Early Tuesday morning, Allyn went around the Wildlife Drive hoping to catch sight of the sandhill crane families, before it became too hot for the “kids” to be out. She was successful!! She saw one family in Seneca Flats with 2 colts and another family in Eaton Marsh with 1 colt. Last Sunday, Dave, our Sunday Roving Naturalist, saw 2 colts in Eaton Marsh. When Pete and I went around later in the day, we didn’t see any in Seneca Flats or Larue’s Lagoon and only saw 1 adult in Eaton Marsh.
Tuesday, we saw our first of the season, baby pied-billed grebes in the North end of Larue’s Lagoon! They were just so CUTE!! There were still some ruddy ducks on the Main Pool. We noticed lots of beautiful Dames Rocket along the sides of the Wildlife Drive. From Tschache Pool Tower, or from the ground to the right of the tower, using bins or a spotting scope, you can now see baby great blue herons in the nests!! The bald eagle eaglet in the nest East of Benning Marsh had not fledged as of Tuesday. Also, there were 2 eaglets in the Tschache Pool area that I could still see in their nest. The South Spring Pool and Esker Brook Trails are very birdy and buggy. I recommend insect repellent.
Andrea, Director of Visitors Services, shared this:
Seneca Trail is Closed During Nesting Season/Vehicles Only on the Wildlife Drive
The Seneca Trail is now closed just past the public restrooms in order to abide by New York State wildlife protection laws.
The Wildlife Drive will remain a “Vehicles Only” trail throughout the summer/bald eagle nesting season. Walking/Jogging and bicycling on the Drive are not permitted.
Hopefully, you can get out soon to explore and experience the wonderful Spring happenings at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex trails, towers and the Refuge Wildlife Drive.
Pic #1: adult bald eagles Tschache Pool, most likely parents of the eaglets in pic #2, #2: eaglets Tschache Pool, #3: immature bald eagle Tschache Pool, #4: Dames rocket Wildlife Drive, #5: LARGE snapping turtle on Tschache Pool service road.
ENJOY, be respectful and safe.
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