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
30C
Hectare: 30C • Shift: AM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
30C
Shift
AM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
There’s a lot of off-leash large dogs. This may be discouraging for squirrels in this area.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
30D
Hectare: 30D • Shift: AM • Date: 10172018
Hectare
30D
Shift
AM
Date
10172018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
MANY DOGS OFF LEASH
FRIENDLY LADIES (3) WALKING DOGS -- CAN'T BELIEVE I'M COUNTING SQUIRRELS!
Story Topic Dogs
1
30D
Hectare: 30D • Shift: PM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
30D
Shift
PM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrels, it seems, do not care for tennis

Even among the nutty & fruity trees outside the courts, I saw no squirrel activity. I thought perhaps they, like the human spectators, sat still in the trees watching the matches play out, but even at 5 o'clock alarm, when games ended & began , I saw nothing.

I did see two adult cinnamon/gray squirrels eating in the grass in 31-D as I made my way around
Story Topic Squirrel
1
30D
Hectare: 30D • Shift: PM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
30D
Shift
PM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
I’ve seen two prescription bottles but no squirrels yet. :(

I’m excited when I hear a rustle in the trees/grass but disappointed when all I see are sparrows.

So many sparrows. Can this be the Sparrow Census instead?
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Other
Birds
30E
Hectare: 30E • Shift: AM • Date: 10082018
Hectare
30E
Shift
AM
Date
10082018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
A man attempted to enlist his beagle alongside me in the search but the beagle quickly lost interest. Squirrels 2 + 3 were playing with each other, climbing up + down the trees.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
30E
Hectare: 30E • Shift: AM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
30E
Shift
AM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Note: It looks like they are trying to get rid of this car. There is a fence around it.

It is after 9 a.m. but there are still dogs off leash.

The sun is burning through the clouds. Nice morning.

Today is the last day of the count! Zero scores. It’s just too busy for runners and dogs.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
30E
Hectare: 30E • Shift: PM • Date: 10082018
Hectare
30E
Shift
PM
Date
10082018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Too many openings and humans to be very good squirrel habitat, along with the lack of nut-bearing trees.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
30F
Hectare: 30F • Shift: AM • Date: 10192018
Hectare
30F
Shift
AM
Date
10192018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Dead rat.
It's really breezy.
0 (zero)
Story Topic Park Experience
1
30F
Hectare: 30F • Shift: PM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
30F
Shift
PM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Relatively quiet. People lounging, not loud.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
30G
Hectare: 30G • Shift: PM • Date: 10192018
Hectare
30G
Shift
PM
Date
10192018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
It's very windy here.
Zero.
30G
Hectare: 30G • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
30G
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Combo of rains
Small tract size
No observation.

Did spot a well-placed
birds' nest.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other
Birds
30G
Hectare: 30G • Shift: PM • Date: 10102018
Hectare
30G
Shift
PM
Date
10102018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
0 squirrel.

Tiny area (but with one tree that had good squirrel potential)
Story Topic Park Experience
1
30H
Hectare: 30H • Shift: AM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
30H
Shift
AM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Saw two young children fall down on purpose to get their parents' attention and then the parents spent 10 minutes making a big deal out of it.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
30I
Hectare: 30I • Shift: PM • Date: 10062018
Hectare
30I
Shift
PM
Date
10062018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
We saw a tree with almost all red leaves.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
30I
Hectare: 30I • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
30I
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Playground closed.
Surrounded by gate.
No squirrels.

Took about 10 minutes to get out
of park to count section
on 5th Ave. — none.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
31A
Hectare: 31A • Shift: PM • Date: 10172018
Hectare
31A
Shift
PM
Date
10172018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Busy location.
Bus was pulled over on W. 96th with ambulance.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
31A
Hectare: 31A • Shift: PM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
31A
Shift
PM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Kind of hate creeping around the playground with my camera out :(

Wouldn’t expect too many on the “playground island“ – very heavy traffic surrounds

Though the one I spotted was next to the playground.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
31A
Hectare: 31A • Shift: AM • Date: 10102018
Hectare
31A
Shift
AM
Date
10102018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
There were so many birds in this hectare! I saw a bunch of different types, especially one with a red breast (not a robin though) (unless American robins are different from European ones).
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Other
Birds
31A
Hectare: 31A • Shift: PM • Date: 10102018
Hectare
31A
Shift
PM
Date
10102018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Big/huge nest high up in tree. Maybe 25 to 30 feet above ground.

They were climbing above the nest and seemed to be playing.

