How To Keep Rosie The Roosevelt Island Turkey Safe From Car Traffic As She Crosses Main Street?

The folks at Manhattan Bird Alert are concerned for the safety of Rosie (A/K/A Astoria) the Roosevelt Island wild Turkey. 

Astoria the Wild Turkey climbs up from her below-street-level hideaway on Roosevelt Island. 🦃 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mfnMGnuSJS

— Manhattan Bird Alert (@BirdCentralPark) August 26, 2024

According to a message they sent to me:

We wanted to raise a concern about the Turkey that you might be able to address. Astoria crosses streets every day and that is a bit dangerous. She sometimes appears to wait for traffic to move through. Sometimes people help her make it across safely. And the speed limit is low. 15 mph we believe. All good things.

Maybe you have some ideas on how to make her life even safer. Signage perhaps? Encouraging local drivers to watch out for her? Encouraging pedestrians to help her when she is near the road?

I recommended contacting the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) about any signage or other measures to keep Rosie the Turkey safe.

This afternoon, Rosie was spotted crossing Main Street from Blackwell Park to the Rivercross lawn as cars waited for her to get onto the sidewalk.

Also today, a Roosevelt Island tipster shares these photos of the Canadian Geese stopping Main Street traffic. According to the Tipster:

This traffic jam made me laugh. 

A lady had to get out of the car to shoo them away.

They wouldn't budge.

Here's more of Rosie exploring Roosevelt Island and crossing streets.

Any ideas?

It appears that there are still some people harassing Rosie.

I just had to yell at some tourists to stop chasing the Roosevelt Island turkey. Not on my watch yo. https://t.co/QaHoM8r0Aa

— TCI (@timecrystalsinc) August 29, 2024

Man Tries To Snatch Egg From Roosevelt Island Canadian Goose Nest Near FDR Park And Kills Gander Defending The Nest

Canadian Geese can be found roaming all over Roosevelt Island.

For the most part, the geese and humans peacefully coexist on Roosevelt Island but that was not the case recently as reported by Roosevelt Island resident Micheline Hess on April 11:

Yesterday I was down near Four Freedoms Park and I noticed a goose that was sitting on a clutch of eggs out on the rocks by the water.

I went and told the woman who manages the cat compound because sometimes she moves the nests when they’re too exposed and the geese seem to trust her.

She told me she was aware of that nest, and went on to tell me about how recently, a grown-ass man approached that very nest and tried to snatch an egg from it. When the male goose ( gander?) attacked this man, he kicked it and then beat it with a large stick, ultimately killing it. The female is still on the nest.

I know a lot of folks dislike them because they poop everywhere and sometimes slow down traffic, but they don’t deserve to be harassed or hurt.

If you happen to see anyone hassling them, please harness your inner Karen or Ken and call these people out.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Roosevelt (@rooseveltislander)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Roosevelt (@rooseveltislander)

Ms Hess is an artist who curated the recent Black History Month exhibition at RIVAA Gallery.

Canadian Geese Exploring Middle Of Roosevelt Island, Strolling Main Street And Munching And Pooping On Rivercross Lawn - Some Residents Find It Disgusting, Others Defend Geese And Say Let Them Be

Canadian Geese are usually seen in the south of Roosevelt Island. Recently the Geese have been exploring the middle of Roosevelt Island strolling along Main Street. Also, munching and pooping on the Rivercross Lawn.

According to one resident not happy with the roving geese on the Rivercross Lawn:  

They’ve been there for a few weeks. I literally have no idea why they migrated there… We need to get some scarecrows or something because they’re just disgusting. And there’s literally their feces all over. As the weather is warming up Meditation Steps lawn is literally covered in goose crap. It’s going to be unusable. Even more ironic is you’re not supposed to let your dog use the bathroom on it.

