In total, 6,949 birds encompassing almost 60 species were counted. The data are invaluable to tracking changes in population levels. Because Central Park is integral as a wildlife habitat, those levels provide an indirect measure of overall park health. Parks & Recreation, the Central Park Conservancy, Audubon, and ornithologists from around the globe will use the information. Inwood Hill Park Rangers hosted a bird count of their own in upper Manhattan. NYC Audubon, as well as its state and national counterpart organizations, help sponsor similar counts around the country.

Note: except for chickens used in preparation of the Moroccan chowder, no birds were harmed during the 106th Christmas Bird Count.

Written by Gary Rozman, Special Projects Manager, Community Resources

"Hope is the thing with feathers/That perches in the soul,/And sings the tune without the words,/And never stops at all."

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Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center