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
11A
Hectare: 11A • Shift: AM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
11A
Shift
AM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Two women with three schnauzers — the dogs love sitting on the bench but the derpy one is facing the wrong way.

Fat dachshund doesn't like walking uphill. Owner seems concerned about what other dogs might think.

Fluff dog central — two St. Bernards, one Bernese mountain dog, one old English sheepdog, and one Chow/Samoyed mix (a fat Samoyed).

There's always a guitarist at Strawberry Fields but this is the first time I've seen a woman — she's Asian in a purple beret and she's quite good! Five stars.

Sadly, nary a squirrel to be seen.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
11B
Hectare: 11B • Shift: PM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
11B
Shift
PM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Very heavy foot traffic. Squirrels maybe don't like John Lennon tunes?
Story Topic Squirrels Acting
1
11C
Hectare: 11C • Shift: PM • Date: 10182018
Hectare
11C
Shift
PM
Date
10182018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
A squirrel nest sat high on the top floor of a prime real estate tree, but no squirrels to be seen. I turned, then suddenly saw him — an older gray squirrel, long time Upper West Sider, it seems.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
11D
Hectare: 11D • Shift: PM • Date: 10062018
Hectare
11D
Shift
PM
Date
10062018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
As we spotted squirrels 1 and 2, a mama and baby who chased and grooved and nuzzled around a tree, a wedding was unfolding beneath a nearby gazebo. Quietly, we snuck a long the outskirts of the gathered crowd. Once again, we were quiet interlopers as we spotted squirrels 4 and 5. Women in complicated scrappy black lingerie, giant feathered and horned headdresses, and shiny satin robes posed for a photo shoot while the squirrels snacked.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
11D
Hectare: 11D • Shift: AM • Date: 10102018
Hectare
11D
Shift
AM
Date
10102018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
This bench is for Emma, the good dog.

I thought that squirrel and I had a bond. I was just next to its drinking fountain.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
11E
Hectare: 11E • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
11E
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
A man was selling ponchos at the Bethesda
Fountain & singing, "Did you save your money for
a rainy day? That's what my grandmother used
to say."
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
11E
Hectare: 11E • Shift: PM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
11E
Shift
PM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
The area around the front of Bethesda Fountain was very busy. A busker was playing guitar and singing with an amp at the fountain, a couple was having an argument about a stolen credit card PIN while lounging on a blanket near Squirrel #5. All of these squirrels were snacking and looked like they had been for some time — they were Rubenesque! All of the squirrels seemed unperturbed by nearby humans – all have acorns in hand, happily munching unnoticed by humanity. Squirrels #1 through #4 kept themselves evenly spaced and equidistant – sharing the little knoll.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
11F
Hectare: 11F • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
11F
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Lots of tourists and tour groups.
There was a 5k going on through the road.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
11F
Hectare: 11F • Shift: PM • Date: 10062018
Hectare
11F
Shift
PM
Date
10062018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
A large wedding party in navy and cream colors is taking up an entire set of steps. When I eventually walked up the steps past where they have been posing, I noticed it smelled strongly of urine. No squirrels. Too busy a spot most likely, but damn maybe they think the smell is gross, too.

Across the road, a loud percussion band is playing.

Back on the Bethesda Fountain side, I finally see squirrels! One from quite a distance from where I just was.

OK. Done. Lots of people making out in quiet spaces think I’m a creeper now.
11G
Hectare: 11G • Shift: AM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
11G
Shift
AM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Today is the squirrel sighter got caught in some thorns — worth it, though. Found a squirrel!

Breezy and calm autumn morning with lots of joggers passing by. Rumsey Playfield being broken down for the off-season.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
11G
Hectare: 11G • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
11G
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrels stayed pretty close to the woody area. Had to go into the woods to spot first. Squirrel foraged and watched me cautiously. Kept scratching itself with its leg. Two squirrels but possibly one squirrel that covered ground quickly. Lots of runners and horses and buggies.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
11G
Hectare: 11G • Shift: AM • Date: 10192018
Hectare
11G
Shift
AM
Date
10192018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Woman, exhausted from her jog, asked me for the time. (9:04 a.m.)
Story Topic Park Experience
1
11H
Hectare: 11H • Shift: AM • Date: 10102018
Hectare
11H
Shift
AM
Date
10102018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Horse-drawn carriage sighting. Homeless man camped out with the Pilgrim and all his belongings. Hot dog vendor, not too busy just yet.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Other
Horses
11H
Hectare: 11H • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
11H
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrel #1 hopping with nut in his mouth.

