March 15, 2026
The Big Dead-Fish Clean-Up
A huge thank you to the volunteers who pitched in yesterday to remove all those dead fish from the Celery…
Nature Done Wright
Incorporating the Celery Farm and Screech Owl Companion blogs
October 12, 2019
Celery Farm Avian Good News, Bad News
The good news is I saw American Wigeon and Northern Shovelers at the Celery Farm today.
The bad news? Julie McCall saw a Dark-eyed Junco.
The swans continue.
5 comments
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For more specific information about Mute Swans and why they are an issue, you can look at this information: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mute_Swan/lifehistory – specifically the Food, Behavior, and Conservation sections.
To sum up: voracious appetite (to the tune of 8 lbs a day per swan, out-competing native species of bird); highly territorial in the breeding season with a large definition of “territory” which is then an issue for our native breeding birds; can displace entire colonies of birds, with some examples being driving off a colony of Black Skimmers, and damaging the nests of Least Terns.
Mute Swans are beautiful and I do love them. I wouldn’t harm one (or any bird). But their impact on the native wildlife is significant, and I would much rather enjoy them in their native range. -
We also had the junco at the Overpeck Park on Thursday.
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Mute Swans are non-native species!
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We walk daily in Celery Farm and are enjoying the beauty of the 5 swans. Can I ask why 5 would be so destructive? There appears to be ample food…..
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5 swans maybe more. Beautiful but destructive. Stunning day at the Farm. Met 3 first time families. One on a country tour, steering clear of NYC and found us online/just passing through. Very special.
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5 comments
julie
For more specific information about Mute Swans and why they are an issue, you can look at this information: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mute_Swan/lifehistory – specifically the Food, Behavior, and Conservation sections.
To sum up: voracious appetite (to the tune of 8 lbs a day per swan, out-competing native species of bird); highly territorial in the breeding season with a large definition of “territory” which is then an issue for our native breeding birds; can displace entire colonies of birds, with some examples being driving off a colony of Black Skimmers, and damaging the nests of Least Terns.
Mute Swans are beautiful and I do love them. I wouldn’t harm one (or any bird). But their impact on the native wildlife is significant, and I would much rather enjoy them in their native range.
Rochana Muenthongchin
We also had the junco at the Overpeck Park on Thursday.
Deedee
Mute Swans are non-native species!
judy Maclennan
We walk daily in Celery Farm and are enjoying the beauty of the 5 swans. Can I ask why 5 would be so destructive? There appears to be ample food…..
Sally
5 swans maybe more. Beautiful but destructive. Stunning day at the Farm. Met 3 first time families. One on a country tour, steering clear of NYC and found us online/just passing through. Very special.