2018 Central Park Squirrel Census - Stories

05I

PM

10082018

Can hear but not see seals barking on the Zoo side. This area is pretty quiet otherwise, because the Zoo is closed for the day.

East side of hectare is all street traffic.

Squirrel #1 seemed threatened by my presence and stared me down for the whole time I was recording it.

In the space between the Arsenal 5th Avenue/64th Street is a tall tree with a plastic bag stuffed in a hole in the tree about 20 feet up — put there by animal?

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06A

PM

10122018

Area is loud and busy. Traffic, both people and motor traffic. Construction, people having dinner, horse-drawn carts, bicycle cabs. Sirens. Very noisy. Joggers.

Dad playing catch with his kids, with a football. Sweet.

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06A

AM

10062018

In each case the squirrels seemed less interested in humans than expected for Central Park squirrels, who are no beggars for human food. While voraciously foraging through the grass, barely a glance to see if I had a bite to offer. Also, I believe they know when dogs are leashed. Little fear of the leashed dog. An oddly silent bunch, given (or because of, perhaps) the constant symphony of the city.

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06B

AM

10122018

Squirrel # did such a wonderful job of safely crossing West Drive -- which is teeming with runners, walkers and bikers at this time. Mr #1 Squirrel seemed very comfortable in his skin (yes -- great anthropomorphising -- sorry) and with his surroundings.

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06B

PM

10172018

Squirrel #2 very interested in me. Took acorn I threw.

Squirrels #4, #5, #6, #7 were playing together around tree base.

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06C

PM

10062018

A lot of people stopped to take pictures of the squirrels and they were completely unfazed. One actually came closer to me and then stood up o its hind legs.

It felt like there were way more squirrels out and about than in the morning. I saw a giant trash bag pile and hoped to see some squirrels there but no such luck. Their standards are much higher. So classy.

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06C

AM

10072018

I approached Squirrel #1 to make his acquaintance. He noticed my intrusion but did not show signs of distress, nor did he phone the neighborhood watch. Parking myself an acorn's drop from his white belly, I stared up at his perch. We held a respectful gaze for about two hours*, he taking in my lowly figure and I paying reverence to his xylem throne. He then motioned to the Labradoodles to the west. I’m nodded. It was time for our revels to end. His agent has since contacted my team to authorize release of the footage.

*45 seconds

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06D

AM

10082018

Squirrels #1, #2, #3 are family, I think! Squirrels #2 and #3 were popping their heads out of a hole in the tree. Squirrel #1 was on top of the hole. It kept staring at me and eventually climb down in approach me, thinking I probably had food.

Father was teaching his daughter how to ride a bike.

A dog walker passed by with four dogs not on leashes.

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06E

PM

10202018

There are people wrapped in wrapping paper north of Squirrel #3.
Squirrel #5 was possibly #1, #2, or #3 again. Ran fast and disappeared.
Accidentally discovered someone peeing in the woods. Their friend, in a loudly colored cloak, was trying to hide there with the cloak, but it really only drew attention.
Squirrels #6 and #7 also may be repeats. They briefly met in tree, didn't fight, one just went back down and ran off.

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1

06E

AM

10142018

Sheep Meadow closed

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06E

PM

10102018

Lovely lady took our group selfie pic… She was from Australia!

My hectare is just along the 68th St. cross-park "highway“ and borders the Sheep Meadow, so it is at once both a quiet place where folks are sitting on blankets – talking, reading, relaxing – and where other folks are walking, strolling, biking cross-park on the paved path, so it’s also moderately busy.

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06F

PM

10082018

Saw a punk rocker getting pic taken in front of Columbus on Columbus Day. He X'd his arms over his head.

Squirrels #1 and #2 look like they are playing tag.

A horse whinnied!

Good hideaway here.

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06F

AM

10062018

The squirrel was scared because there was a marathon and many dogs. But it was very friendly.

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1

06G

AM

10202018

1 People taking pictures of engraved paving stones near Will Shakespeare

2 Woman teaching children to bike

3 Man doing push-ups near William Shakespeare

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06G

PM

10202018

Very busy

A man asked if I was part of the Consensvency. I explained the census/and gave him some buttons. He said I made his day!

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06G

AM

10082018

We heard the "Star-Spangled Banner" from the start of the Columbus Day Parade while we were next to the statue of Columbus.

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06G

AM

10172018

There are manhole covers in the fields.

Thought there'd be more squirrels.