Squirrel #2 hopped down from tree.

Squirrel #3 digging holes and planting nuts and eating.

Squirrel #4 climbing a tree and on ground.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
11I
Hectare: 11I • Shift: AM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
11I
Shift
AM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
The tree variety in this hectare was unusually diverse. After a careful study, I’ve conducted that cinnamon colored squirrels with white highlights are the prettiest looking squirrels. The Waldo Hutchins Bench has a sundial and squirrel stonework on its side.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
11I
Hectare: 11I • Shift: AM • Date: 10192018
Hectare
11I
Shift
AM
Date
10192018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
- Terribly calm rat spotted in the brush near the playground. Did not even look up when a spaniel flushed a dozen sparrows near its bench.

- Yet another rat across from the info kiosk.

- THIRD RAT BY MORSE STATUE

- FOURTH RAT BY 72ND

- THIS IS FAR TOO
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
11I
Hectare: 11I • Shift: PM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
11I
Shift
PM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
- Three squirrels come out looking for food at the same time but different trees.

- Squirrels #4 through #6 come out to find food together.

- Squirrel #7 is burying its food.

* A mouse runs randomly to find its food left in the playground.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
12A
Hectare: 12A • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
12A
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
A rat came toward me but then ran away when I tried to take her portrait.

Ohh, that bird is so yellow!

Rat taking garbage from bags as her rightful due, the rat tax.

Shiny rock!

Absolute unit of a golden retriever

The Unceded Rat Lands extend from the gully of the trash station through the thick undergrowth up to the Rustic Overlook ("a space for truth, serenity, and transition, 2001"). Squirrels watch from the opposite bank, unwary. On the Rustic Overlook, two old men smoke weed and talk about their health, also unwary.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
12A
Hectare: 12A • Shift: AM • Date: 10182018
Hectare
12A
Shift
AM
Date
10182018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Stopped by a man wanting to know if I was counting squirrels — he suggested I go to the Ramble. That’s where he feeds squirrels and bluejays every day.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Census Takers
1
12C
Hectare: 12C • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
12C
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Lovely rainy morning
There appear to be no squirrels on the lake's island
The island is approximately 20 feet from the ramble's shoreline. It appears to be roughly 800 square feet. A family of squirrels "could" live there, quite happily, but would most likely begin to feel isolated. Some would turn on each other, while others would begin to build boats.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
12D
Hectare: 12D • Shift: PM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
12D
Shift
PM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Heard quaas but couldn't find the source!
(coming from the trees)
Sun was low, getting darker, few squirrels visible!
One squirrel (#2) seemed to be chewing on a piece of bark while sitting on a branch on a tree and it was making a grinding sound (perhaps grinding his teeth down?)
Story Topic Squirrel
1
12D
Hectare: 12D • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
12D
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
There are a ton of dogs and people, some off leash, some with leashes on. Some of these hunting dogs would easily catch and kill squirrels. This area is also littered with acorns. Well, I finally saw one on my way out. It was on that large green lawn where dog owners let their dogs loose — one squirrel going from tree to tree. I don’t think they like getting wet.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
12D
Hectare: 12D • Shift: AM • Date: 10192018
Hectare
12D
Shift
AM
Date
10192018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
So the squirrels here are lazy today or scared. There’s a cluster of people taking pictures and congregating on Bow Bridge. There are several off-leash dogs (around eight( in the area, some yapping.

