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3/28/06
I should have started this a bit earlier, but am now just getting around
to it, so here 'tis:
12th Year In A Row! Poppy and Maudy, the Canada Goose Duo have returned
to the Georgetown Reservoir, Washington, DC--I've counted 12 years, but they probably have a few more before I started keeping
track.
C. Geese have been coming and going all winter long, but about two weeks
ago I'm lured to the fence as I'm bicycling to work by "Honkity Honk" = that's gotta be Poppy and Maudy, doesn't it?!
... Well, actually No = I was (and this has happened in previous years as well) Tricked by another C. Goose Couple who also
know me by sight (Man on Bicycle with Helmet w/Mirror)--they could be offspring of P and M for all I know (and for all P and
M know, too--once the kids are grown, they have nothing else to do with them) or another couple from previous years that I
also fed (I'm no Grinch).
OK, so I have to rule Couple #1 out because:
Incoming! Incoming! All right! Now this has got
to be P and M. Poppy has been Alpha Male every single year since I've been keeping track = when he flies in, everybody
else had better move off... and, so far, they all have (eventually--see previous year pages). OK, Poppy seems to be
honking how I remember = he sort of chokes on some of his honks because he's overexcited. And this surely seems to be
Maudy's 'look' (so hard to describe but it's sort of like love-crumb eyes...).
The next day I bypass Couple #1 and see a pair by the fence after that and
so I pull over and start feeding these guys, assuming they're P and M = not! Another goof...
Incoming! Incoming! Oh geez, Poppy and Maudy, here they
are! I must remember to also bypass Couple #2 next time...
P and M have control of the bread-stuff, but Couple #2 is doing what others
have done in the past:
The Female is 'egging' the Male on: "I want some of that bread.
I need some of that bread. I need to fatten myself up 'cuz I'm gonna have your babies. Now get in there
and take charge!"
The Male: "Oh geez, do I have to? Poo. Oh, all right."
He slowly makes his way over and P and He are having at it, honk-wise. Poppy decides he's come close enough and Charges
#2 Male. He flies up and out towards the water so Poppy swerves over to the Female and starts pushing her towards the
water.
Then #2 Male swings around to shore and goes after Maudy = He chases her
halfway across the water (and Poppy's not really sure what's going on). I can barely see them. Then one of them
circles back... and it's not Maudy, it's #2 Male and he takes over the breadstuff with his Female = Poppy's scratching his
head and saying "That is not how it's supposed to go. Where the hell is Maudy? Oh, no, way over
there? OK, these other two can have the rest of the bread for today--but just for today." And he files
off to be with Maudy (every indication is that she's already decided on a Nesting Site and that corner will be Their Territory
once she starts the Process).
The next several days, I finally get it right = I know exactly where they'll
be and I simply bypass Couples 1 and 2 and pull over near the little Castle building (the Rez is under the 'care' [sic] of
the Army Corps of Engineers and the Castle houses their equipment).
Once, only Poppy came (meaning Maudy's Begun The Process--mark the calendar)...
but Maudy came soon after (scratch that date).
This morning was so beautiful--I pull over and just as I'm getting off the
bike I look up and see Poppy making a 'bee-line' for me and Maudy's right behind him and they both fly in so gracefully and
I hold the bread through the fence, a bunch in each hand, and let them take little chunks off at a time. Maudy makes
a point of chomping close to my fingers--I think she likes making physical contact (I know I sure do--a Wild Creature has
chosen to make contact with me). Poppy, as always, is more stand-backish and upright--ever the watchful Husband.
Maudy gets real close to the fence and does her wonderful Shudder Routine--also hard to describe, but she sort of pulls her
neck in and then Shudders; and I take this to mean that she really likes me.
They never eat all of the bread--and that's a Good Thing because bread is
like candy to C. Geese and they shouldn't have a whole lot of it = they simply decide they've had enough and they start waddling
towards the water, they go in, casually make their way to Their Territory (and drink water while their swimming) and...
All's well (at least for now) at the Rez!
My Buddies. I sure like 'em.
More later,
Ted
p.s. It will be most interesting how the Georgetown Reservoir Saga
turns out this year = last year was very Weird (see "Poppy and Maudy_2005") and I hope this year won't be a repeat...