On Saturday, a Roosevelt Islander Instagram post video showed the roaming geese on the Rivercross Lawn and the resident's quote. Comments included:

• Hopefully you’re not going to make them get rid of the geese now because they poop 🙄 feels like you ruin the island more than anyone with your drama filled headlines
• Agreed. Rather than sensationalized headlines and negative stories how about using this medium for positive rather than so much complaining.
• RIOC has destroyed their Southtown habitat, so they have to go somewhere. They're part of RI as much as the lighthouse or Blackwell House. Let them be!
• They should be left alone, development of the south end of the island has taken away much of their natural habitat.
• They are poopetrators but I love them so much
• Drama filled headlines? The headline says “Today By Rivercross Lawn”. It’s a statement of fact, no drama.
• Thanks for the statement of fact. The Rivercross lawn is meant for children to play, teachers to bring little ones to sit in a circle and the public to spread their blankets and relax. Hence it’s not a dog run. But the geese do make a mess.

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A post shared by Roosevelt (@rooseveltislander)

Hey, don't blame the messenger.

Canadian Geese Exploring More Of Roosevelt Island This Weekend - Chowing Down For Grass Lunch On Riverwalk Commons, On Way To Subway And Leave Droppings All Over Sidewalks

Canadian Geese exploring more of Roosevelt Island yesterday. One on way to subway. Geese droppings all over sidewalk

View this post on Instagram

Canadian Geese exploring more of Roosevelt Island today. One on way to subway. Geese droppings all over sidewalk.

A post shared by @ rooseveltislander on Aug 15, 2020 at 2:02pm PDT

Today, Canadian Geese exploring more of Roosevelt Island. Chowing down for lunch on the Riverwalk Commons grass.

View this post on Instagram

Canadian Geese exploring more of Roosevelt Island. Chowing down for lunch on the Riverwalk Commons grass.

A post shared by @ rooseveltislander on Aug 16, 2020 at 11:05am PDT

Readers comments:

• Think of this for a minute, wildlife lived on RI way before humans ever did so I wonder if the wildlife has hate for humans for destroying their nesting grounds and homes or finds humans and their condos in the way? I bet wildlife may not be a fan of us. Btw I have seen worse things on the sidewalk.
• When it’s wet and people are inside hiding these guys will always come out. RI needs a few pooches like the Governor’s Island Working Dogs to scare them away.
• Don’t blame the dogs for their massive poops

Roosevelt Island Geese With Baby Goslings Take A Stroll Near Southpoint Park - Wildlife Needs To Walk Around Too

A family of Geese with baby Goslings were strolling Roosevelt Island the other day

The #rooseveltisland goslings' yellow coats are starting to show the gray they'll have as adults pic.twitter.com/pjENmqGnC7

— MusicByMoose (@MusicByMoose) April 24, 2020

and resident Moose shares this up close video of our wildlife neighbors.

Goslings on Roosevelt Island

Oh, to be a young gosling again! Every spring we have a new batch of baby geese come to Roosevelt Island near Southpoint Park. Here are a few videos my wife took of the latest bunch on her morning walks. Don't worry--she kept her distance! It just looks close up because of zooming & cropping.

Here's more on Roosevelt Island wildlife.

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Has Cute Wildlife - Baby Goose Snacking At Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital Today

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

This baby Canada Goose already is grazing like a champion, at Renwick Ruins on Roosevelt Island today 🎥: @FastMiler pic.twitter.com/8SsKekEhOp

— Manhattan Bird Alert (@BirdCentralPark) May 30, 2019

Cornell Tech Campus Tata Innovation Center Start Up Culture Attracting Roosevelt Island Wildlife - Canadian Geese Knocking On Door

This afternoon in front of the Tata Innovation Center on the Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech campus, visiting Canadian Geese were taking a lunch break.

According to the Tata Innovation Center:

Overview

Startup culture is the lifeblood of Cornell Tech, where academia and industry collide. In a first-of-its-kind building, the Tata Innovation Center houses recent Cornell Tech students hustling to commercialize a new idea, start-ups on the verge of explosive growth, established companies developing leading-edge technologies and products, as well as academic teams conducting groundbreaking research. The Tata Innovation Center was developed in partnership with Forest City Ratner Companies.

