Thanks to Linda and staff, the drawdown of the Main Pool, despite Mother Nature’s insistence on filling it up, has resulted in a huge area of mudflats for our Northbound migrating shorebirds!! My Seneca County rare bird alerts have included willet, whimbrel, and red knot, to name a few rare ones!! There are also, semipalmated plovers, dunlin, yellowlegs and least sandpipers to name a few others. There are killdeer and spotted sandpipers too, but we expect them as they nest on the refuge!! The great blue herons, great egrets and bald eagles are enjoying the easy fishing. I have seen black terns over the mudflat area as well as the areas along I-90.

On Monday morning, I saw a small flock (about 6) of ruddy ducks and a pair of redheads from the May’s Point Observation Deck. I saw black terns, trumpeter swans and lots of great blue herons from the Tschache Pool Tower.

Pete has a guided hike on Saturday, May 24, at the VC at 10 AM.

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 only open to vehicles. No hiking or biking on the Drive.  However, Howland’s Island, accessible from Carncross Road is open for hiking and biking.  Dogs on a leash are only allowed in and around the Refuge Visitors’ Center and on the parts of the Seneca Trail that are open. 

Pic#1: immature bald eagles Main Pool, #2: possible first year bald eagle that has migrated from someplace in the south, #3: great blue herons Main Pool, #4: willet Main Pool, #5: pair of wood ducks Wildlife Drive, #6: Dames Rocket Wildlife Drive, #7: Golden Alexanders, #8: painted turtle Main Pool, #9: pearl crescent butterfly.

ENJOY, be respectful and safe.