2018 Central Park Squirrel Census - Stories

The Squirrel Census (https://www.thesquirrelcensus.com/) is a multimedia science, design, and storytelling project focusing on the Eastern gray (Sciurus carolinensis). They count squirrels and present their findings to the public.

This table contains stories, observations, and notes written on tally sheets by Squirrel Sighters during the Census. Individual stories have been tagged with common story themes, such as “squirrel experience,” “park experience,” “dogs,” “other animals,” “accidental poems,” and “squirrels acting odd.”

Environment The Squirrel Census Dataset gfqj-f768 12 fields
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Dataset fields
Showing 50 real records
34G
Hectare: 34G • Shift: AM • Date: 10182018
Hectare
34G
Shift
AM
Date
10182018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Many dogs.
Tree trimmers, loud!
No squirrels :(
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
34G
Hectare: 34G • Shift: PM • Date: 10062018
Hectare
34G
Shift
PM
Date
10062018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
I am always struck by a great beauty and variety of trees here. I am glad to see younger trees planted among the grand old ones.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
34H
Hectare: 34H • Shift: PM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
34H
Shift
PM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Although there were no squirrels active in this hectare, there were many in adjacent hectares.

In the field, there was a group of 10 young men with padded replicas of swords, clubs, and arrows playing a combat game. Over the distant sound of kids playing soccer, they yelled, "Good arrows!" and "Regroup!"
Story Topic Park Experience
1
42C
Hectare: 42C • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
42C
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
A one legged man on a hand powered tricycle wheels by slowly enough to see me spying on a squirrel.
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
34H
Hectare: 34H • Shift: PM • Date: 10062018
Hectare
34H
Shift
PM
Date
10062018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
There are many communities using the land here, the squirrel among them.

A group of tough white boys bicycled by me, dropped their bikes on the ground, and sat on a rock listening to Eminem. A Central American family picnicked on a rock with large coolers of fragrant food. Their children were in superhero costumes.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
34H
Hectare: 34H • Shift: AM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
34H
Shift
AM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Kids playing! Climbing trees.

Robins, woodpeckers

Dogs, some still off leash

Dog had Squirrel #1 treed.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Other
Birds
34I
Hectare: 34I • Shift: AM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
34I
Shift
AM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Screaming kids in playground — private school, red sweaters.

Pretty pines.

Tai chi woman — rap music, HS students in big class.

Dog walker w/10 dogs.

Might need to be recounted.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
34I
Hectare: 34I • Shift: PM • Date: 10102018
Hectare
34I
Shift
PM
Date
10102018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
- a bird

* There is a squirrel nest in the tree.

- It looks like Squirrel #3 runs across from the playground back to its nest on the big tree.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Other
Birds
35A
Hectare: 35A • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
35A
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
The resident squirrel feeder arrived + threw an unidentified substance (?) at squirrels #2 + #3.

Squirrel #3 made a little sneeze (like an exhale, but with a puff).

Woman ran past with her dog + yelled, "Are you counting squirrels? Awesome!!!"

I had the best conversation w/ a mom + her son about the project. Son: "Why are you counting squirrels?" Mom: "Why NOT?"
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Census Takers
1
Story Topic Other
Squirrel Sneeze, Feeding
35A
Hectare: 35A • Shift: PM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
35A
Shift
PM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Kids listening to music / smoking pot
man at pool doing Tai-Chi
Two rats

Such a nice day lots & lots of
people & dogs in the park
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
35A
Hectare: 35A • Shift: AM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
35A
Shift
AM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Overall, conditions are similar here to Hectare 33-A. People came through area every few minutes (about half with dogs). Fewer birds, though, than in 33-A (except for ducks on pond).
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Other
Birds
35A
Hectare: 35A • Shift: AM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
35A
Shift
AM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
When my alarm went off, Squirrel #8 got intrigued and came down from his tree to investigate. It was interesting to see the squirrels hiding out so close to the road.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
35B
Hectare: 35B • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
35B
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Two different dogs chased squirrels. and one dog was not allowed to chase squirrels (he and owner just waited several yards away) One squirrel was fed by a nice grandpa and chased by the grandson
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
35B
Hectare: 35B • Shift: AM • Date: 10102018
Hectare
35B
Shift
AM
Date
10102018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Another quiet hectare - squirrel wise.
On any other time walking through the park I feel I see them everywhere, but now that I am looking for them I only come up with a small handful.

