Yes, we have BABIES (that aren’t goslings)! The young great blue herons can now be seen from Tschache Pool Tower in the rookery nests!! And, yesterday I saw my first of the season, ducklings from the East Road Overlook!! A mama wood duck was keeping at least 8 mostly out of view in the vegetation in the NW corner (closest to the overlook). WOOHOO!!
As I approached the Tschache Pool Tower a red squirrel scooted under the tower in the direction of the funky looking mass in the tree (pic 042623). The nest is still there, it is just not as obvious since the leaves have filled out obscuring it some. Maybe my internet search was correct about that nest! We found some shorebirds in the Visitors’ Center Wetland and black terns foraging over most of the units. The Main Pool still had a few ruddy ducks, a couple of ring-necked ducks and a single lesser scaup. Our hiking trails are way more “birdy” lately, except for the cerulean warblers. I am hoping by putting that in print, it will change!
On Monday, some visitors were asking about seeing snow geese and I informed them that I hadn’t seen any in a while. Lo and behold, yesterday on the way to the Refuge, I saw a small flock (about 10) at Seneca Lake State Park at the north end of Seneca Lake! So, I checked eBird, which is what I should have done on Monday, and discovered that there have been sightings of small numbers in several locations including along Cayuga Lake. However, I think they were really interested in the HUGE flocks that migrate through earlier in the year. But it is a good reminder that one can check for species easily.
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. Today, is the last day the Wildlife Drive is only open for vehicles. Tomorrow, May 25, 2023, the Wildlife Drive opens for hiking and biking until mid-August. Visitors who want to hike or bike on the Wildlife Drive MUST leave their vehicle in the VC parking area. Hikers access the Drive via the Seneca Trail and cyclists via the Wildlife Drive from the parking area. Visitors should NOT exit and abandon their vehicle on the Wildlife Drive to hike or bike. Visitors in vehicles may exit their vehicle, BUT they must stay with their vehicle, no wandering. Anyone on the Wildlife Drive must stay on the Drive and not go onto any dikes or into any impoundment areas!! The only exception is that visitors may hike the trail to the photo blind.
Dogs on a leash are only allowed in and around the Visitors’ Center and on the Seneca Trail. Dog owners must clean up after their dog and take it with them when they leave. Dogs on a leash are not allowed walking on the Wildlife Drive or Esker Brook Trails, ever.
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.
Fishing is not allowed in any of the Refuge impoundments, but fishing is allowed in the waters, canals, rivers and lakes, around the Refuge. Last year I checked with the DEC staff about fishing and was told that visitors may fish in the Northern Montezuma Wetlands Management Area (WMA). I asked about the ponds on Howland’s Island and other areas. My source said people can fish in them, but he doesn’t know why anyone would want to as they are not particularly good places to fish. He said that the rivers, streams, canals and lakes in and around the WMA are way better for fishing.
The additional pictures are of an adult bald eagle in the tree at the Seneca Spillway, a male blue-winged teal at Eaton Marsh, a couple of double crested cormorants at May’s Point Pool, a great blue heron that was standing on the Wildlife Drive at the Spillway and trumpeter swans at May’s Point Pool.
ENJOY, be respectful and safe.
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