There are a flock of "wild" parrots in Woodhaven, I see quite often...actually I usually hear them squawking while flying before seeing them...they're very loud...
Wild Quaker Parrots have lived in the Bronx for many years, and have built a substantial colony in Pelham Bay Park (photo-essay) (video). But a lesser-known, albiet thriving colony of wild parrots also lives in another part of the Bronx called Throggs Neck. These parrots are much beloved by the residents of this leafy neighborhood, and have built large nests in and around the Throggs Neck Little League Baseball field. This field is leased on land belonging to the City of New York, and when it came time to replace the lights and electrical infrastructure around the field, the DDC (Department of Design and Construction) was called in to perform the work.
Of course, the parrots' large communal nests, built in the light towers, were in the way, and after much study and consideration, it was decided that the nests had to be removed to ensure the safety of the workers. Fortunately, the DDC has on its staff Barry A. Schwartz, vice-president and secretary of the Maspeth Bird Haven. Long before actual work began, Barry involved many folks who care about wild quakers, including Marc Johnson, Paul Brennan, and Karen Windsor of FosterParrots.com, Donna Dwyer, of CTQuakers.com, Alison Evans-Fragale, of EdgewaterParrots.com, and myself. Barry understood that while the DDC is expert when it comes to big construction projects, the project could benefit from having folks on hand who work with Quakers everyday. This operation also mobilized Mike Pastore, of New York Animal Care & Control.
Very early on the morning of June 7th, a group of 22 gathered at the field, were briefed on the day's operations, and then Barry and Jim of the DDC ascended the rented lift, with Kevin O'Conner's steady hands at the controls. A special probe was inserted into the nest to identify any babies within. The nests were removed very carefully, by hand, to ensure that any babies the probe wouldn't be hurt by a blunt instrument. Recovered baby Quakers were placed gingerly in either a carrier or a Tupperware container, depending on their age. Once the lift came down, these youngsters were placed in cushioned aquarium-style tanks. All of the young had full crops, so no immediate feeding was necessary. All in all, 43 babies, plus 3 eggs, were recovered from four large nests, and all birds and eggs were sped safely away to FosterParrots.com's facility where they will be raised and treated well.
We were all sad to see the Quakers' impressive nests removed, and it was agonizing watching the babies' parents watch as their young were removed from the family hearth. But this kind of major infrastructural improvement only happens once every 30 or 40 years. The latest news is that the birds have already begun rebuilding operations, and they'll have plenty of time to complete their nests (and perhaps breed again) before the cold weather sets in again.
I am very glad to have been associated with this operation and believe it to be a model of the way that municipalities should deal with Quaker Parrot nest removals. By bringing in volunteers, working very carefully, and being prepared, this operation was a complete success. Not an egg was damaged and not a feather was ruffled. These wild parrots have a highly favorable living situation, where their landlords (the Little League) not only tolerate their presence, but celebrate it. They have chosen wisely by choosing a city, and a borough, with a big heart.