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06H

AM

10082018

People enjoyed watching the sea lions be fed from the periphery of the zoo. Many dogs were off-leash despite it being past 9 a.m. A family from what sounded like Georgia all ate hot dogs for breakfast and little kids were eating sno-cones at a very early hour.

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06H

PM

10202018

This map needs review. A path goes to the rock.
This is a meadow. A proper meadow. Not just a lawn.
"Native Meadow"
Street Performer

This is a major rock and should be named "Sally's Climbing Rock."

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06H

AM

10172018

Lots of tourists in the area and runners and cyclists. One cyclist chastised another, saying repeatedly, “That was very dangerous. Why would you do that.“ A family of tourists passed, with the apparent mom questioning, “What is the school of Juilliard?” And an older teen son responding obstinately, “I’m only interested in the history.“

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Bicyclists

06I

AM

10062018

Saw a rat or mouse @ 66th & 5th
(1) came down tree, foraging for food on rocks, looks very healthy
Scared by a breeze! Went up tree partway

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07A

AM

10062018

- Police cars, taxis parked in driveway. Many dogs on leashes.

- On playground — a few children playing.

- Three big squirrel nests in trees near playground.

- A two-year-old child (human) fell off the slide on the playground and cried ... then laug

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07B

AM

10082018

Wow! Squirrel City! Tavern on the Green a great spot.

Many near Adventure Playground.

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07C

AM

10122018

Sheep Meadow is closed this morning. But as a result, the field is so calm, pristine, and natural. The few squirrels that I did see seemed to know they had the space to themselves. They nibbled, they hopped, they nibbled, they dug, they hopped...with seemingly little care of the world outside the field.

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07C

PM

10202018

We saw three people taking pictures of Squirrel number three! It appeared to be posing. A kid threw a nut at it, and it grabbed it and ran a little way away to eat it.

We saw cool looking mushrooms.

We saw more people taking pictures. We were surprised!

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07D

AM

10062018

The area I was monitoring was mostly open field, bordered by a few London planetrees. There were no squirrels to be seen, and I speculated this might be because the trees do not provide sustenance for the squirrels. Suddenly, I saw one. It was thrashing around like a maniac, but it was kind of far away — visibility was poor. As I made a stealthy approach, the squirrel suddenly broke into two shapes and flew away! It was a couple of starlings in a death match or — it dawned on me — consummating an affair of the heart. No squirrels were seen, but I did begin the composition of my starling romance novel.

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07D

PM

10102018

Hectare fenced out. Lots of dog walkers. Large youth/school event in North Sheep Meadow. Group is “Playworks“-run event. Kickball sporting event.

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07E

PM

10132018

The Sheep Meadow was fenced in and closed off to the general public. All squirrels were in the fenced-in meadow.

The pathway and volleyball courts were busy with pedestrian traffic.

Loud music being played by the volleyball courts.

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07F

PM

10122018

Squirrel #2 ate an acorn and observed me calmly. After about 3 minuted he/she climbed a tree about 3 feet high and perched upside down on the bark staring into space. Squirrel #3 was rapidly digging a hole. I didn’t spot any nuts.

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07F

AM

10082018

#NAME?

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07F

AM

10182018

Zero squirrels

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07G

AM

10102018

Lots of cyclists, little dogs, many tourists speaking different languages. Plus raven (?) calls. Faint construction in background. East Dr. not that busy, handful of joggers. Lots of people walking work. Lawnmower going by around 9:11 a.m. Squirrels #6 and #7 seems smaller but probably not juvenile. They were standing up on two legs a lot while eating. Squirrel #8 also seems smaller. Tour group showing the statues. Squirrel #9 scratching with hind leg.

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07G

PM

10182018

Some kids started chasing Squirrel #1. It ran up a tree.

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07H

AM

10062018

Kai smelled a squirrel up a tree.

Stopped to watch a bee gather nectar.

Found half-eaten acorns. Squirrel leftovers.

Squirrel party! Eight squirrels by a path. Woman taking photos. Two squirrels approached us, and Kai threw acorns to them that he collected. They were disinterested.

Kai threw an acorn and the squirrel jumped in the air and did a 180 while tucking is tail in!

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07H

PM

10062018

Across from the Balto Statue there is a big oak tree. Squirrels #6 and #7 were “playing,” “wrestling.” Then they stopped and threw acorns on our heads! The Mad Bombers. Can hear music from all the way over from bandshell.

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07H

AM

10202018

#NAME?