There’s a cluster of trees (indicated on map) that have a collection of acorns under them. Looked carefully into these trees – one had a nests (maybe squirrel nest) but no squirrels in view or heard anywhere. Lots of bird calls (small birds) and one call that sounded like from a larger bird (not in view).
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
12E
Hectare: 12E • Shift: AM • Date: 10172018
Hectare
12E
Shift
AM
Date
10172018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Necktie draped over park bench. Someone ditched their day job.
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
12E
Hectare: 12E • Shift: PM • Date: 10182018
Hectare
12E
Shift
PM
Date
10182018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
While brides took their photos at Bethesda Fountain, a young squirrel peeked its head up to see what all the fuss was about while the elder squirrel lounged upside down, hanging by its feet, on the side of a tree.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
12F
Hectare: 12F • Shift: PM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
12F
Shift
PM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
We had a nice conversation w/ a couple who asked us if we were with the squirrel census. They asked us a few questions, which we answered to the best of our ability.

They thanked us for taking time to count the squirrels.
Story Topic Census Takers
1
12F
Hectare: 12F • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
12F
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Dog frightened squirrel. Less birds. Less people! By loud fountain area but weirdly quiet. Squirrel was comfortable. I felt as though it was playing hide and seek with me. Found a dollar
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
12G
Hectare: 12G • Shift: AM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
12G
Shift
AM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Shortly after off leash hours ended, the squirrels started emerging from their hiding spots. One "early bird" squirrel was treed by two hounds.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
12G
Hectare: 12G • Shift: PM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
12G
Shift
PM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrels #1 and #2 playing in tree near picnic house. Squirrel #3 on ground near bushes. Cat bird on tree near. Green lawn with a lot of starlings and squirrels west of 12-G. Additional squirrels outside area. Squirrel dray 40 to 50 feet above ground. Hard to see characteristics of squirrels above ground due to bad light.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
12H
Hectare: 12H • Shift: AM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
12H
Shift
AM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Many people in this area, 100+, dogs 30+, small children, bikers. Kind of noisy because of dog Barks. Dogs running around catching balls. Bird sounds. I paid close attention to the bushes and tall trees further in the grass area. No signs of squirrels either.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
12H
Hectare: 12H • Shift: PM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
12H
Shift
PM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrels #1, #2, #3, a lot of activity, people and birds. Lady feeding them nuts. Birds include blue jays, sparrows. Squirrel #4 eating mushrooms. Squirrel drays above Squirrel #4 in tree, 40 feet above ground. Tree full of sparrows in big round tree. Indigo called it the arguing tree. People picnicking.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
12I
Hectare: 12I • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
12I
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Heard planes overhead. Met a group of students visiting from Mexico. Traffic on 5th Avenue. Saw two more squirrels' nests high up in trees. Dog carrying a tree branch. Very gray cold wet day.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
Story Topic Census Takers
1
12I
Hectare: 12I • Shift: PM • Date: 10172018
Hectare
12I
Shift
PM
Date
10172018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
- Saw a nice pair of socks hanging in a bush, but they weren't my size.

- No squirrel activity at all.

- Lots of nuts and berries on the ground.

- Hectare encloses large mowed lawn.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
13A
Hectare: 13A • Shift: PM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
13A
Shift
PM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Dog scared me by suddenly chasing something while I was looking up in trees
May have been a squirrel

So very busy
Story Topic Dogs
1
13A
Hectare: 13A • Shift: AM • Date: 10172018
Hectare
13A
Shift
AM
Date
10172018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Many dogs still off leash after 9 AM. On behalf of the squirrels, I am offended.

Turns out, the hotdog cards use huge chunks of dry ice. Big brick of one wrapped in Kraft paper and twine, smoking.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
13A
Hectare: 13A • Shift: PM • Date: 10192018
Hectare
13A
Shift
PM
Date
10192018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
This area was very busy, with bike, foot, and force traffic – despite numerous nut-bearing trees, only squirrel (#1) was observed in the open.

Towards the end of the survey period, a hawk (seemingly stooping from the campanile of the San Remo) circled the area — two squirrels (#3 and #4) I was observing in the brush bolted, although they gave no alarm call.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
13B
Hectare: 13B • Shift: PM • Date: 10082018
Hectare
13B
Shift
PM
Date
10082018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
A little boy got off of his scooter right at the incline, leading to scooter sliding away. Fortunately I caught it before it got too far!
Story Topic Park Experience
1
13B
Hectare: 13B • Shift: AM • Date: 10082018
Hectare
13B
Shift
AM
Date
10082018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
High-traffic area — lots of runners — garbage trucks, cars.

