Sorry for the delay of the bird list, I was unable to survey on Tuesday, so we switched it to Wednesday. Even though the glossy ibis had been around for a while, we hadn’t yet been able to document it on an official survey for Linda. Therefore, on the way to Tschache Pool and May’s Point we did a quick survey of Seneca Flats. RATS!! No ibis!! When we came back, we stopped at the VC to see if anyone had seen it. Woohoo, the volunteers said they had been watching it in the VC Wetland!! I got my scope, did a very thorough search and couldn’t find it! Double RATS!! That rascal got away from me again!! Just as I was on the verge of giving up, it appeared out of the vegetation!! GOT IT on an official survey. YAY!! HOLY COW, birding can be tough!

  We were able to see two eaglets in each of two nests at Tschache Pool.  The third nest was obscured by the proliferation of leaves on the trees! But I know that nest is active this year!! There was an adult on the May’s Point nest and one in a tree nearby, but we didn’t see any chicks. Folks have been seeing two eaglets in the nest east of Benning Marsh, not me yet; but I believe them!! Of course, there were hundreds of great blue herons at Tschache Pool.  Soon there will be many, many more when the young fledge! Also, there were a few great egrets that could be seen from Tschache Tower.  There is a funky looking nest in a tree on the south edge of the Tschache parking area. I’m pretty sure it is a red squirrel nest.  It resembled images I found on the internet.

  I’m including pictures of a Canada goose family with goslings and a single gosling on the Wildlife Drive, a wood duck in Benning Marsh, ring-necked duck pair, male Northern pintail, male bufflehead all in the Main Pool, and trumpeter swans in Tschache Pool.

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

ENJOY, be respectful and safe.