==================================
4/8/06:
Maudy's been giving the Nest thing the old college Try (she's staked out
a corner of the 'dock' area of the Old Castle Building), but not doing very well, so far. I'll pull up to the fence
and find Poppy waiting there, as per usual, and he'll partake a bit; but then...
Here Comes Maudy
She just can't stay away--she's not quite 'ready' yet, so it's
OK for her to come over for a Short Visit. It is Short, too--she'll just take a few nibbles and then turn around,
do a bit of low-level squawking and head back to the water--she wants to make sure she doesn't miss anything...
Yesterday we had the above scenario and after Maudy headed towards
the water Poppy got an Inspiration and decided he had to clear a couple of C. Geese (near the Center Gate) out of his territory.
They actually aren't in his territory, but no matter--Poppy likes Making His Point with the other Geese = Georgetown
Reservoir Alpha Male "...and don't you forget it!" Cool Guy.
==================================
4/26/06
Maudy's been staying on the Nest for quite some time now, so we'll see if
she still has the Stuff to produce Goslings this year. Poppy waits at the fence every morning, like clockwork.
He prefers that I hold the bread through the fence and he can then pick little morsels off--easier to eat. He doesn't
stay long, though--it's just a little snack and then he's back to Protecting Maudy.
It seems to me that Maudy is nesting early. But so is another Female
C. Goose near the Center Strip--she actually started before Maudy so will probably produce first. It shouldn't be long,
now.
I've noticed no Oddities about the Rez this year so far. I think the
events of the last two years (Reconstruction) upset things a bit, but everything seems quite Normal this time around.
Let's hope it stays as it is now--The Peaceable Kingdom, a Refreshing Stopoff before I do the Drudgery of my Job.
==================================
4/28/06
Will Wonders Never Cease?
I'm riding the Bike past the Rez in the AM on the way to Work.
I brought extra bread because there's a C. Goose couple near the Center Gate and I've been ignoring them (because farther
down will be Poppy waiting at the fence and Maudy nesting on the landing to the Castle building); but when I ride by the Male
ususally does a bit of Honking and I know they know me = Heck, I'll bring them bread, too (the Female has been Nesting longer
than Maudy, so she's doing her Stalwart thing; and the Male is always nearby, guarding her.)
Yesterday after Work, I decided to pull over to the Center Gate
just to say hello to Goose Couple #2 and the Male made his way to the fence, honking here and there and then... All
of a sudden the Female gets of her Nest and comes waddling to the fence, too! = they definitely know me. Well, I didn't
want to upset the Female and have her leave the Nest, but I'm touched that she came to the fence. I didn't have my binoculars,
but it looked like she had at least Two Eggs in her Nest--Cool! I had no bread, so it was just a Greeting
Meeting, but I told them I'd bring bread tomorrow AM, no sweat.
OK, so it's the AM of the 28th. I stop off at the Center Gate,
but the Female stays put. The Male slowly waddles towards me, but stops after a bit = Something's happened overnight
to change their Attitudes--I wonder what it could be. They're very quiet, almost Respectful of something...
I move on towards where I'm sure Poppy will
be and I don't see him--Hmm. I do see a C. Goose Couple in that area, however, and I wonder why Poppy is allowing them
to be in His Territory. I get closer to the Castle Landing and pull out the Binocs = Maudy's not there anymore!?
Wait a minute... I back up and check out that C. Goose Couple =
Whoa Nellie! It's
Poppy and Maudy and 3 Brand New Goslings!!!
I don't believe it! I thought for sure that Maudy
had nested too early and this would probably be a False Pregnancy (as has happened in the past) and she'd have to
start over again = Not! This year she's the First One to Produce Babies!!! I'd also thought that she's quite
Old and easily might come up just plain Empty = Not!!!
Maudy made her way to the fence and the bread.
Poppy's standing back a bit, watching over things. The Goslings stay back too = they're brand new and don't
know what to do yet--you know, bumping into each other, going "Peep, Peep". Well, I say (rather loudly, I'm sure
anyone walking across the street can hear me): "I don't believe it! Maudy, you did it again and it's 3, no
less! Fantastic!"
| Maudy 3 Goslings and Poppy |
|
| 4/28/06 |
| Maudy 3 Goslings and Poppy |
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| 4/28/06 |
| Maudy 3 Goslings and Poppy |
|
| 4/28/06 |
4/29/06:
Just one day after the Maudy Miracle, I'm riding past the Rez, looking for
the P & M Entourage = I'm not sure where they are, right now.
