Yesterday’s mild temperatures, lack of rain and calm winds gave us a wonderful day at the Refuge!! It was a welcome relief from the cold, windy and rainy days of recent surveys. We also enjoyed a relatively insect-free day. With all the wet areas around, in the not-too-distant future I suspect we will be dealing with hordes of mosquitos descending upon us. I am trying to be positive and remember they are bird food!!

We started at the Visitors’ Center Wetland. Pete found a few least sandpipers and dunlin. He also found lots of green-winged teal, a few other ducks, some Canada geese and bunch of Caspian Terns. The terns have been hanging out there for a couple of weeks now.  No sign of the glossy ibis, RATS!!  Later in the afternoon when Pete and I were waiting for some Wells College students to arrive for a guided tour, 14 Bonaparte’s gulls dropped in for a quick visit!! They hung out by the terns, some preened then after a short time most of them just picked up and flew northward!! Bon voyage!!

We were not the only ones enjoying the balmy weather.  There were a couple of places where we found a “bale” of painted turtles sunning themselves (term for a group of 3 or more turtles together, from naturemappingfoundation.org). The sandhill cranes were out on the Wildlife Drive north of Seneca Flats again, then moved into the vegetation east of the Drive.  Further on, after a diligent search, I was able to locate 4 Wilson’s snipe in the west end of Benning Marsh. I would bet there were more, but the grasses are so tall, obscuring them from view.

Later in our survey as we were exiting the May’s Point Observation Deck, we noticed (because it was calling) a northern flicker toward the top of a dead tree across South May’s Point Rd.  We think we may be able to see baby flickers poking their heads out of that hole in the future. Keep your fingers crossed and eyes open!!

As part of our guided tour for the college class, we stopped so they could get a look at the eaglets in the nest east of Benning Marsh.  Not only did they get to see the eaglets, there was an adult bald eagle perched in a tree at the north end of Eaton Marsh! It was so great to see and share the excitement and awe of the students!! And for the first time I was able to see the eaglets in that nest!! Woohoo!!

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 Seneca Trail.

ENJOY, be respectful and safe.