Showing posts with label squirrels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label squirrels. Show all posts

Monday, September 22, 2025

Concern for the squirrels stranded in the East River Park construction zone

Reader-submitted photos 

The northern section of East River Park is now completely closed for gutting (as of Sept. 8), and nearly all of the trees have been cut down. Only a few remain, and they are expected to be removed within a few days.
Longtime resident Anthony Donovan says that about 30 squirrels are gathered near those last trees, surrounded by dust and bare ground off the Sixth Street overpass. (The entrances at 10th Street and Houston are also closed.) 

With the grass dug up and the trees mostly gone, the animals are cut off from food and shelter, per Donovan. The FDR's concrete dividers make it nearly impossible for them to cross safely into other areas.
Donovan took a closer look at the squirrels, attempting to relocate them to greener areas... a more challenging task than anticipated.
Fearing the animals might not survive, the reader submitted a 311 service request to the Parks Department asking for the squirrels to be relocated. 

The agency quickly closed the request, saying the condition was "within acceptable parameters for park/city use." The response noted that Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) will accept injured or sick small animals if brought directly to their East 110th Street drop-off site. Otherwise, residents may seek help from a state-licensed wildlife rehabilitator. 

The resident filed another 311 complaint, noting "Animal-Abuse — Other." This ticket was also quickly closed with the following reply: "The Police Department responded to the complaint and, with the information available, observed no evidence of the violation at that time."

Donovan said of the squirrels, "Here they will soon be dead."
The "phased work operations" for the billion-dollar East Side Coastal Resiliency project in East River Park started in November 2021 within Project Area 1, located between Montgomery Street and 15th Street.

Workers have been covering the park with fill and cutting down hundreds of trees as part of the ESCR project. They are raising the land 8 to 10 feet above sea level to protect the area from future storm surges.

Monday, July 8, 2024

Monday's parting shot

From Tompkins Square Park today... expect to see more splooting squirrels in the days ahead as the heatwave continues

The city has a map of outdoor cooling options (including spray showers and drinking fountains) at Cool It! NYC and a Cool Options map.

Sunday, January 28, 2024

The piebald squirrel of Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Steven 

In recent months, there have been sightings of a squirrel with a dappled mix of white, brown and grey —or maybe you see blue and black. (Jeremiah Moss first shared an image of the squirrel on Instagram in late December). 
 
We don't recall seeing it before then... what's known as a piebald squirrel... Steven took these photos yesterday...
Per AZ Animals: "White squirrels are a genetic rarity caused by either albinism or leucism. Although there are over two million Eastern grey squirrels in North America, piebald — also known as pied or leucistic — squirrels make up a small fraction of the total squirrel population." 

The site says that if you see one, "then you can consider yourself lucky."

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

Squirrel caught in the act while trying to mess with Amelia, one of the resident red-tailed hawks in Tompkins Square Park today...

Saturday, August 13, 2022

Saturday's parting shots (aka, squirrel plays possum in Tompkins Square Park)

Photos by Steven 

Earlier today, some Tompkins Square Parkgoers were concerned that the squirrel in the tree (above!) had died... But! In a moment, the squirrel rolled over and opened its eyes...
Updated:

Thanks to the readers for pointing this out... wasn't sure if splooting occurred in trees as well...

Friday, July 2, 2021

Today in photos of a sparrow and squirrel sharing a loaf of sourdough in Tompkins Square Park

Heading into the Fourth of July holiday weekend with the picnic pic so far of the summer... Goggla spotted the squirrel and sparrow breaking bread in Tompkins Square Park. 

Before the sparrow joined the feast, the squirrel was digging out the insides ...
 

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Friday, July 3, 2020

Local squirrel feeling just peachy



In the periodic squirrels being adorable series, Goggla spotted this scene in Tompkins Squirrel Square Park... a squirrel snacking on an empty cup of diced peaches ...



Some narrative: "He got a little too enthusiastic licking the cup and dropped it, only to go all the way down the tree, pick it up and carry it up to a higher spot...where he dropped it again."

Previously on EV Grieve:
What other photos of squirrels eating things can we post?

Meanwhile, a squirrel with a coconut drink this morning in Tompkins Square Park

• Today in photos of squirrels carb loading in Tompkins Square Park

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Thursday's parting shot



In Tompkins Square Park, Christo, the male red-tailed hawk, busts a squirrel for being sneaky.

Photo by Steven.

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Noted



Apparently Fresh Direct has expanded its delivery service to include squirrels in Tompkins Square Park... photos via EVG Squirrels-Doing-Cute-Things Correspondent Steven...

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

This afternoon in squirrel photos



From Tompkins Square Park today, riachung00 shares this photo of a (the?) blond-tailed squirrel...



... one of the elusive members of the Park's wildlife, a group that includes the black crowned night heron and opossum (and I don't know what happened to the oppossum).

Friday, January 18, 2019

Pre-storm prep in Tompkins Square Park



Ahead of Harper's arrival this weekend, the squirrels of Tompkins Square Park are stocking up on essentials, including peanuts ... peanut butter ... bananas ... pizza ... Hershey's Cocoa ... Toaster Strudel ... coconut drinks ... and don't forget spoons.

Photo today by Derek Berg.

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Looking for a ping-pong partner in Tompkins Square Park



Liking pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts a plus. Photo this afternoon by Steven...

Monday, September 3, 2018

The Squirrel Whisperer



Photos of Naomi in Tompkins Square Park this morning by Steven...

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Thursday's parting shot



A little late to be storing for winter? Photo in Tompkins Square Park today via Steven...

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Thursday's parting shot


[Click on image for a better view]

Photo in Tompkins Square Park by Steven...