But, the C. Goose Couple at the Center Gate (whom I've decided to name Archy
& Mehitabel) have also Produced = 6 Goslings!
I pull over to say "Congratulations" and they strut proudly.
Then, I backtrack to where I can see Maudy's Nestsite area--maybe they're
hanging around over there = I don't have the Binocs so I make a tiny hole with the fingers of my left hand and that magnifies
things a bit = It looks like there's a C. Goose couple swimming over there and it looks like Goslings, too. I wonder
if P & M see me and if they'll respond...
Slowly, little by little, the Family wends its way to the Bank (which is
bricked fairly steeply). I can't see anyone for a few seconds, but then I see a Goose Head and say "Poppy, Maudy, come
on up!" First it's Poppy then 3 Goslings then Maudy and they waddle their way to me and all I can say is: "My
goodness, thank you for coming all this way." I have no bread, but it doesn't matter, we just say Hello and P &
M do their Natural Parenting Thing. The Goslings don't even notice me--they're too busy righting themselves and
snatching at anything that looks edible.
It's a Beautiful Day at the Reservoir!
=================================
5/9/06
Things are moving along nicely at the Rez. There are quite a few C.
Goose Families wandering about now = I've seen one with just 1 Gosling, another with 7 and yet another with 10!
The main concern is (as always) the Goslings squeezing through links in the
fence to get at stuff on the Wrong Side of the Fence/My Side/the Traffic Side. I've been successful (so far) at getting
the Misplaced shooshed back through the fence to where they belong and are safe. But the next several days could
be problematic = the little buggers get a bit bigger and can't squeeze through the fence links any more but may find
a random spot where the fence doesn't fit snug to the ground and they can squeeze through that. Then they wander
away from that spot and forget where it is = eventual Panic. I'm hoping for not too many of these episodes. We'll
see. Another week or so and they'll be too big to fit through anything much = Worries will be basically
over. (Unless, of course, some dumb-bunny Rez Maintenance guy leaves the entrance gate open after he drives in
= entire Families are then susceptible to wandering outside the fence and then the gate gets closed... then what?
We'll wait and see.)
One very nice Bright Moment item re: all of this is the fact that my
Boss' Wife, Mary Anne, is a Good Caring Soul and monitors the Rez for Gosling Escapees, too, as she drives by the
Rez--if she sees something amiss, she'll turn the car around, park, walk across the street and Shoosh Them Back In. "Rush-hour
traffic, late for work? Who cares? The Goslings come first". Three cheers, Mary Anne!
==================================
Of Special Note:
This morning I saw Poppy, Maudy and the 3 Goslings (all on the Right Side
of the fence), so I stopped, greeted them and pushed some bread portions through the fence = The whole Family had a great
time with their Breakfast Treats!
Shortly thereafter, I hear some C. Goose honking and it's getting closer
= What's this all about? Another C. Goose pair flies in from a ways down and very close to P, M and Family = a No No
in the C. Goose World = one never ever intrudes on a Family; the Family is Sacred. So why did this other pair
fly in like this? I wasn't sure, but I walked over to them (they never really intruded on P and M, they stopped short)
and pulled out a bit of bread. But they didn't take it and, instead, flew off honking! Why? Well, here's
what I think Why:
I walked the bike over to where they landed (not far at all) and saw them
with 7 Goslings = ah, these are the 7 Gosling Family. OK, but what gives? Oh, wait a minute. I'll bet the
Goslings had strayed throught the fence and were on the Wrong Side and the Parents were worried. And then they recognized
me (feeding P and M's Family) as The Guy Who Shooshes Goslings Back In, so they flew over to me for Help... Is that
possible? I believe it. By the time these Parents got back to where the Goslings were, the Kids were all back
inside again and the Parents didn't need me after all. I believe it. That was a damn Smart thing for
these C. Goose Parents to do, wouldn't you say? Yes indeed.
=============================================
=============================================
=============================================
=============================================
6/9/06:
Too good to be true = Things were just fine, but then...
