I am back from an amazing trip to Alaska! HOLY COW, such vastness and rugged splendor!! But there is much to see at the Wetlands Complex!!  Even though Montezuma is a migratory stopover, now that we are into summer, we still have great things to see, hear and experience! We have babies – pied-billed grebes, common gallinules and American coots.  Some folks are still seeing the crane chicks getting bigger and bigger! Many of our Canada goose goslings are looking like miniature versions of their parents. And there are still plenty of young great blue herons in the nests seen from Tschache Pool Tower or even from the ground next to the tower.  In the tree by the spillway, I saw a first-year bald eagle and an adult.  The young one was giving a pitiful begging call and I couldn’t help but think the parent was saying, “go ahead, go fishing, you can do it!!”  Apparently, June brought much rain and heat so the vegetation is high and dense in many areas.  Be sure to check out the great number of lovely plants that are blooming, providing nourishment for dozens of pollinator species!! Our Esker Brook and South Spring Pool trails are “birdy” with nesting songbirds. There also is lots of bird food (mosquitoes) in those areas.  You may want insect repellent to help you enjoy the trails.

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. Currently, the Wildlife Drive is only open for vehicles,

Pic #1: adult bald eagle spillway tree, #2: adult and first year bald eagles spillway tree, #3: first year bald eagle spillway tree, #4: first year bald eagle Tschache Pool, #5: “teenage” Canada geese Wildlife Drive, #6: mostly young great blue herons in nests at Tschache Pool, #7: “teenage” wood duck ducklings Main Pool.

ENJOY, be respectful and safe.

As a reminder, I am going to include Andrea’s message to visitors that I shared in the last posting:

Seneca Trail Closed During Nesting Season/Vehicles Only on the Wildlife Drive

The Seneca Trail is now closed just past the public restrooms in order to abide by New York State wildlife protection laws.

The Wildlife Drive will remain a “Vehicles Only” trail throughout the summer/bald eagle nesting season. Walking/Jogging and bicycling on the are not permitted. 

A family of great-horned owls and a family of bald eagles each have “babies” in the vicinity of the Seneca Trail and Wildlife Drive. These youngsters are still growing and learning to fly. This keeps them close to their nesting sites. Because of this, temporarily closing the area to visitors is necessary to cooperate with state laws and to give these birds the security they need to thrive. Please note and abide by closure signs, traffic signs (No Stopping or Standing) and barriers along the trails.

At the refuge, we work to strike a balance between wildlife well-being and visitor opportunities. During certain times of the year, this poses quite a challenge!

As great horned owls, bald eagles, and several species of songbirds continue their nesting seasons, we are counting on visitors to help safeguard their safety and well-being. Observing these magnificent creatures can be a memorable experience for all, but it’s important to ensure their safety and habitat are not disrupted. There are several nests accessible for viewing from designated trails. This is exciting but is becoming disruptive.

To that end, we ask that visitors:

Avoid Being a Disturbance

Keep noise levels to a minimum and refrain from actions that may disturb or stress the wildlife.

Disturbing actions include:

• Approaching wildlife or even getting closer for a better look/photo. This not only scares the wildlife away but could leave a path or scent trail attractive to predators!
• Staying too long. Your presence stresses these attentive parents out!
• Baiting (with food, sound recordings, or vocalized calls).This is unethical and harmful to the birds and not legal on national wildlife refuges.

Stay in Your Car. This is a rule all along the Wildlife Drive.

For your safety and that of the wildlife, please observe from the shelter of your car. Remember, your car acts as a blind. The human figure is a threat to wildlife, and they use energy needed for survival to flee from you. You may only get out of your car at designated areas along the Wildlife Drive, marked with a brown and white binoculars sign.

Don’t Block Traffic

Please park responsibly, ensuring that traffic flow is not obstructed and emergency access routes remain clear.

Andrea Van Beusichem

Visitor Services Manager

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

3395 US-20, Seneca Falls, NY 13148

Cell: 315-237-9862