Spring has SPRUNG!! Yesterday was sunny and warm. We had an absolutely gorgeous Spring Day to be out and about the Refuge!! Shorebirds have found the Visitors’ Center Wetland, YAY!! A beautiful female Wilson’s phalarope that was reported yesterday afternoon continues in that unit this morning. The Refuge staff has finally been able to get some water out of Benning Marsh to create mudflats for migrating shorebirds. We noticed shorebird numbers had increased there as well. We saw only a few black terns over the Main Pool but found dozens out at the Sandhill Crane Unit, seen from Van Dyne Spoor Road. Also, at the far east end of Van Dyne Spoor Road, there was a trumpeter swan who seems to be sitting on a nest right out in the open. Along the Wildlife Drive across from Larue’s Lagoon, I got a picture of a great blue heron that was really close to the Drive. We also found a Canada goose who appears to be sitting on a nest in a section out along I-90. As we were exiting the Drive we discovered a great egret perched in a tree across Route 89 in North Spring Pool. Visitors and volunteers are reporting lots of warbler species in and around the Refuge.
I’m including pictures of a black tern flying at the Crane Unit (sorry, it is hard to see but there is also a pied-billed grebe in the lower right of pic), Canada goose on nest near I-90, and a great egret in a tree in North Spring Pool. The last picture is of the bald eagle parents in a tree near the Benning Marsh nest. Now that the eaglets are older the parents will leave them for longer and longer periods. However, trust me when I say, if they felt the youngsters were in any danger, they would be over there immediately!!
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. Currently, the Wildlife Drive is only open for vehicles, no hiking or biking yet. The Wildlife Drive opens for hiking and biking on May 25, 2023. Dogs on a leash are only allowed in and around the Visitors’ Center and on the Seneca Trail. Dogs on a leash are not allowed walking on the Wildlife Drive or Esker Brook Trails, ever.
ENJOY, be respectful and safe.
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