C. Goose Families On Wrong Side Of Fence--
Again
I found a dead adult Canada Goose on the Wrong Side
Of The Fence last Friday after work. Then I found a Family of 9 stranded on the Wrong Side Of The Fence two days ago
before work. Then a Family of 6, ditto, the next day... It's happening again. Goose Poop up and down the
sidewalk, frantic C. Geese trying to figure out how to get back in but can't remember how they got out = This is so tiresome,
but something has to be done, so:
Below find two letters I messengered over to ABC
7 On Your Side (the consumer advocate people). So far, no reply. But I've taken other action as well. First
things first:
==============================================
Letter #1:
Dear ABC 7 On Your Side, 6/7/06
I’ve left phone & email messages re: my topic yesterday,
but want to be sure you get my point exactly, so I’m pasting together a ‘story board’ for you:
This is the Main Entrance to the Georgetown Reservoir in Washington,
DC (MacArthur Blvd. NW twixt 44th and 47th streets, in the Palisades neighborhood). This reservoir is
a major part of the Washington Aqueduct which supplies potable water to DC and Northern VA. It’s managed by the US Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE).
This is the Castle that the Main Gate leads to. It’s
something of an historical icon and a drawing of it is the
official Logo of the USACE. A pretty picture, right? Well, the Reality of what goes on here needs some fixing...
I know well what goes on at the ‘Rez’—I
ride past the Rez on my bicycle to and from work 5 days a week (unless it’s raining or snowing) and many times on the
weekends as well. During the workweek it’s given me many a Peaceful Moment before I enter into the drudgery of a job
I don’t particularly like—just to gaze across the water on a sunny day is fine enough; but I’ve also developed
a ‘relationship’ with some waterfowl that frequent the Rez = Poppy and Maudy, two Canada Geese that I’ve
come to know (and they me) very well. I’ve been ‘tracking’ them for 12 years now (and writing about them on my website, http://tedeboy.tripod.com, for the past 8 years).
I appreciate and enjoy observing all of the avian activity
at the Rez (waterfowl as well as swallows, crows and occasional vultures). What upsets me greatly is the plight of
The Canada Geese at the Georgetown Reservoir
Some come and go year ‘round; but most come late winter/early
spring to breed, nest, have babies (goslings), raise the kids, teach them how to fly and then they all leave late fall/early
winter. This happens every year, but with different Nuances. And it’s the Nuances that mean a lot.
The Rez is, theoretically, completely enclosed by fencing
(your standard government secure fencing), thus the Geese (nor the occasional Mallard family) cannot ‘escape’
the Rez ‘on foot’ = it’s completely safe. But the Theory is flawed = the fencing has gaping holes/openings
and juvenile geese will wander through them and out into the Real World = traffic on MacArthur Blvd. NW. And the parents are
obliged (by their genes) to follow after = adult Canada Geese and Goslings wandering on The Wrong Side Of The Fence, forgetting
where the Hole is that they wandered through and... Panic! There’s a grassy strip all along the Rez on MacArthur Blvd.,
but it’s thin and if something upsets the Lost Geese they may scoot out into the Traffic...
I found one adult C. Goose, dead, on the wrong side of the
fence last Friday. It looked like it had been hit by a car and somebody tossed it into the grass.
Then, Tuesday morning I’m riding past the Rez and
I stop to feed a C. Goose family some bread crumbs (I usually carry same in a saddlebag)—that’s fine. But I ride
on farther and see
Two Adults and 7 Goslings On The Wrong Side
Of The Fence
Oh no, not this again (I’ve been through this before).
I pull over, take my helmet off and try ‘corralling’ them towards the Main Castle Gate (I know for sure that the
Hole there is big enough for the whole bunch). But I’m not making a lot of progress and they’re getting more and
more panicky. At one point, one of the adults darts out into the street = cars slamming on brakes, me yelling at them to get
back onto the grass... sheesh.
I don’t need this, I’ve got to get to work...
So I tell the Family to calm down, I wait a bit and then tell them I’m going to get my bike and I’ll be right
back = when I get back they’ve Gone Across The Street now... Poop, this is no good. I can’t deal with it... I
rush off to work and call DC Animal Control. And they say (do you believe this?) "we can’t handle any animals unless
they’re sick or wounded." "So, you’re saying that if some animals are Lost and Might Be Run Over By A Car they
don’t qualify?" "That’s right, we’ve gotten into trouble over this before and that’s the way it is."
... I worry all day over this. After work I patrol the Rez (with my little pocket camera) and am relieved to find the C. Goose
Family of 9 all back inside the fence! But I’m going to find all the places where they could have gotten through = these
places need to be fence-secured so this sort of thing doesn’t happen again. Not only for the safety of the Geese, but
also for the safety of Humans Driving Cars on MacArthur Blvd.
