As of today, May 25, the Wildlife Drive is reopening for hiking and biking. Here is an update from Andrea: “Biking and pedestrian use is permitted all along the Drive. We no longer make a specific lane for that so people will have to stay aware. Also, walkers and cyclists must park at the VC lot. Vehicles can still pull over and people can get out, but not park and leave their cars on the Drive to take a walk. The signs should have been changed this morning.” This will be in effect until mid August.
Our shorebird numbers were comparatively low yesterday in the Visitors’ Center Wetland, just over 100. That could be due to several factors; like the water looking a bit lower, the grasses growing like crazy or that most of them have migrated through.
We saw the sandhill crane family from the Seneca Trail Tower yesterday morning. They were moving at a very fast clip in the direction of the Wildlife Drive. Be aware that they move around, a lot. Another thing is that the researchers from the International Crane Foundation, who were here a number of years ago, told me that when the temperature gets above 75 degrees the parents take the chicks to cover until it gets cooler.
Toward the north end of Seneca Flats is a huge, beautiful spread of Dame’s Rocket. I’m also including a picture of a great blue heron that appeared to be sunning itself while standing on a muskrat mound in Eaton Marsh. When I checked on it, I learned that it could be trying to get warm, it was cool yesterday morning. Sometimes when it is hot, they do that with their mouth open to cool themselves. And they also may do that when they are drying their feathers!! Interesting!!
Linda Benedict found our first of the season pied-billed grebe chicks from the May’s Point Observation deck!! I am also including a picture I took of a nest that I saw from Van Dyne Spoor Road in the Sandhill Crane Unit. Can you help me identify what bird may have made it?
The restroom that was formerly at Tschache Pool parking area has been moved. It has been relocated just off of Route 31 east of the Seneca River/Erie Canal. The Town of Montezuma is in the process of creating a trailhead parking area there. It is not yet open for “business”, as they are still working on it.
The forecast looks good for today and tomorrow with rain on Friday and Saturday. Where I live, we could use some rain. However, it looks like Sunday and Monday should be warm and rain-free. There is great stuff to see and I hope you can get out soon to explore the Montezuma Wetlands Complex trails, towers and Wildlife Drive.
ENJOY, be respectful and safe.
I really like your reports. Thank you.
I know the “drive” is one way for cars, but I wondered if I have to ride the entire drive? I am not able to do cycle the ENTIRE drive. Can I turn around and come back?? Thank you.
Sorry, to be clear, I wanted to ride my bicycle, and I’m asking if I have to be able to ride the ENTIRE drive one way and then back to the parking lot?
You may ride or walk whatever distance is good for you then turn around and ride or walk back to the parking lot. You do not have to be able to ride or walk all the way around the Wildlife Drive. The main thing is to leave your car parked in the Visitors’ Center parking lot while you are riding your bike or walking on the Drive.
Is there another name for Dame’s Rocket? I can’t find that in the index of my wildflower book. Thanks.
The scientific name is hesperis matronalis, in the family Brassicaceae. I hope this will help your search.
Thank you. I’ll search again.
Could the nest be a last year Redwinge Blackbird nest? I found a similar structure in my early season hay field.
I checked out red-winged blackbird nest pictures and they resemble the nest in my pictures. THANKS for your help!