Yesterday we surveyed from Tschache Pool service road, the May’s Point Observation Deck, East Road Overlook and along Van Dyne Spoor Road.  Tschache Pool had way less water, as the Refuge staff is in the process of removing water for some structure repairs and we haven’t had any significant rainfall since last Monday.  At Tschache the great egrets are back in abundance.  They are much easier to count than the great blues as they REALLY stand out in the marsh! Way in the back part of Tschache Pool we found what I believe is 5-year-old bald eagle going through final molting to full adult plumage.  I was able to zoom in the trumpeter swan family, the parents and one adult in a yoga pose.  When I see a swan balancing on one leg I always smile and think it absolutely defies the laws of physics! But they do it often and are able to remain upright and perfectly balanced!! Truth be told, I’m probably jealous that I can’t do that for very long before I have to put my other foot down!  I was finally able to get a picture of a juvenile Caspian tern.  Compared with adults, their cap appears to be more gray than black, their bill appears more yellow-orange than bright red-orange and they usually have lots of brown feathers on their back and wings whereas adults appear white/light gray in those areas.  At Tschache we also found areas with elderberries in various stages of maturity and button bush. Both are natives that provide great nutrition for our wildlife and pollinators!  Both are also found along the Wildlife Drive and other areas on the Refuge.

  At the Sandhill Crane Unit we again saw the large American coot clan at the far end!! If you check out the first picture and even enlarge it, you can see the parents with the bright white bills and the kids with the grayish bills. 

 I’m including a picture of a nest that I found toward the end of the boardwalk leading to the May’s Point Observation Deck, on the west side (right side facing the unit).  I’m pretty sure it is a red-winged blackbird nest that appears empty.  I’m thinking, how in the world did we not notice noisy red-wings raising young in it before now? HOLY COW!!

   I have an update from Christina at the DEC this time. “Here at Northern Montezuma WMA, we’re currently making our fall mowing plans, scouting for duck banding opportunities, and have just wrapped up water chestnut control and grassland bird surveys. One highlight is that we are suddenly (relatively) overrun with Sedge Wrens, who have taken up residence at restored grasslands around the MAC and near the DEC office. These birds are in easily-accessible areas so interested folks shouldn’t have too much trouble finding them. Sedge Wrens are late breeders in New York, and difficult to predict, so this is a great chance to see and hear this charismatic little bird if you never have before.”  Thank you, Christina for the update and picture!! 

 Remember this week’s sound challenge is the green heron.  Go to Merlin, select “Explore” at the bottom, touch the search icon and type in green heron.  The last choice, “flight calls” is normally what I hear, alerting me to their presence.

  Hopefully, you can get out soon to explore the REALLY COOL and BEAUTIFUL things at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex trails, towers and the Refuge Wildlife Drive. 

  I ended up with a lot of pictures this time, I hope it is not too many.  I had good weather conditions and very cooperative birds yesterday.

Pic #1: great egrets Tschache Pool, #2: great egrets Tschache Pool, #3: great egrets Tschache Pool, #4: bald eagle in molt Tschache Pool, #5: bald eagle in molt Tschache Pool, #6: trumpeter swan family Tschache Pool, #7: trumpeter swan parents Tschache Pool, #8: trumpeter swan yoga pose Tschache Pool, #9: juvenile Caspian tern Tschache Pool, #10: elderberries, #11: elderberries, #12: elderberries, #13: button bush, #14: American coots Sandhill Crane Unit, #15: American coots Sandhill Crane Unit, #16: nest at May’s Observation Deck, #17: sedge wren, courtesy Christina Hoh, NYSDEC, #18: adult bald eagle Tschache Pool, #19: osprey Tschache Pool, #20: cedar waxwing Sandhill Crane Unit, #21: belted kingfisher Tschache Pool.

ENJOY, be respectful and safe.