==============================================
Closer examination of the Castle Gate--gaps large enough for juvenile
and adult C. Geese to squeeze through. Wherever the Juveniles go, the adults must follow = it's in their
genes.
This is the Center Gate. Ever since 9/11 it’s rarely used.
Closer examination of the Center Gate. This
is a joke...
Closer examination of the North Gate.
Space enough for Juveniles to squeeze under. Then they wander farther down and forget how to get back = Frantic Parents
on one side, scared Juveniles on the other (Wrong Side). This needs fixing/modification. Same for the the other
two Gates = these are The Problem and something's got to be done.
I hate seeing Dead Geese at the Rez.
Several years ago, the situation was basically under control, but
ever since they remodeled the southern half of the Rez and put in New Gates after 9/11—the fencing is not Secure enough.
I’ve dealt with the USACE on this issue over the years and
their argument is that they’re responsible for Potable Drinking Water for Humans. The Birds are not their concern.
For argument’s sake, I say: All right, forget about the welfare
of the Birds. What about People in Cars slamming on brakes, endangering other peoples’ lives? That, most assuredly,
is your concern. Fix the Holes and it’s Win/Win = no frantic panicked Geese wandering out into the street (and
laying down vast quantities of Goose Grease along the way) and no cars slamming on brakes endangering the lives of little
children.
=============================================
Letter #2:
Dear ABC 7 On Your Side,
6/8/06
I presume you got my messengered envelope yesterday. Please add
this to what I’ve submitted already:
The Canada Geese at the Georgetown Reservoir
Here’s the scenario at the North Gate yesterday AM =
2 adult C. Geese and their 4 Goslings On The Wrong Side Of The Fence. I tried to get them back into safety by throwing down
bread crumbs until they got to the gate, then throw crumbs under the opening at the bottom of the gate = all 4 Goslings
scooted under, no problem. But, as far as I could tell (I had to leave for work, eventually) the adults couldn’t squeeze
under = they must have gotten out at a different location and wandered to this area.
At this point, I'd thrown bread crumbs under the North
Gate (the gap is at the bottom) = all 4 Goslings went in after the bread, but the Adults couldn't squeeze under = they must
have gotten out at one of the other Gates...
After I got to work, I called DC Animal Control and said
I wasn’t sure, but maybe one of these was injured. They said they’d look into if they could...
Now I ask you: If you were walking along MacArthur Blvd.,
alongside the Georgetown Reservoir and noticed a lot of goose poop on the sidewalk, then discovered this Family of 6 Canada
Geese frantically trying to get back into the Rez—would you just keep on walking and say, "It’s none of my business"?
I can’t do that. These frightened God’s Creatures need help. Who’s going to help them, though? Unless they’re
injured, not DC Animal Control. Not the US Army Corps of Engineers (at least not in response to my many letters and emails
= they don’t care about the birds’ welfare, only the water). The USACE is the only entity that has the authority
to fix the fences—it’s US Government property = anyone else found tampering with the fences could go to jail.
However, ABC 7 On Your Side could make a difference
= you could appeal to the USACE to make fence modifications, put a little pressure on them to make this area Safe (for all)
again.
==============================================
==============================================
6/10/06:
No response from On Your Side. On well, what I did accomplish was to
give the Washington Aqueduct (USACE) phone # to DC Animal Control and any time one of these GT Rez Episodes is called in to
them, they'll automatically call the Wash. Aqueduct and tell them they need to solve the problem... We'll see...
One other note:
Someone at the Deli near where I work told me they saw some Firemen (there's a Firehouse
across the street from the Rez) stopping traffic and shooshing a C. Goose Family across the street back to the Rez side.
Cool. So, I typed up 4 Handy Note Cards that had the DC Animal Control, Wash. Aqueduct and My phone #'s on them.
I stopped off at the Firehouse. Nobody seemed to be around. I walk towards the back and see everybody sitting
around, eating = I'm barging in on their Dinner... Well, I pull out the 4 cards and tell them Thanks for helping the
Geese get back across the street; and if they know of any other related problems, here are some #'s to call. ...
Frankly, I think my appearance was a bit Odd = I've been growing a Beard, again--all
white. And I was wearing a Bandana (like I always do when I put a bike helmet on) = Some of the guys looked at
me kinda funny, like...