Art

The Tata Innovation Center hosts art exhibitions as well as permanent installations, including the WPA-era abstract mural painted by artist Albert Swinden for the Goldwater Hospital, the building that was on the campus site from 1939-2014. Avant-garde when painted in 1942, the restored Swinden mural serves as an inspirational link to the innovations that modernism wrought...

More on the Tata Innovation Center at their web site.

And more Roosevelt Island Canadian Geese.

Family Of Geese Take A Southpoint Park Stroll On Roosevelt Island East River Waterfront

I'm at Roosevelt Island in New York, NY https://t.co/buFW3jwhxr pic.twitter.com/nCkVzEFCFV

— Netta Kivilis (@nettak) April 28, 2018

Geese Making Home For Themselves At Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Campus & Adjacent Road - Rider Gets Off Red Bus To Shoo Away Huge Geese On Street So Bus May Pass

The new Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech school has not only attracted residents, tourists and Tech Leaders to it's beautiful new campus, but a large number of Canadian Geese appear to have found a new home there too. Here's just a few of the Geese I saw on the Cornell Tech campus last Saturday.

Roosevelt Island long-timer, Nina Lublin, who has:

... likely seen & heard just about everything transportation &/or pedestrian safety-related issue here on RI...

shares this message she sent to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Transportation Director Cy Opperman last Saturday evening about the geese:

Well, thought you could use a good laugh tonight -- and please do not get mad at either the driver or me. Everything we did was careful & safe.

Coming north on the West Channel Rd just north of Southpoint Park & before the Cornell Cafe, the road was blocked by about 15-20 or so of the biggest Canadian geese I've ever seen on RI.

Our driver slowed to a crawl, then stopped completely, & honked his horn gently a few times, but the geese would not budge to either side.

He then carefully stopped the bus, I jumped off & started shooing them to one side. Easier said than done. But after about 2 minutes, I cleared the roadway, got back on the bus, he thanked me& we proceeded.

It being RI, of course there were visitors on the promenade watching & taking pix w. their phones, but not helping. I may be somewhere in the Twitterverse -- or worse.

Also, be careful where you walk on the Cornell Tech campus grounds, particularly the hilly meadow area - goose droppings everywhere.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society Visitors Center Kiosk Welcomes All - Geese Too

Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) Visitors Center Kiosk receives all kinds of guests. RIHS President Judy Berdy shares these photos

of visiting Canadian Geese

and other guests admiring the newly planted flowers

courtesy of the Roosevelt Island Garden Club.

RIHS has a part time job available at the Visitors Center Kiosk if you are knowledgeable about Roosevelt Island and enjoy customer service.

Adventures Of A Roosevelt Island Canadian Duck Family, East River Swimming And Southpoint Park Exploring - But One Kid Will Always Runs Back To Mom For Help

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

Parents and children of Canada Goose in Roosevelt Island
カナダグースの親子#RooseveltIsland #NYC pic.twitter.com/8Hfl0joGmB

— One of Bird Watcher in central park (@maldives2525) May 10, 2017

Parents and children of Canada Goose in Roosevelt Island
カナダグースの親子#RooseveltIsland #NYC pic.twitter.com/ym9gt244cQ

— One of Bird Watcher in central park (@maldives2525) May 10, 2017

One kid's always gotta run back to mom for help https://t.co/93eE4Z8uMb pic.twitter.com/DaOf7T6MkM

— Nick Turner (@NewsyNick) May 8, 2017

Yep, right in front of Strecker pic.twitter.com/AP8NnYqZLw

— Nick Turner (@NewsyNick) May 10, 2017

UPDATE 8:45 PM:

March of Canada Goose #rooseveltisland #NYC pic.twitter.com/R4LMcSKdaH

— One of Bird Watcher in central park (@maldives2525) May 11, 2017

A Man And His Dog Enjoy Walk On Roosevelt Island Waterfront Promenade - Isolation, Urban & Nature All Together, But Goose Poop Too

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

Watching boat traffic w/ #peteypiro is some nice procrastination @ Roosevelt Island https://t.co/qWIxapLy2R

— ScottyP (@scottpiro) March 27, 2017

Watching boat traffic w/ #peteypiro is some nice procrastination

A post shared by ScottyP (@scottpiro) on Mar 27, 2017 at 1:47pm PDT

Geese chatterboxes @ Roosevelt Island https://t.co/bXVinxt8n3

— ScottyP (@scottpiro) March 27, 2017

Geese chatterboxes

A post shared by ScottyP (@scottpiro) on Mar 27, 2017 at 1:31pm PDT

Roosevelt Island Frisbee Players Share Firefighters Field With Flock Of Geese

Click full screen icon for better view.

