I have noticed an increase of ducks around the Refuge lately, especially mallards and green-winged teal. I was hoping that we might get some unusual birds showing up after the remnants of Hurricane Debby came through last week. I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary Monday or yesterday. However, yesterday, shortly after we surveyed the Wildlife Drive units, a glossy ibis was reported in Benning Marsh and was still being reported today. One of our first-year bald eagles is often in the dead tree on the right side of the Wildlife Drive a short distance north of Seneca Flats (but a good bit south of the spillway).
Pete is going to have another guided walk this Sunday, August 18th at 10am. Future walks are planned for the following dates: 8/24 & 8/31 with additional Walks through September, October and November (dates to be announced). Meet at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Seneca Falls, NY. The Walks are free and no sign-ups are necessary. All ages are welcome.
Remember, 23 more days until the annual Montezuma Muckrace! Gather up your team members and register for a wonderful, exciting 24 hours of birding!! If you register by August 26 your team’s name will be printed on the back of the t-shirts. This year’s shirt will feature the two adorable great horned owlets that captured our hearts and attention earlier this year!!
Additionally, 2 weeks after the Muckrace, on Saturday, September 21, is the Friends’ Native Plant Sale and Festival at the Refuge Visitors’ Center.
2024 “Grow Native: It’s for the Birds!” – Native Plant Festival and Sale
This year’s Grow Native! Native Plant Festival and Sale, sponsored by the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, will focus on the relationship between native plants and native birds. We’ll start off the day at 8:00 am with a guided nature walk around the Visitor Center and Seneca Trail. Krissy Boys from the Cornell Botanic Gardens and Janice Wiles from Doce Lume Farm in Skaneateles will team up for a native landscape presentation in the morning. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Biologist, Linda Ziemba, will follow with a talk outlining efforts being made in managing the marsh for native bird populations. Zeb Strickland from Forest and Water Solutions, LLC. will start off the afternoon addressing the issues of invasive plants. And for our final presentation, Jean Soprano, wildlife rehabilitator and founder of Kindred Kingdoms Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, will talk about her work and introduce visitors to a variety of live birds of prey.
Like last year there will be native plants for sale, a variety of demonstrations, vendors, food trucks, Montezuma Winery, Muranda Cheese, a 50-50 raffle to benefit the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex and more. Please join us for a fun-filled day at the Refuge.
“Come for the flowers, stay for the fun!”
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 parts of the Seneca Trail that are open.
Pic #1: first year bald eagle eating a fish in tree along Wildlife Drive, #2: common gallinule Wildlife Drive, #3: adult osprey in tree by spillway, #4: young osprey in nest Towpath Rd, #5: pied-billed grebes (and 1 duck) seen from May’s Point Observation Deck, #6: snapping turtle “catching a few rays” on muskrat lodge, #7: beautiful ironweed (native) along Wildlife Drive, #8: tall yellow flowers, wingstem (native) along Wildlife Drive.
ENJOY, be respectful and safe.
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