Really, really loud by playground. Lots of games going on.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
31B
Hectare: 31B • Shift: AM • Date: 10172018
Hectare
31B
Shift
AM
Date
10172018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
MANY DOGS
TENNIS
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
31B
Hectare: 31B • Shift: PM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
31B
Shift
PM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
I saw a one-year-old's birthday party in the park. The baby was completely naked and the parents were taking many photos. They kept saying, "Hey, Bobo."
Story Topic Park Experience
1
31C
Hectare: 31C • Shift: PM • Date: 10102018
Hectare
31C
Shift
PM
Date
10102018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Group of three teens smoking on the side of the large rock.

There was a dude sitting in the thick underbrush of trees. I saw movement and thought it was a squirrel, but I then made eye contact with a human — NOT a squirrel. It was very strange.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
31C
Hectare: 31C • Shift: PM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
31C
Shift
PM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
* Car accident on transverse with police sirens, so may have scared squirrels from path

Also, a homeless man sitting against fence making noises!

* Around 10 dogs off leash around center of hectare.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
31C
Hectare: 31C • Shift: PM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
31C
Shift
PM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
* Car accident on transverse with police sirens, so may have scared squirrels from path

Also, a homeless man sitting against fence making noises!

* Around 10 dogs off leash around center of hectare.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
31C
Hectare: 31C • Shift: AM • Date: 10172018
Hectare
31C
Shift
AM
Date
10172018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
For all the woodland charms of this area, there were far fewer squirrels than expected. Abundant acres went ignored. It was surrounded by the 97th St. Transverse and tennis courts/worker using hedge trimmer, which probably didn’t help. Sole squirrel was spotted with acorn in mouth, so timid that when s/he spotted me s/he froze, tried to back away, and nearly lost grip of the tree because s/he was trying to climb down while watching me.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
31D
Hectare: 31D • Shift: AM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
31D
Shift
AM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Lots of runners & dog walkers
Hear wind blowing through the tree as the sun peeks out of the sky. There are tennis players. Bike riders. Red Breast Robins hopping around. There is a water fountain where runners stop to drink water. That is something I have not seen in a very long time (a working-park water fountain) Hear ambulance in the background. Leaves are starting to change color.
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
31D
Hectare: 31D • Shift: AM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
31D
Shift
AM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
So many doggos!

I walk through this section about four times a week a little later in the day and see many! This is the first "cold" morning. I think they are sleeping in. They are usually in open areas but at this time many dogwalkers. Argh! So many dogs!

One of my trips through this section this summer, I found a dead squiz at the base of a tree. Two others were standing "over" him for a while — I buried him (X on map).
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
31D
Hectare: 31D • Shift: PM • Date: 10062018
Hectare
31D
Shift
PM
Date
10062018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
There were many nests in the trees, but few appeared.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
31E
Hectare: 31E • Shift: PM • Date: 10062018
Hectare
31E
Shift
PM
Date
10062018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
They appeared in bunches. There were none, and then, suddenly, they came down from their trees.
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
31E
Hectare: 31E • Shift: AM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
31E
Shift
AM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Loud sounds from adjacent tennis courts

lots of birds calling

big group of dogs here

lots of birds in bushes

no squirrels out in open
maybe because many dogs around and off leash even after 9 a.m.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Other
Birds
31E
Hectare: 31E • Shift: AM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
31E
Shift
AM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Dogs on leashes, mainly.
Loud bluejays.
Story Topic Dogs
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Other
Birds
31F
Hectare: 31F • Shift: AM • Date: 10202018
Hectare
31F
Shift
AM
Date
10202018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
A group of bike riders. There is a man exercising, connecting with nature.
Hear a helicopter over my head. Tennis court are here and full of player.
Hear bird call of a Blue Jay. Lot of people strolling through the park walking their dogs or conversing
Hot Dog vendor near by.
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
31F
Hectare: 31F • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
31F
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Lots of off-leash dogs
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
31G
Hectare: 31G • Shift: PM • Date: 10072018
Hectare
31G
Shift
PM
Date
10072018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Squirrel spotted after two dogs alerted me to its presence on a tree.

Squirrel froze to avoid further attention.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
31G
Hectare: 31G • Shift: AM • Date: 10192018
Hectare
31G
Shift
AM
Date
10192018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
It’s after 9 a.m., but there are several dogs off each. I am also off leash, so I imagine we are just about equal in that regard.

I am standing next to lamp Post 9618. Once upon a time that meant something. “Hello police! I am next to 9618! Save me!”

