There is good diversity of birds in the Main Pool. After all the drama last week in Seneca Flats with two adult cranes, a great egret and a great blue heron seeming to stalk a raccoon in a small patch of pickerelweed, Pete and I saw the intact sandhill crane family there last Friday. YAY!! Folks were worried as they had not seen the colt in several days. Monday morning, I did not see the cranes in Seneca Flats, but I did see the tricolored heron, a sora and a couple of Virginia rail chicks on the east side of the unit on the mud in front of the vegetation!! Many thanks to Dave K. who alerted me to their location. The rails and the sora were still there yesterday so we got them on an official count list!! But no tricolored heron, RATS!! However, we did get it on an official list last week! Benning Marsh is shaping up to be great habitat for shorebirds. There are still some in Seneca Flats as well. It appears that all the young great blue herons at Tschache Pool have fledged. But if folks want to see the nests, which is an AMAZING sight by itself, and have a fear of heights or mobility issues, they can still see many of the nests by walking or backing a vehicle about halfway from the parking area towards the Tschache Pool service road gate. Voila, the nests appear by looking to the right of the tower!!
You may have noticed some mowing around the Refuge. Here is an update from Refuge staff about mowing:
- Mowing along the Wildlife Drive is in progress (i.e., it’s not done yet). It is being done by a volunteer.
- We mow areas:
- To provide better viewing opportunities.
- To decrease the impact of specific invasive plant species.
- We avoid mowing areas:
- To promote desirable native vegetation.
- To provide habitat for pollinators and other animals such as small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
- To avoid the spread of specific invasive plant species.
Last Sunday, I participated in Pete’s guided walk at the Visitors’ Center. It was FANTASTIC!! He has another one this Saturday, August 3.
From Pete:
To be alive is to be in relationship – entangled with the things that make our lives possible – Sun, Moon, air, water, air, plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, etc. Come join NY State Master Naturalist Volunteer, Pete Saracino this Saturday. August 3rd, as we seek to explore, and better understand, our connection to, and dependence upon, both the living and non-living components of our environment.
No sign-ups necessary. We’ll depart from the Refuge Visitor Center at 10 am. Binoculars, sunscreen and water to hydrate are recommended.
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
Pete Saracino/NY State Master Naturalist Volunteer/Montezuma Refuge Volunteer Roving Naturalist
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: adult bald eagle in tree across the Seneca-Cayuga Canal, #2: first year bald eagle in spillway tree, #3: young pied-billed grebe Main Pool, #4: 6-point white-tailed buck (in velvet) Wildlife Drive north of Seneca Flats, #5: spike-horn white-tailed buck (in velvet) Wildlife Drive north of Seneca Flats, #6: Pete Saracino during guided walk.
ENJOY, be respectful and safe.
I
Recent Comments