Wednesday was sunny but windy and COLD, Brrrrr. Nonetheless, we had a wonderful tour of the Mundy Wildflower Garden at the Cornell Botanic Gardens with Krissy Boys. She showed us dozens of native plants, spoke of their growing needs and talked about how the gardens have evolved over time. We are planning a return trip to the Garden sometime in July. If you are interested in joining us, be sure to let me know so you get on the list to receive information.
Much to our surprise, three common terns flew overhead while we were standing in the office parking lot this morning. WAY COOL!!! They headed in the direction of the Main Pool and we hoped we would see them when we got out there. Later, we were up near the Seneca Spillway and I told Pete that I kept hearing the terns. Finally, I saw them over in the Seneca-Cayuga Canal on some exposed mud at the side of the canal nearest the Drive. SUPER, WAY COOL!! It was fantastic to get some really good looks and to listen to their chatter. Eventually, they flew southward back toward the office area.
We had shorebirds in the Visitors’ Center Wetland (lots of least sandpipers) and Benning Marsh (lots of semipalmated plovers- so cute). We saw black terns in 4 units, Main Pool, Larue’s Lagoon, Tschache Pool, and May’s Point Pool. We didn’t see any Caspian terns in the VC Wetland in the morning for the survey, but they were there when I was posting the list later in the afternoon. A day with 3 different tern species at the Refuge is FANTASTIC!!
There is a new interpretive sign on the Centennial Platform, the low wooden observation deck just past the tower on the Seneca Trail. It is very interesting and explains the marsh cycle where units progress from wet to dry to wet again. There is also a new sign at the East Road Overlook identifying Knox-Marsellus Marsh.
I noticed this past week that the yellow flag and dames rocket are in bloom in some units and along the Wildlife Drive. Even though both are absolutely beautiful they are not natives. RATS!! However, our native plants are growing and we should be seeing some AWESOME flowers soon.
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. We tell visitors that they should stay in their vehicle along the Wildlife Drive until they come to a sign with an image of binoculars. What that means is, in those areas they may exit their vehicle, BUT they must stay with their vehicle, no wandering.
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.
ENJOY, be respectful and safe.
Recent Comments