There is much to see at Montezuma, especially along the Wildlife Drive. Yesterday and today there have been eBird reports of two American white pelicans in the Main Pool. WOW!! As the receding water concentrates the fish into a smaller area, canvasbacks, ruddy ducks, common mergansers, double crested cormorants, great blue herons, great egrets, gulls and bald eagles are loving it!!  On Sunday, I thought I heard a common gallinule from Tschache Pool Tower, but couldn’t be sure due to the windy conditions.  Since then, others have seen them around and yesterday Pete and I saw several in the Sandhill Crane Unit along Van Dyne Spoor Road. YAY!! We also found several spring flowers and Northern spicebush in bloom along Van Dyne Spoor Road. I learned from Pete that one of the common names for red trillium is also “stinking Benjamin” due to its unpleasant fragrance.

From Pete:

“Transformation”

As Earth orbits the Sun, its Northern Hemisphere leans in more deeply toward its parent star, triggering a marvelous alchemy at the planet’s surface. Energy that has its source deep in the star’s core now finds expression as leaf and flower, bird and beast, invertebrate and fungi, turtle and toad, fish and frog. Join New York State Master Naturalist Volunteer, Pete Saracino, as we explore myriad examples of this wonderful alchemy unfolding. Walks are free and begin at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 10am. Length of walk depends on what we encounter and where we linger, but you can leave as it fits your schedule. Binoculars, appropriate dress and sunscreen are recommended. All ages welcomed. No pets please. Hope to see you there!

Pete Saracino/Refuge Volunteer Naturalist/New York State Master Naturalist Volunteer      Pete’s next guided walk is this Saturday, April 26.

Hopefully, you can get out soon to explore and experience all the amazing Spring things at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex trails, towers and the Refuge Wildlife Drive.  Remember, the Refuge Wildlife Drive is open to vehicles only. Dogs on a leash are only allowed in and around the Visitors’ Center and on the parts of the Seneca Trail that are open.

Pic #1: immature bald eagle flying over great blue herons Main Pool, #2: dunlin Main Pool, #3: muskrat Eaton Marsh, #4: muskrat Wildlife Drive, #5: pied-billed grebe Main Pool, #6: Pete with Northern spicebush, #7: yellow trout lily, red trillium and spring beauties, #8: red trillium and yellow trout lily, #9: ruddy duck Main Pool, #10: yellowlegs Main Pool, #11: snapping turtle.

ENJOY, be respectful and safe.