We surveyed the Wildlife Drive units, Knox-Marsellus and Puddler Marshes yesterday. Now that the Drive is closed for the season, I hope you will enjoy reading about what is “behind the gate” via my survey.  Actually, most of the Canada geese and swans in the Main Pool were counted from the Seneca Trail Tower!!  Please remember, the Seneca Trail will be open for hiking through Sunday, December 10, 2023.  It will be closed to hiking on Monday, December 11, (open for hunting) but will reopen for hiking on December 20 – 25.  It will close again for hiking (open for hunting) on December 26 through January 1, 2024.

As we traveled along East Road, we found about forty sandhill cranes in a corn field on the west side of the road, toward the south end near North May’s Point Road.  As we were counting them another flock of about 50 cranes flew in and over the crest of the hill toward Route 89. There were also a few sandhill cranes in Avery Grassland (the grassy unit on the east side of East Road). While we were surveying Knox and Puddler more cranes (about 100) in flocks ranging from 2 to about 12, flew from the vicinity of the 31 Mucklands and seemed to go to the west side of East Road.  When we were finished, we drove along Route 89 thinking we would find a couple hundred cranes but only saw a few.  I guess the cranes kept flying and didn’t set down in the cornfield after all.

During our survey we found a few pairs of bald eagles perched in trees.  That is typical for them this time of year.  In a few weeks their breeding season will be underway! The Seneca Trail nest eagles were bringing grasses to the nest in the early afternoon. They seem to be very serious about using that nest to raise young. Only time will tell.

Pic #1: sandhill cranes East Road corn field,  #2: sandhill cranes Avery,  #3: herring gull Main Pool (notice the pink legs and feet!),  #4: transitional immature bald eagle spillway tree,  #5: transitional immature bald eagle spillway tree zoomed in a bit more.

ENJOY, be respectful and safe.