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07I

AM

10122018

* Construction of playground in process. (much noise)
* No squirrels noted within construction area, including in the trees.
* 5th Ave --> A lot of automobile traffic, noise
* Many birds observed & heard --> NOT PIGEONS, other types (small birds)

NO SQUIRRELS! :(

On my way to hectare 7-I, though, I came across a mother squirrel carrying her baby squirrel in her mouth. There was a brief confrontation (or so it appeared) between the mama squirrel & myself. I allowed her to cross in front of me and she went on her way.

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08A

AM

10132018

It's quiet. Too quiet.

Squirrels #3 and #4 tag and wrestling. Slightly large.

Someone left their purple Harry Potter glasses on the playground.

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08A

PM

10142018

Three possible squirrel nests on acorn tree on southern corner of Central Park West and 68th St. One possible nest on bigger acorn tree on the northern corner, and there’s lots more acorns on the ground near this tree. Acorn trees in the playground area only had one possible nest and not many acorns in playground. I think they must be swept away so the kids can play.

Area is busy with people with their dogs and children. Lots of kids yelling, screaming as they play.

Family of squirrels in tree. Been staying 15 feet or more up in tree after seeing me. They are going through the acorn branches, eating acorns, and to their nest in this tree. Nest is about 30 feet above ground.

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08B

PM

10122018

Busy area. Road full of cyclists, walkers, runners, hot dog carts, moms with babies in strollers. Lots of people relaxing on benches. Cold today, people wearing jackets and scarves. Lots of parents and kids in Tots Playground.

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08B

PM

10202018

We were surprised that there were no squirrels on the east side of West Drive, even though there were oak trees and lots of acorns.

Where we saw Squirrels #1 through #7, a man came and threw nuts for a couple of minutes.

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08B

AM

10182018

Squirrels #1 and #2 are staying right outside a sprinkler.

There must be birdseed on the ground. Lots of birds.

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Birds

08B

AM

10072018

- Area includes Park Drive, which is very busy with bikes and runners.
- Dogs off leash playing.

Near 7th Regiment Memorial is very popular for squirrels and bird foraging.

- On Tots Playground, nine human children, nine human adults.

- No squirrel aro

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Cyclists, Birds

08C

PM

10202018

Sheep Meadow — fairly busy with people sitting, playing frisbee, dogs on leashes. Engagement party/picnic.

Area next to it is smaller lawn/ quiet grove. Oak tree. Seemed like a perfect spot for squirrels, but we didn’t see any. Not even in the trees.

08C

AM

10072018

It is of this author's opinion that no squirrel with half an acorn for brain would voluntarily live in the Mineral Springs Dog Park area. Perhaps due to redlining or other morally bankrupt housing policies, we may someday find a population forced to live here as the only option made available to them. The much more affluent Le Pain Quotidien district lies adjacent, in a stark – but all too familiar — juxtaposition of the privileged and the marginalized.

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08D

AM

10072018

Morning glories on fence along path :) [arrow to last line, which says "Couple taking engagement photos"]

Crossed paths w/ John
Sheep Meadow closed, but was able to look through fence @ places esp. LPQ @ Mineral Springs
No movement in clear green field of grass nor in trees along path edge.
[between the lines: "Saw more in hectare 8E, etc."]
Just got asked, "Are you doing the squirrel census?" T_T
And *I think* I heard a couple [between the lines: "walking their dog"] mention it
Star Spangled Banner and a saxophonist heard from neighboring hectares

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08D

PM

10072018

A boxer was also very interested in the squirrels near area with Squirrels #1, #2, and #4.

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08E

PM

10082018

To the north of the hectare is someone playing disco music for some rollerskaters + rollerbladers who seem to be having an afternoon dance party

For squirrels 1 + 3 a mom w/ a young toddler was trying to lure the squirrels closer by tossing snacks at them

Squirrels 5,6,7 were foraging + seemed to be playing together -- I was a little too far to hear if there were sounds

OVER -->

As I'm leaving the hectare,
Freedom by Aretha Franklin
is playing - The drizzle
has gotten stronger during
the past 20 mis but
the skate dance party is not
letting up

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08E

AM

10132018

Saw people playing volleyball.

Lots of dogs.

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08F

PM

10122018

Squirrel #1 is being photographed by 3 people while eating and watching calmly from a distance of about 4 feet. Squirrel #3 carried an acorn in his/her mouth several paces, dug a hole, and then buried it. Squirrel #7 made 5+ trips in a tree to gather leaves to build a nest. The nest currently looks to be about 1.5x1.5’ and made out of twigs and leaves. Squirrel #8 was eating an acorn in a tree, saw me, ran down onto the ground, and ran away.

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