Lots of great trees — can't believe I didn't see any squirrels!

Cloudy weather — maybe they are sleeping in with their Nutella bars.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
13C
Hectare: 13C • Shift: AM • Date: 10102018
Hectare
13C
Shift
AM
Date
10102018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
[CROSSED OUT]
3 People filming cardinal on iPads
If you know it takes longer, you know it takes longer
I mean I can pay it. I was just sort of mystified.
Squirrel breaks into my apartment.

[NOT CROSSED OUT]
A guy with a big white mustache & binoculars told me that a squirrel broke into his house. And, in another instance, a raccoon. Later, talking to Nate, I understand this is a story he often tells to squirrel counters.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
13C
Hectare: 13C • Shift: PM • Date: 10192018
Hectare
13C
Shift
PM
Date
10192018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
This very narrow, bramblous strip of land produced a surprising quantity of squirrels -- I observed one very tentatively nibble on some fungus sprouting from a fallen, rotted log.
Squirrel (5) was observed rooting up a cache of acorns and consuming one.

["Bug sacrificed in the name of science" w/ arrow drawn pointing to a smear on the page]
Story Topic Squirrel
1
13D
Hectare: 13D • Shift: AM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
13D
Shift
AM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Someone asked me what I was doing, so I told them squirrel survey. And she replied, "I heard about this. I don't get it."
Story Topic Park Experience
1
13D
Hectare: 13D • Shift: PM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
13D
Shift
PM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
A squirrel stood on a rock and he ate some grass
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
13D
Hectare: 13D • Shift: PM • Date: 10182018
Hectare
13D
Shift
PM
Date
10182018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Not many people in the actual Ramble.

Saw a cat on a leash!
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
14G
Hectare: 14G • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
14G
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrel #1 up in tree.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
13E
Hectare: 13E • Shift: AM • Date: 10172018
Hectare
13E
Shift
AM
Date
10172018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
An older couple passed and the woman asked me if I was counting squirrels. She pointed me toward where she had just seen one --> in the Ramble. The man said he thought it was just one squirrel running around. I told him I said that...but about the chipmunk. Pointed some tourists toward Belvedere Castle using my Area Map. I lost track of a squirrel while helping them.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
13E
Hectare: 13E • Shift: PM • Date: 10082018
Hectare
13E
Shift
PM
Date
10082018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Several nests where I found Squirrels #1 through #7. High up in the birch trees. Where I found Squirrels #8 through #11 there was lots of foraging by both squirrels and birds on the ground plane. Very active area.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
13F
Hectare: 13F • Shift: PM • Date: 10082018
Hectare
13F
Shift
PM
Date
10082018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrel #1 approached me to see if I had food. When he found me lacking, he went back to digging in leaves.

Squirrels #4 and #5 were nearby one another and chased each other up and down a tree and finally across the branches.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
13F
Hectare: 13F • Shift: AM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
13F
Shift
AM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Not many people eating at the Boathouse at start.

Squirrel #1: Climbed upwards, transitioning between many small branches. Very quiet.

Squirrel #2: Walking around on ground floor, periodically digging. Also quiet.

Squirrel #3: Just a five-second sighting! Dog barks in distance starting around 9 a.m.

Squirrel #4: Probably a repeat of #2, still foraging on the ground.

Getting bit by flies in this area. Lots of foot trafficnear Boathouse, but no squirrel sightings around there.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
13G
Hectare: 13G • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
13G
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Lots of blue birds / small birds / dogs
Bad sax-phone playing under arch. No squirrels; lots of acorns. Worried (underlined) Met a sweet old lady w/ a cute dog; was down for the cause.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
13G
Hectare: 13G • Shift: PM • Date: 10082018
Hectare
13G
Shift
PM
Date
10082018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
I was shocked not to find a single squirrel foraging in the outdoor cafe. The robins and starlings were eating like kings on dinner crumbs.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Other
Birds