OODLES of babies were at the Sandhill Crane Unit, especially at the eastern end of Van Dyne Spoor Road. The two, large, dark brown, soon to fledge, eaglets were still in the nest east of Benning Marsh.  Black terns, a critically endangered species in NYS, were seen in the Main Pool and the Sandhill Crane Unit. Refuge staff and volunteers are planning a black tern survey this week.  I hope to have updated information soon! Over on the east side of the Seneca Cayuga Canal, we saw two adult bald eagles eating what appeared to be a fish. Afterwards, they both went down to the water’s edge for a drink. Really cool to watch!! On the Seneca Trail we watched a Baltimore oriole fly up to its nest!! Without moving a step, we watched a cedar waxwing fly up to its nest!!  Pete pointed out a moth mullein plant to us on the Wildlife Drive along I-90.  It is native to Eurasia and North Africa and has yellow or white flowers. It has naturalized in the US and most of Canada. According to Wikipedia, moth mullein has no medicinal value but seems to be an effective cockroach repellent.

  This week’s sound challenge is the willow flycatcher.  Open up your Merlin app, go to Explore Birds and put in willow flycatcher.  Choose the “sounds” tab. The first choice on the list has the characteristic “FITZ-bew” song.  I often hear it from the Seneca Trail and Tschache Pool Towers, many places along the Wildlife Drive and Van Dyne Spoor Road.  Good luck and have FUN!!

  It’s that time of year when turtles leave the marshes in search of a suitable place to lay and bury eggs before returning to their preferred locations. So, please continue to be alert for turtles on or near the Wildlife Drive, driveways and public roads. Please do not put yourself or others in danger trying to assist turtles. It is always much better to leave them alone and let them do what they do.  If you must assist a turtle, move it in the direction in which it was traveling. It is best to not handle snapping turtles and never pick one up by its tail.  That would most likely injure its spinal cord due to the heavy shell. Also, snapping turtles can deliver a nasty “bite.”

  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.  The Wildlife Drive is now open for hiking and biking through August 15.  E-bikes are allowed but riders must observe the 15 mph speed limit on the Drive. Visitors who want to hike or bike on the Wildlife Drive MUST leave their vehicle in the VC parking area.  Hikers access the Drive via the Seneca Trail and cyclists via the Wildlife Drive from the parking area.  Visitors should NOT exit and abandon their vehicle on the Wildlife Drive to hike or bike. Visitors in vehicles may exit their vehicle, BUT they must stay with their vehicle, no wandering.  Anyone on the Wildlife Drive must stay on the Drive and not go onto any dikes or into any impoundment areas!! The only exception is that visitors may hike the trail to the photo blind.

  Dogs on a leash are only allowed in and around the Visitors’ Center and on the Seneca Trail. Dog owners must clean up after their dog and take it with them when they leave. Dogs on a leash are not allowed walking on the Wildlife Drive or Esker Brook Trails, ever.  In the Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area, the DEC had new Wildlife Management Area land-use regulations pass in 2022.  The regulations state that dogs must remain on a leash and under control of the owner at all times on any WMA property, with a few exceptions related to hunting. Also, folks must clean up after their pets. All of this information can be found here:  https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/p51expressterms.pdf  if you’d like to take a closer look.

  Fishing is not allowed in any of the Refuge impoundments, but fishing is allowed in the waters, canals, rivers and lakes, around the Refuge. Last year I checked with the DEC staff about fishing and was told that visitors may fish in the Northern Montezuma Wetlands Management Area (WMA).  I asked about the ponds on Howland’s Island and other areas.  My source said people can fish in them, but he doesn’t know why anyone would want to as they are not particularly good places to fish.  He said that the rivers, streams, canals and lakes in and around the WMA are way better for fishing. 

  Pic #1 & #2: bald eagles on Seneca-Cayuga Canal, #3: cedar waxwing nest (Seneca Trail), #4: Baltimore oriole nest (Seneca Trail), #5: moth mullein (Wildlife Drive), #6: painted turtle (Wildlife Drive), #7: snapping turtle (Rte 89), #8: snapping turtle (Wildlife Drive), #9: snapping turtle (Wildlife Drive-zoomed in), #10: Canada geese families (Wildlife Drive), #11: Great blue heron (Main Pool).

ENJOY, be respectful and safe.