I wonder if they prefer a later shift-like most NYers.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
35C
Hectare: 35C • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
35C
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
A dog chased #1 up an oak, and it kicked, quaad, and tail signaled (flags and twitches) within 2 minutes it was back on the ground, but it would stop + flag or twitches its tail every few seconds. The others and it all ran to trees when some leashed dogs came near.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
35C
Hectare: 35C • Shift: AM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
35C
Shift
AM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Lots of off-leash dogs, including one very disobedient, very happy "Vinny," who very much wanted to go for a swim.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
35D
Hectare: 35D • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
35D
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
These squirrels are destroying this tree!
I forgot to name these squirrels.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
35D
Hectare: 35D • Shift: AM • Date: 10192018
Hectare
35D
Shift
AM
Date
10192018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
What a great time to be in the park! Migrating birds are everywhere. It’s hard not to get distracted by them.

I heard Squirrel #1 in a cluster of trees, as a mob of blue jays was gathering. Perhaps they were preparing to chase away an animal.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Other
Birds
35E
Hectare: 35E • Shift: AM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
35E
Shift
AM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Mama Squirrel!

Walk-a-thon passing through. Lots of pink!
Story Topic Park Experience
1
35E
Hectare: 35E • Shift: AM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
35E
Shift
AM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
High school soccer game goingf on next door.

Kids game, too. "That's your team. They're wearing your jersey." — father to son

Hawk just let out awesome screech.

Goal! Cheer goes up in soccer game. "Woohoo!"

Lots and lots of joggers.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
35F
Hectare: 35F • Shift: PM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
35F
Shift
PM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
The majority of the area, the baseball fields, was red flagged, but since it was empty and flat it made for better viewing. Squirrel #1 was spotted by a tourist mom of a family who shouted, “Ben, chase the squirrel!“ The son dutifully ran after the squirrel, who hightailed it. The son quickly lost interest but the squirrel hit behind a well-placed short offshoot of a tree. S/he kept peeping out till s/he felt safe, at which point s/he started nibbling on acorns. We had a moment.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
35G
Hectare: 35G • Shift: PM • Date: 10062018
Hectare
35G
Shift
PM
Date
10062018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
(#1) Black beauty running from dogs on leashes

Quintet of teenage boys hanging out on rock just behind field #9, listening to mediocre-at-best rap music.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
35G
Hectare: 35G • Shift: AM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
35G
Shift
AM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrel #2 was climbing with a twig in his mouth. It was obvious he was up to something important. The trees here weren't very numerous or condensed.
Story Topic Squirrels Acting
1
35H
Hectare: 35H • Shift: PM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
35H
Shift
PM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
That oval was completely unexpected.

Few to no most trees, basswood, maple, pine, cherry

Maybe squirrels aren't here b/c they're freaked out by unexpected ovals
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
35H
Hectare: 35H • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
35H
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Some joggers and walkers on East Drive, but the rest of this hectare had very few people.

Heard quass from high in the tree here, but didn’t spot squirrel.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
35I
Hectare: 35I • Shift: PM • Date: 10062018
Hectare
35I
Shift
PM
Date
10062018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
I spotted a handful of teenagers hanging out on a rock, smoking weed. Four boys, laughing and enjoying themselves.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
35I
Hectare: 35I • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
35I
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
10 a.m.: Rain stopped!

There's a lot of small fruit trees (cherry-like, small red clusters) and lower/shorter trees for ground cover.

Surprising how few people there are, but there's not as many squirrels. Must be the noise from cars along the road.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
36A
Hectare: 36A • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
36A
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Football game being played nearby didn't bother Squirrel #1 :)

Squirrels #5 through #8 in the enclosed field.

- Drone was awesome!!!
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
36A
Hectare: 36A • Shift: AM • Date: 10182018
Hectare
36A
Shift
AM
Date
10182018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
An African-American gentleman wearing a jacket with a huge "Red Sox" on the back walked a black dog. At a corner of a hill, a woman took pictures using a tripod, but disturbed by an intruder (me), she left. A serious birdwatcher?
36B
Hectare: 36B • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
36B
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Had a staring contest w/ squirrel #1.

A man asked me, "Do you know why there are so many black squirrels?" I shrugged.

Squirrels #2 + #3 chased each other!

#2 eventually approached me on its hind legs + puffed out his/her chest.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
36C
Hectare: 36C • Shift: AM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
36C
Shift
AM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Very difficult terrain!!?
Story Topic Park Experience
1
36C
Hectare: 36C • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
36C
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Group of three squirrels foraging and eating and occasionally chasing each other around.