So, I'm going to write a little Note Of Apology to them and include half a dozen "ACJO
Special Guests" CDs = gifts. I think this will definitely change some opinions of me (I want them to respect
me and what I'm doing, not consider me an Old Hippie or Oddball).
More later...
==============================================
6/13/06
I went over to Engine Company 29 (the Firehouse across from the Rez) last Sunday to
drop off the abovementioned Note and CDs. But I decided to shave off the beard stuff, first. The guys said "Thanks"
and I think we're on good footing, here.
Sad Note:
I walked home from work on Monday (6/12) and found what I didn't want to find--a young
Gosling, dead on the sidewalk. Probably hit by a car and tossed to the side. This is what makes me so Angry!
I put together a Flyer re: this latest development and tacked a bunch of them up by
the Safeway and CVS stores. I also dropped several off at the Lab School (which is also just across from the Rez)--hopefully
some of those Kids will get motivated to do something other than just stand by and let things happen.
Here's the Flyer:
==============================================
Is This What You Want To See
On Your Way Home From Work?
This is a Canada Goose gosling. Found dead on the sidewalk next to the Georgetown Reservoir on 6/12/06.
It was one of a group of Canada Geese that inadvertently got onto the wrong side of the fencing at the Reservoir. Most likely
it was hit by a car. Its death was not natural and could have been avoided.
The US Army Corps of Engineers ‘manages’ the Georgetown Reservoir (as part of the Washington
Aqueduct which supplies safe water to DC and northern VA). The fencing at the Reservoir is flawed/inadequate and needs fixing.
Large gaps (especially at the 3 gate areas) allow juveniles to wander out onto the wrong side of the fencing. Some are large
enough for adults to wander through, as well (and wherever the juveniles go, the adults follow). The group then wanders away
from where they got out and they forget how to get back = Panic! The only people authorized to ‘take care’ of
this situation are the USACE people—they’re the only ones with keys to the gates.
The Army Corps doesn’t like the birds being in the GT Reservoir, but they are a
fact every year and many people in the neighborhood love seeing them, feeding them a few bread crumbs, etc. When the fencing
is secure, no geese ever get onto the wrong side of the fence and everybody’s happy. Until the fencing is fixed, there
will only be more Panic and sadness. Please call the
Washington Aqueduct 202 764-2753
and urge them to fix the fencing at the Georgetown Reservoir ASAP.
====================================================
Today, after work, I cruised by the Main Gate area and found
2 C. Goose families on the wrong side of the fence. Luckily, they hadn't wandered too far from the Main Gate, so I shooshed
them back towards the gate and they all got back inside safely. Here's how they did it:
This is confirmation that the Main Gate
is a main Problem--the C. Geese exit here, but often wander all the way down to the other end of the Rez; and this is where
most of the problems occur--lots of goose poop, geese in the street, cars slamming on brakes, etc. The First Order Of
The Day should be to Modify The Main Gate Fencing ASAP!
================================================
6/16/06
I was surprised to find a piece of mail from ABC 7 On Your Side--they haven't
decided on doing a piece on the Rez yet and it'd be OK for me to send more stuff. So I messengered one more packet to
them = it contains the above evidence on the Main Gate gaps plus this update:
Two days ago after work, I'm cruising towards the Rez on my way home from
work and I see 3 C. Goose Families on the Wrong Side Of The Fence. Luckily, they're not far from the Main Gate so I'm
pretty sure I can shoosh them back in. The best method for 'shooshing', I've found, is to be bent-over a bit and wave
the hands down low as if scooping something up. I, of course, talk to them and tell them I'm not going to hurt them;
but they still act scared and I have to make sure none of them stray out into the street. After several minutes, I get
them all back in and feel very Satisfied. Then...
I see two other Families across the street! Oh no. Well, they're
not far from the Main Gate, also, so if I/Fate can get them back across the street safely...
Before I can get myself across the street, they're crossing on their own
= not cool, there's traffic coming from both directions! Luckily, the geese are noticed and the cars stop and let them
cross... Whew. I look at the drivers and they me and I just throw up my hands in a "I have no idea, but thank
you for stopping" gesture.
I'm then able to shoosh these guys back in. Thus, 5 C. Goose Families
(at least 30 individuals) are all back in, safely! Yay!
