Even though we are between our big migrations, there is still lots to see and experience at Montezuma!! When you enter the Refuge driveway you will notice that the Refuge staff disced (pronounced disked) the Visitors’ Center Wetland. Next week they are going to take care of some invasive plants and will eventually pump water into the unit. Pretty soon it should be a WONDERFUL “restaurant” for shorebirds and other mud lovers! Larue’s Lagoon was also disced. Not to worry, there is still a “pond” in the north end of the unit. The staff is working REALLY hard to get our units in shape for our migrating visitors!! THANK YOU all!! From the Seneca Trail Tower, with a spotting scope, we saw some yellowlegs, killdeer and other shorebirds that were just too far away to identify. Once the VC Wetland and Larue’s are operational, shorebirds should be much closer for viewing.
Yesterday, we first saw the sandhill crane family in Larue’s Lagoon but they quickly walked up and over the dike to Seneca Flats. Once there, they got busy feeding in the shallow water. The chick would hang out very near an adult and readily take food. We saw several turtles around the Drive yesterday. I got a pic of a snapping turtle on the edge of the Drive at Benning Marsh. I guess some are not finished with their task of laying and burying eggs and returning to their preferred locations. So, please continue to be alert for our turtles on or near the Drive, driveways and roads.
We were on the Drive along I-90, I had been checking out a bunch of wood ducks in the Main Pool and was getting ready to continue driving when all of a sudden there was a Virginia Rail on the Drive right in front of our car!! HOLY COW!! I got a really bad pic through the windshield but it was the best I could do before it flew off over the interstate towards May’s Point!! I have heard rails but that was my first sighting this year!! Woohoo!! In that same area I got a picture of an adult common gallinule. Several years ago, a visitor told me that her family identified them by their “candy corn” bill. I have always enjoyed that description and am glad she shared it with me.
May’s Point Observation Deck continues to be fantastic for viewing our baby grebes, coots, gallinules and ducks!! They are much closer than in the Main Pool. The other day, Mike Tetlow found 4 ducklings that he is 99% sure are redhead ducklings!! But there was no female around so he wasn’t totally sure. We saw them yesterday and again there was no female around to guide our identification. He sent my picture off to Jay McGowan for expert help and I will keep you posted! A few years ago, we had redheads nesting in several units on the Refuge. So, every spring when I see redheads hanging around late in the season, I am hopeful they will nest here again. Keep your fingers crossed!!
I have included pictures of a pied-billed grebe adult with a chick and some of the American coot “teens” both taken from the May’s Point Observation Deck.
There is great stuff to see and I hope you can get out soon to explore the Montezuma Wetlands Complex trails, towers and Wildlife Drive. Remember, the Refuge Wildlife Drive is now open to hikers and cyclists as well as cars. Dogs on a leash are only allowed in and around the Visitors’ Center and on the Seneca Trail.
ENJOY the holiday weekend, be respectful and safe.
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