2018 Central Park Squirrel Census - Stories

13H

PM

10102018

Two women from Amsterdam with bikes admire squirrels (“so cute!“) and ask for directions to fountain (Bethesda).

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13H

PM

10132018

A bluejay! Correction: many bluejays! (at least two)
Dogs abundant off leash
Two tour groups passed

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Birds

13I

PM

10192018

Found squirrels especially behind boathouse. Used a tested squirrel call to attract and some approached me getting very close expecting that I had something to feed them. I was sorry to disappoint them.

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13I

AM

10132018

Rainy, cold day. People are still out walking and ponchos or rain wear. Ducks on the Conservatory water. Saw a squirrel's nest in a tree next to Le Pain Quotidien. Sounds of bluejays calling. Trees have not yet changed colors. No squirrels in sight. :( Fifth Avenue traffic.

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Birds

14A

PM

10142018

Small birds climbing trees in the area
Observed a squirrel in greenery on the ground looking like he was burying something buy he was flailing his arms our - when he noticed us watching he quickly ran to a nearby tree and stopped what he was doing

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14A

AM

10142018

“I don’t know what that is, but don’t be afraid of it.“ – owner's wisdom to dog

“Good boy! Great job! You can do it, you’re doing great. I’M doing great.“ – owner coaching dog on running, I think

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14B

PM

10142018

"Are you counting the squirrel?" a woman asked me from behind. I turned to see a mother with her son, he had a fishing pole and a net as big as his torso (filled with litter, although I couldn't tell if it was theirs or collected).

"I am," I replied, and she went on to tell her son she had read about us. She asked for more, so I explained how I am walking the park, counting and documenting, categorizing and observing the squirrels.

She told her son, "I was thinking this could be something fun for us to try."

OTHER SIDE

I told him it is fun, if you like animals or nature.

He thought for a moment, incredulous, and asked, "Will they ever do a TURTLE census? OR CARP? I would definitely count carp."

His fishing pole bobbed away with his mother, still talking about the fish he could count.

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14B

AM

10072018

Area is extremely busy w/ 2 tour groups at 9 am. Lots and lots of activity with runner + walker + people w/ dogs. Everywhere. Large dogs off leash running wild. #3 lady with black dog off leash. Scared it away. Went up a tree 50-60 high and started jumping from highest branch to highest branch

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14B

PM

10192018

Stumbled upon a wedding ceremony happening by the lake.

Saw some rats in this section.

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14C

AM

10072018

I saw a lot of birds but no squirrels. :(

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Birds

14C

PM

10062018

Saw man calling squirrel successfully. My legs have never hurt more. I am in pain. Cannot focus on squirrels.

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14D

AM

10202018

extremely enthusiastic scavenge hunting afoot
very good german shepherd swimming/romping in rivulet

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14D

AM

10142018

(1) Cloudy left eye
most were foraging and eating
(16) climbed on structure

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14D

PM

10062018

As we entered the hectare, we were met by Sheryl (the squirrel). Sheryl was handing out with her brother, Harold. The two of them (#2 and 3 on the map) foraged together and found many delicious nuts. Eventually, feeling full, Sheryl let out a kuk and she and Harold scurried off back to their cozy squirrel home.

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14E

PM

10172018

- Got identified as a squirrel spotter!

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14E

AM

10082018

* Squirrels #8 and #9 were chasing; #9 chasing #8.

* Squirrel #14 was chasing itself, all alone, in the forest.

* Squirrels and #17 and #18 were snacking on a rock by where the creek flows into the pond.

* The activities of navigating a maze-like path system with a paper map and observing squirrels makes my brain work in a way that feels good to me. I feel refreshed and present with what is happening right now.

* Took 40 minutes to walk through hectare.

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14F

AM

10072018

Nothing of note here. The two pairs of squirrels did some chasing of one another, but that was pretty much the only notable thing I saw.

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14F

PM

10122018

I saw and heard many birds.

Saw five squirrels together, foraging, at the last minute. Chasing as well.

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1

Birds

14F

PM

10192018

Squirrels #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5 approached me when I made squirrel noise I learned growing up in rural area. The area was very hilly and wooded with many side paths that I didn’t have time to explore.

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14G

AM

10122018

Two mounted PEP officers passed by on East Drive, surrounded by a cluster of gawking CitiBikers.

14H

AM

10072018

Many people taking pictures at Alice in Wonderland. More kids than adults. Quieter, less dogs.

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14I

AM

10132018

Many dogs off leash running on the large grassy area. But some very cute dogs in raincoats!

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14I

PM

10182018

More foliage on eastern side of the path. I saw Squirrel #3 twice but was sure it was the same squirrel.

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14I

AM

10202018

Lots of small humans climbing on the statue, and squeaky sounds when they clamber on it.

Plenty of birds chirping, and a falcon or hawk swooped by, fairly close to the tree canopy. Little clusters of people stretching or doing Tai-chi, posing for family portraits, or eating bagels and cream cheese on the benches.

Any time I saw movement — a falling cluster of leaves, birds on the ground — I hoped it was a squirrel! Finally, it was! Squirrel was up in the tree eating and dropping things to the ground.

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14I

PM

10122018

In observing the many activities, a juvenile squirrel was high on the tree and resumed to go inside its home. We also saw a blue jay in the cardinal. We saw very weird trees and plants. We collected a lot of acorns to give to the squirrels. Overall we had a great time counting all the squirrels.

