Cherry Blossom season at Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn not only showcases stunning pink trees but also attracts flocks of monk parakeets, who enjoy the blossoms as a food source. This unique interaction enhances visitation to the cemetery, embraced by its director, Sara Evans. With a history tied to the pet trade, these birds have established a notable presence at the cemetery, where many renowned figures are interred. Their foraging behavior amidst the blossoms creates a colorful spectacle, adding to the beauty of the locale during the springtime.
If the cherry blossom season is getting people excited to visit Greenwood, they're probably going to be even more excited and - just even more surprised to have that sort of engagement with wildlife that might have been unexpected.
We do have a pretty beautiful collection of Japanese cherry trees that really make a show of it. Cherry blossoms are so ephemeral - but the monk parakeets are around year-long.
A significant population took refuge in the cemetery, transforming the nooks and crannies of the Gothic Archway into a bird-sized apartment building that they are "constantly building and maintaining."
I have just seen them nibbling and eating the buds off the cherry blossom trees. Many times you'll see just the monk parakeet foraging for fallen blossoms.
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