When I walked by them, they seemed more alert, but generally did not run away. In fact, one squirrel with chase another one, which had to get closer to me to get away from the squirrel. This happened twice.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
36D
Hectare: 36D • Shift: PM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
36D
Shift
PM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrel #2 kept chasing a chipmunk away. Three French and Two German tourists zeroed in on this. At one point while digging, squirrel #2 came across something that made him jump up and run a few feet away. Somebody enjoyed some marijuana. Far more chipmunks than squirrels visible. Very dense woodlands with dense undergrowth probably hid more. A fair number of people, but they were quiet and stayed on the paths.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Squirrels Acting
1
36D
Hectare: 36D • Shift: PM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
36D
Shift
PM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Chipmunk
Frisbee players
People taking photo squirrel eating seeds
Robin taking a bath in the stream
Fishing in pool
Story Topic Park Experience
1
36E
Hectare: 36E • Shift: PM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
36E
Shift
PM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrel trying its hardest to pull the acorns off the tip of the branch without falling was a comical sight. Makes you wander what is so good about that acorn that makes it better than all the easier grabs around it.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
36E
Hectare: 36E • Shift: PM • Date: 10062018
Hectare
36E
Shift
PM
Date
10062018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
The little guy came running over when I made clicking sounds. It came over about 3 ft away & got on its hind legs & put his paws together & looked like it was moving its paws like it was begging.

[also noted on front page: Dog chasing two squirrels up tree]
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
36E
Hectare: 36E • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
36E
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Fred's Team (charity) had an event set up for runners with dogs.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
36F
Hectare: 36F • Shift: AM • Date: 10172018
Hectare
36F
Shift
AM
Date
10172018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Very quiet. I think a man with a dog thought I might give him a ticket or something because he moved to a more secluded spot to play fetch with his dog off leash after 9am. A juvenile hopped over to me, stood up on its back legs and cocked its head as if to say “?” I got a quick picture of it before it decided I was a SERIOUS THREAT and bolted. Possible nest!
Story Topic Squirrel
1
36F
Hectare: 36F • Shift: PM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
36F
Shift
PM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
I came across a photographer seemingly taking photos of birds.

Saw orange butterflies flying around the North Meadow Butterfly Garden.

No squirrel sightings near a group of teenagers playing soccer.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Other
Birds
36G
Hectare: 36G • Shift: PM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
36G
Shift
PM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrel 2 was found because of how loud it was eating.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
36G
Hectare: 36G • Shift: AM • Date: 10182018
Hectare
36G
Shift
AM
Date
10182018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
No squirrels.
Almost attacked by dog! :(
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
36H
Hectare: 36H • Shift: PM • Date: 10082018
Hectare
36H
Shift
PM
Date
10082018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
(1) small hawk attempted to grab squirrel from ground near base of tree
-Remained on ground making kuks & quaas for 30 seconds --> ran up tree -- stopped on branch for several minutes - unmoving

(2) foraging between trees in fenced in area
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
36H
Hectare: 36H • Shift: AM • Date: 10102018
Hectare
36H
Shift
AM
Date
10102018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrel #1 foraged and found an acorn, went up oak tree. Because this area is hilly with relatively expensive views of the hectare, this is an accurate tally even though I officially observe only one furry friend.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
36I
Hectare: 36I • Shift: PM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
36I
Shift
PM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Observed 1-2 squirrel nests in trees at 102nd and btwn 102-103. Large number feeding just inside the park, including many juveniles (incl. several very small ones). It's a quieter spot w/ few dogs, maybe a blue jay nest, so lots of activity.

I walked past one family and I swear as I went by, the father muttered to the mother "squirrel census."

One squirrel was munching on an entire sandwich. Not clear whether it was found or stolen.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Squirrels Acting
1
Story Topic Census Takers
1
36I
Hectare: 36I • Shift: AM • Date: 10172018
Hectare
36I
Shift
AM
Date
10172018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
It was super quiet, and then around 9:10, I heard all of these kuk-kuk-kuk sounds from the trees.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
36I
Hectare: 36I • Shift: PM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
36I
Shift
PM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrel #4 was eating, and as I approached she left her food and started climbing. She seemed scared. Tons of little brown birds around. Squirrels #1 and #3 started chasing each other and playing. They climbed two trees together super fast and also made lots of kuks and quaas.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
37A
Hectare: 37A • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
37A
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
uneventful; had a group of picnic-ers.

very quiet.

a couple dogs on walks.
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
37A
Hectare: 37A • Shift: AM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
37A
Shift
AM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Discarded red pair of shorts
Story Topic Park Experience
1
37A
Hectare: 37A • Shift: AM • Date: 12102018
Hectare
37A
Shift
AM
Date
12102018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
When I approached, Squirrel #1 ran up the fence, then ran up a tree. I sat down on a lovely boulder, and Squirrel #1 came back down, then vanished into the underbrush.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
37B
Hectare: 37B • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
37B
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
One lone squirrel with his back towards the humans munches without a fear or a care.
Story Topic Squirrel
1