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Birds

15A

AM

10072018

crying children
dogs that look like old men
golf cart?

Comicon (?) attendees appearing to pose w/ a taxidermied fox (?) -- some sort of ritual / photoshoot

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15A

PM

10192018

Squirrel #1 foraging. Gray and chestnut. Looked at me. Young.

Five dogs.

Some areas not accessible via foot. Many small birds on the ground and in the trees.

Two humans in a tree, kissing. They did not appreciate my presence.

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15A

PM

10172018

Saw black squirrel just "north" of hectare.

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15B

AM

10192018

All squirrels found in quieter sections off main walkways that were dense w/ fallen leaves + trees/greenery. Large concentration near the “Triplets Bridge” where there’s a dip in terrain near creek. (quiet) #3 here was so happy + content munching on his breakfast acorn!!

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15B

PM

10172018

- Busy hectare - Squirrel nest - Lots! - Amusing squirrel community!

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15B

AM

10142018

Squirrels #2 and #3 were foraging in a narrow strip between the road + a footpath as the Breast Cancer Walk went by -- both were mostly indifferent to all the people passing by. The younger of the two only ran when a dog showed interest.

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15C

PM

10172018

rat, ducks, geese, large fish, little mouse.
odd weather - got very dark very suddenly.
crows, cardinals, so many birds I don't recognize.
met man who told us about a bee census that lasted 3 yrs -- sponsored by museum of nat'l history.
asters, goldenrod, other wildflowers

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15C

AM

10102018

I found it rather odd that I only sighted three squirrels. Am I wrong assuming this densely forested area would have more?

15D

AM

10072018

3: scratched ear like dog?
acorn may or may not have been deliberately dropped on one census taker's head

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15D

PM

10172018

Mostly men walking by themselves.
A pair of women pushing a stroller were
stopped by a bench. One woman was
on the phone. She was confirming that
they would go get the 6 train.

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15E

PM

10192018

woman enjoying food on rock
quiet foot traffic
beautiful London plane trees!

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15E

PM

10082018

(*) Squirrels 7&8 are eating together, silently

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15E

AM

10132018

Two people/ lots of sparrows and bluejays near ground plane. Quiet! Cold and damp. Light rain.

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Birds

15F

PM

10102018

Many walkers
Some dogs

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15F

AM

10072018

Occasional walkers and dog walkers
Squirrels #1 and #2 startled each other and ran in separate directions
Squirrel #2 kept climbing, Squirrel #1 laid low, both ran away from humans. Squirrel #1 eventually returned and didn't really care about me.
Squirrels #5 and #6 were a sprinting pair.
Squirrel #7 was close to where nuts were dropping from trees!
Tour group in southeast corner! Or, birdwatchers?
Guy was imitating a bird call so well! No squirrels in the area though.

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Birds/Birdwatchers

15G

PM

10192018

An older woman was taking pictures (with a real camera!) of a statue as I went past her -- She told me that she's been walking the same path every day for years + had never noticed the statue until today! She said "isn't it amazing to see something for the first time?" <3

"Is it the standard 'History of Armenia' that everyone [underlined] reads?" - overheard

["Big golden retriever playing fetch (named Mel!)"]

15G

AM

10082018

less dogs joggers & cyclists
pretty quiet
someone reading
(3) chasing (4)

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15G

PM

10062018

I never noticed the sculpture of a hunting wild cat before so I’m glad I was assigned this area! Behind it is densely wooded. Near it I came across a rotted log with some pretty cool round white mushrooms – somewhat marshmallow-esque. I also found a spot where a lot of people apparently come to take a shit. There was much poop-streaked toilet paper here. Squirrels spotted back here were indifferent to it!

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15H

AM

10202018

The green space is pretty empty but the sidewalks/roads have a few people with dogs. The squirrels seem to be chasing each other through the shade. Sunny patches of dried leaves, seemingly not noticing people and dogs. And when they do, they freeze where they are.

One squirrel kept rubbing its face after digging. If was a human would spread lotion on her face. Then continued to bite its back like a grooming cat.

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15H

PM

10192018

Saw kids hunting for dinosaur bones and a couple arguing about whether Bill Pullman is dead or alive at a bench donated in his honor.

Soccer game going on (a small one) right in the middle of the hectare.

Big poodle playing in top right corner.

More dogs and kids playing than in other hectares I've visited so far.

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1

15H

AM

10132018

A dog got very upset when his tennis ball was thrown into a bush.

Little boys in suits riding scooters.

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16I

AM

10192018

This hectare was loud — full of kids! But the squirrels seemed mostly unconcerned.

And, Squirrel #5 came right towards me — I think if I hadn't backed up a bit, it would have come right to me feet. It sat up on its hind legs and looked right at me.

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15H

PM

10082018

Blue jays making a huge racket just west of my hectare. Surely they must be warning of a hawk. Thought for sure I wouldn’t see him squirrels with their alarms but soon as I started found Squirrels #1 and #2 chasing each other up and down trunk of oak tree. Squirrel #1 stopped, and Squirrel #2 continued up and out of sight. Squirrel #1 either stopped to watch me or the blue jays behind me alerted him. A couple of short quaas and then sudden stillness. I moved before it did.

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15I

PM

10202018

The squirrel stood like he was park kangaroo..poised to punch. I was still while he approached. He was the Mike Tyson of hectare 15-I.

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15I

PM

10122018

- the 5th squirrel is finding places to hide its food. It's burying its nut and looks at human for a while to make sure its food is safe.

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