UPDATE 8/23 - The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reacts:

@scottie_douglas don't think there's equivalency. Owners obeying regulations can keep dogs off the fields. How do you keep geese off field?

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) August 23, 2016

@Rooseveltisland that's my point. People fuss over dogs/ignore geese & squirrels who create uncontrollable messes.

— scottie douglas (@scottie_douglas) August 23, 2016

Gaggle Of Geese Stroll Roosevelt Island Promenade Enjoying Amazing Views Of Manhattan

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

Geese invasion in Roosevelt Island NY. pic.twitter.com/NuhM6DiIaG

— Dr Cisse (@cisse62) May 5, 2016

Even the geese are taken aback by the amazing views of #Manhattan from #RooseveltIsland https://t.co/TM8ItgMHuX

— Michael Buitrago (@MrMichaelGerman) May 5, 2016

Double Dating With A Pair Of Canadian Geese At The Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

Went on a double date to Roosevelt Island #CanadaGoose #Geese #RooseveltIsland @Rooseveltisland pic.twitter.com/RXuORG1Hn4

— Jess (@earlyelliott) April 8, 2016

Have fun together.

It's Getting Get Cold - Time For Roosevelt Island Geese To Start Heading South

From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse

About time to go south, boys and girls. @ Roosevelt Island https://t.co/GU87SGGyL0

— JoelCanfield (@JoelCanfield) November 24, 2015

About time to go south, boys and girls.

A photo posted by Joel Canfield (@joelcanfield777) on Nov 24, 2015 at 10:32am PST

The Wonderful World Of Roosevelt Island Wildlife - Boris The Turtle And A Flock Of Geese

From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse.

Boris and the city. Took my tortoise out for a walk on Roosevelt Island. #NYC #Tortoise #RussianTortoise #Boris pic.twitter.com/cyrfK7RMJn

— Andrea Pearson (@saturn2169) September 18, 2015

Geese crossing @ Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park https://t.co/xJKEjfr2Uu

— ScottyP (@scottpiro) September 19, 2015

Geese crossing

A video posted by ScottyP (@scottpiro) on Sep 19, 2015 at 10:51am PDT

How Cute - Resourceful Roosevelt Island Geese Don't Let Cornell Tech Construction Gate Block Their Journey, They Duck And Find A Way

These Roosevelt Island geese don't let a Cornell Tech construction gate stop them from their journey. They go under the gate and if one can't fit, another way is found.



Where there's a will, there's a way.

Roosevelt Island Wildlife - Up Close And Personal With Firefighters Field Geese

Image From Jean-Philippe Rebuffet de la Gallais You Tube Video

Roosevelt Island certainly has its share of wildlife not ordinarily seen in New York City.

Last week, we saw a red tail hawk lunching on a rat at the waterfront promenade pier and tonight we get up close and personal with Wild Geese dining at Firefighters Field.



Safari anyone?

Wild Kingdom Comes To Roosevelt Island, Watch Angeliea Hang Out With A Gaggle Of Roosevelt Island Geese - She Fits Right In On The Ground But Can She Migrate In Flight With The Flock

Hey, you ever want to fit in with a Gaggle Of Roosevelt Island Geese? Roosevelt Island resident Ragan Rhodes shows us how her friend Angeliea Stark blends in with our Roosevelt Island geese on the Queens side of Goldwater Hospital.

Enjoy.



Now if Angeliea can migrate in flight with the Flock of Geese, that would be INCREDIBLE!!!