Linda and Pete found over 400 shorebirds in the Main Pool yesterday!!  It appears their southward migration is underway!! They were sharing that area with a large number of ring-billed gulls, almost 100. Pete also saw a northern harrier from the Seneca Trail Tower. WooHoo!!   Several years ago, we would see numerous harriers in many of our units.  We witnessed nesting/breeding behaviors as well. This year our harrier sightings have been few and far between. The Main Pool also had a large number of pied-billed grebes, over 50!!  From Tschache Pool Tower they saw a trumpeter swan family with 4 cygnets.  They also saw some great blue herons and a few black terns.

I’m including pictures of bird’s-foot trefoil, common teasel, and bull thistle. All are non-native yet found in abundance in and around the Wetlands Complex.  There is also a picture of white common yarrow, which is native to North America, YAAAAY!!  All these photos are courtesy of Linda Benedict. THANKS Linda!!!

When you are out exploring the Montezuma Wetlands Complex trails, towers and the Refuge Wildlife Drive see if you can identify these common plants.  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, be respectful and safe.