I also messengered pertinent info to our Ward 3 DC Councilperson, Kathleen
Patterson. A main point I make clear to her is that when the geese get onto the street or the other side of the street
They Are Now On DC Property (and/or Private Property), not Federal Government Property = tell the USACE to secure the fences
and get them off of DC land (and stop this slamming-on-brakes stuff from happening).
I sent these things in the AM and was hoping to get a phone call before the
end of the day = not. So:
I need to do an errand near Dupont Circle, take the C & O Bike Path back
and head up MacArthur Blvd. I cruise past the Rez, hoping I'm not going to see any C. Geese on the wrong side of the
fence: Main Gate area = OK. A little farther down = OK. But, near the Center Gate I see several Families
on the Wrong Side Of The Fence = damn!
They're quite a long way from the Main Gate, but that's the only place I
know I can get them back in, so:
I pull up and over, ahead of the Flock, get off the bike, take my helmet
and satchel off and... start Shoohsing.
This is a confusing bunch: Some look like complete, intact Families,
but others look 'disjointed'/partial (e.g., there's 1 Adult with but 1 Small Gosling; and the Adult seems to be looking
for its Mate. ???). There are plenty of geese on the Right Side Of The Fence and some of the ones I'm shooshing
seem to be 'attached' to others on the inside--they're trying desperately to find an opening to get back in and there's
honking back and forth.
It's going to take some Time to get them all the way back to the Main Gate.
And they're not all cooperating = The single Adult w/Small Gosling keeps trying to cross the street = No! Other adults
are lagging back, 'talking' to others on the inside. I have to jockey back and forth, besides moving forward...
A seemingly nice lady in her '50's or so is coming from the other direction.
She stands aside and chats about Geese and Goslings and I say they're scared, don't know how to get back and this is something
of a Crisis. But, she just keeps smiling and chatting... and not helping. She's a Case In Point = absolutely No One, so far, has offered to help in any way. They may have beatific smiles, but they're
of no help whatsoever (as the lady at the Lab School, where I dropped off some flyers, said, "Only 2 dead so far? I
thought there'd be more by now" ...).
OK, it's just Me and the Flock. "C'mon gang, forward! Please!"
Theyr'e not cooperating well at all and some Juveniles seem to be getting fatigued. At certain points I get close
enough to touch the tail feathers of lagging Juveniles and they seem surprised at first, but then seem to get used to it and
know I'm not going to hurt them.
Geez, this is taking forever! I'm getting drymouth (I have a Bad Cold) and
pull out some chewing gum to generate saliva.
Getting around the Castle will be the hardest part because they won't see
the others on the inside any more and will be tempted to stop. But, I get them around the corner and into the larger
plot of grass = they seem to recognize where they are now and Everyone Is Moving Forward Together = it's rather beautiful
and fascinating to watch. Not long after, they all squeeze under the Main Gate and are in safely!
I expect some of them to look back in gratitude, but they don't--they just
continue up this little hill towards the Water. This is when I realize something extremely important about all of this
=
When geese are on the Wrong Side Of The Fence they have
Food Source (grass), fine; but No Water Source! This can get critical after awhile. I think that's why so many
try crossing the street = looking for The Way Back, yes, but also for Water.
I watch them all make their way over the hill alongside the
Castle and as they disappear I hear them honking contentedly. I go around the Castle and see them all in the Water now.
Some of the geese who were on the inside already swim out to meet them. It looks like at least one Couple has been Reunited.
It looks like the Peacable Kingdom again. No panic, just contented swimming formations. Water--an Essential Element
in the lives of Canada Geese.
================================================
Who knows what's next? I don't know how much more I can do/who else
I can appeal to. But I must say that all this Shooshing is Tiresome Business--I really don't want to continue this.
But, as stated before, No One Else Seems To Give A Damn.
================================================
6/18/06:
Confirmation of Exit/Entrance #2 (Main Gate being #1)--Yesterday, I found
a C. Goose family of 5 wandering down Reservoir Road = past the Rez, going in the wrong direction and out into the street.
So, I pull up in front of them and shoosh them back to the North Gate = the space at the bottom (especially on the right side)
is big enough for them All to squeeze under and get back in!
| North Gate, Georgetown Reservoir |
|
| The gap on the right side of the North Gate. |
|
| Entire C. Goose families squeeze under here. |
6/22/06:
Update.