“On the way!“ – The police

There are pros out there that know where 9618 is. They know where every lamppost is.

“Hey Sarah. 9618 has a burnt ball.“

“On it,“ Is what Sarah would say. Thanks, Sarah!

<--- This fence does not jive with reality and needs to be reviewed.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
31H
Hectare: 31H • Shift: PM • Date: 10082018
Hectare
31H
Shift
PM
Date
10082018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Dirt path is fenced off now.

Really busy – many people getting off work? Also a dog run nearby; noisy on the transverse side.

Squirrels #3 and #4 were tag teaming in a tree — three up top, four lower to ground.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
31H
Hectare: 31H • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
31H
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Not one!
31I
Hectare: 31I • Shift: AM • Date: 10122018
Hectare
31I
Shift
AM
Date
10122018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Found zero squirrels. Got lost in North Meadow.

Next to construction zone, playground closed.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
31I
Hectare: 31I • Shift: PM • Date: 10192018
Hectare
31I
Shift
PM
Date
10192018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Lots of scaffolding/fencing around — in addition to the different path heights, this zone is pretty tricky to find.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
32A
Hectare: 32A • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
32A
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
1 - Extremely scampery.
name: yohan
2 - No tail! Seems sad!
name: shlomo
3 - name: hazel
4/5 - These squirrels are friends.
names: Rosencrantz and Louis
Story Topic Squirrel
1
32A
Hectare: 32A • Shift: AM • Date: 10182018
Hectare
32A
Shift
AM
Date
10182018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Chasing birds and chattering
Story Topic Squirrel
1
32B
Hectare: 32B • Shift: PM • Date: 10192018
Hectare
32B
Shift
PM
Date
10192018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
- Was stopped by 2 men from China asking for directions to Strawberry Fields

- About 3 different dog walkers let their pets charge @ squirrels

- Noticed a squirrel pulling new leaves into a tree hole while a couple biking on the west drive rested again
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
32B
Hectare: 32B • Shift: PM • Date: 10102018
Hectare
32B
Shift
PM
Date
10102018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Saw a chipmunk in
the brush alongside
the transverse highway
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Accidental Poems
1
32B
Hectare: 32B • Shift: PM • Date: 10182018
Hectare
32B
Shift
PM
Date
10182018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Area had great mix of tall trees — lots of drays in beginnings of construction. But I did not actively see squirrels bringing nesting material today. All were concentrated on food, I guess.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
32B
Hectare: 32B • Shift: AM • Date: 10172018
Hectare
32B
Shift
AM
Date
10172018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
It’s a busy morning. Dogs run around off leash. Their people run or walk nearby. Traffic flows consistently along the Transverse. Park crews run lawnmowers and weed whackers. A man sets up a wooden easel and starts to paint.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
32C
Hectare: 32C • Shift: PM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
32C
Shift
PM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Beagle baying, baying, baying. Person walking the beagle was wearing a scarf over her face and the leash was attached to her fanny pack.

Two women rehearsing a play.

Clouds moving fast across the sky.
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
32C
Hectare: 32C • Shift: AM • Date: 10142018
Hectare
32C
Shift
AM
Date
10142018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
Breast Cancer Walk with lots of people. Woman yelling, "Charlie!" trying to find her white Lab.

Squirrels #2 and #3 together.

Many squirrels in a bushy tree area here.

Woman holding dachshund up to the water fountain to drink. :) Man massaging his Lab with a roller massage tool on the dog's belly. :) Another man with another dog taking a photo of that from far away. Now they are talking to each other.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1
Story Topic Dogs
1
32D
Hectare: 32D • Shift: AM • Date: 10132018
Hectare
32D
Shift
AM
Date
10132018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
#6 was very curious when we approached. He ate a peanut and a mushroom. Lots of tail twitching.

Whenever we approached the squirrels, they would circle around us as opposed to approach us head on.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
32D
Hectare: 32D • Shift: PM • Date: 10062018
Hectare
32D
Shift
PM
Date
10062018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
I saw nine squirrels on the ground near the tennis wall. They all looked small and young. They all searched or ate chestnut on the ground among birds. The smallest one did not scared at all. It stood on hind legs and watched me.
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Other Animals
1
Story Topic Other
Birds
32D
Hectare: 32D • Shift: PM • Date: 10192018
Hectare
32D
Shift
PM
Date
10192018
Note Squirrel Park Stories
#NAME?
Story Topic Squirrel
1
Story Topic Park Experience
1