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The Sparrow in Central Park
It’s May in New York City. The trees are in full bloom, the birds are back from their winter’s journey. And most of all, the people are out and about Central Park. As I walked the Jackie Onassis reservoir, the approximate mile and a half around the path that so many New Yorkers and the more than 37 million visitors walk and run, I noticed two Sparrows building their nest for their new family. When I stopped to watch them, with my binoculars, I decided to give them their names, Bella, and Max.
Sparrows are small and agile birds, weighing between .5 and 1.4 ounces. Their wingspan measures between seven and nine inches. They are known for their brown and gray feathers, which help them blend in with the natural surroundings of the park. Nature has created the Sparrow in a way that protects them from their natural predators.
Central Park is known for its abundant trees. More than 180 different species make up the 20,000 trees or more that fill the park with a beauty not known in many parts of the world. Some of the common species of trees include the American Elm, the London Planetree, the Black Cherry, and of course the Red Maple, just to name a few. Each tree has its own characteristics that provide the park with important benefits for its ecosystem. Visitors are blessed to have the shade and clean air from the trees…