Here's how it works:
1. Jimmy, Supervisor of DC Animal Control, calls to say
he got my packet and is fowarding it to
2. Jim Monsma, of the Washington Humane Society.
Jim calls me and say he's going to call my Ward 3 Councilperson, Kathleen Patterson.
3. Penny Pagano, Chief Aide to Kathleen Patterson leaves
a VM message on my home phone--she's seen the stranded Geese herself on her way to work. She says she knows the
Chief Engineer of the Washington Aqueduct, Tom Jacobus, personally. She'll call him direct and advise him to fix
the fencing.
4. Maintenance Workers are dispatched to take care of
the situation = a. they put a long board at
the bottom of the North Gate--success!; b. they tightened up the center gate and put screening on both sides = success!.
But the Main Gate hasn't been touched. A few days go by and I'm still shooshing bunches back in under the Main
Gate.
Today is Saturday and I ran a couple of errands = 2 dozen Geese
on the Wrong Side Of The Fence, but they were too far away from the Main Gate, so I just kept moving along; then about a half
dozen later on--same thing, too far away;
then, later on, about a dozen near the Main Gate = I pull
over and shoosh them under the Main Gate (no problem, they're very accomodating/they listen to me and do as I ask).
Below you'll find a fax I sent to Penny Pagano yesterday.
Later on, I left a VM, just in case she didn't get the fax = the Main Gate is still a Main Culprit = call Tom Jacobus and
tell him to Finish The Job!
===============================================
7/30/06
Time has passed. The Juveniles are approaching full-growth
and seem to have learned certain things about getting on the wrong side of the fence = given time, they'll lead the Lost Troupe
to the Main Gate and they'll all scoot under.
I haven't seen many instances of Wrong Siding lately.
All appears to be under control, OK. However:
The Main Gate has not been addressed and will definitely be
a problem next year unless it's modified. I fear nothing more will be done this year. And the fact of the matter
is that I'm moving out of this area in a couple of months and won't be around next year. Jim Monsma of the Wash. Humane
Society was very helpful and I'll ask him to pay special attention to the Rez next year--someone's got to keep on top of this;
these critters are blameless and deserve protection from unforeseen circumstances.
===========================================================
9/2/06
This may be my last 'transmission' re: the Georgetown Reservoir and the creatures that frequent it = I'm moving
out of the area 'for good' as of October 2nd (moving back to Minneapolis, MN).
I'm hoping Jim Monsma of the Washington Humane Society will take up the slack in my absence--he's been very helpful
in getting two of the Gates secured. But the Main Gate remains unchanged and it will be problematic next year, to be
sure.
I'll miss Poppy and Maudy (and perhaps they me, but they're much better at 'moving on' in Life than most people).
It was a Great Friendship that I'll never forget.
Troubling, to my mind, is what's been happening at the Rez recently = pretty much Nothing. And that worries
me. It used to be that C. Geese flocks would remain at the Rez all summer long and well into September/October.
But for many weeks now, I see very little of any creature swimming in the water. Same for along the perimeters, too.
Yes, there might be a Cormorant or two; a Mallard mama with a baby; but, ususally the waters are completely devoid of critters
swimming.
Where are all of the Canada Geese? There were dozens at one time, but now all I've seen for weeks are 4
Solitary C. Geese who seem Lost... I meet them at the Fence and give them bread = 2 seem older, 2 are Juveniles who
still go "Peep, Peep". One Juvenile seems out-of-place/unwelcome = the older Geese peck at it and tell it to go away
= I make sure that this one gets attention and bread, too.
But where are all the others?
A few days ago I heard some 'barking' inside the Rez (around dusk). It sounded much like Foxes (who have
been known to get into the Rez in times past and filch Goose eggs; but, theoretically, this was addressed when the completely
re-did the back fencing several years ago.) Thus I have 2 Theories:
1. Foxes have found a way into the Rez and thus the main body of C. Geese have found a way Out--perhaps
they exited from the rear of the Rez and made their way down to the Potomac River (basically 'just down the hill' from the
Rez).
2. The USACE has found some magical chemical additive to the water that discourages any waterfowl from
staying in it for very long. I've never heard of such a thing in all of the research I've done on Ways To Discourage
Canada Geese.
All in all, the Rez looks so Empty, nowadays, and that's Sad. It's not Normal.
There's little else I can do now. Hope for the best, move on and cherish the memories, right? OK.
Good luck everybody.
Ted Unseth
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