DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE, SWAN!! We have gone from “oodles” to “ducks R us times 10” to HOLY COW there are thousands of ducks and geese on the Main Pool with several hundred tundra swans in the mix!! Historically, November is our duckiest month and they did not let us down this year!! Throw in the snowy egret, the greater and lesser yellowlegs and the new bald eagle nest construction that can be seen from the Seneca Trail as well. The sights and sounds are many and varied! As I said before it is worth the trip for a first-hand experience.
I do need to caution folks about the eagle nest. It is EXTREMELY important that visitors check it out but keep moving along the trail, that would be normal behavior from the eagles’ perspective. It would not be wise have large numbers of people or to spend more than a few minutes viewing and photographing the nest and the eagles. If hikers and photographers “camp out” near the nest for long periods of time the eagles could decide that location is not as good for them as they first thought. So PLEASE, RESPECT the eagles. Do what is best for them as ultimately it would be best for you. It would be sad if they stopped construction and moved to another location due to human interference and pressure.
FYI: Be aware that this coming Saturday, November 18, is “opening day” for firearms hunting of deer. There will be way more people hunting in our area. Please be super extra careful, especially when driving, as deer will be on the move, perhaps running and not paying attention to roads and vehicles. Sometimes you may see people on the dikes in some of our units. They may be hunters and have permission to be there. The Esker Brook and South Spring Pool Trails are now closed to hiking. The Seneca Trail currently is available for hiking and closed to hunting. If you are interested in exploring Northern Montezuma here is a statement from the DEC:
“Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area provides excellent opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation year-round. However, birders and other recreationists should be aware that there will be a higher amount of hunting activity on the area on the opening weekend of the regular deer hunting season, which starts November 18th, 2023. Visitors can choose to wear fluorescent orange clothing during open hunting seasons while taking advantage of all the wonderful recreational opportunities the WMA has to offer.”
Pete is doing a guided nature walk again on Saturday, November 25 at 11:00AM starting at the Visitors’ Center and proceeding to the Seneca Trail at the Refuge. This is from the flier:
Have you ever wondered . . .
- The days are shortening, and the Sun’s strength is waning. Who’s to blame, Sun or Earth?
- Are there REALLY dinosaurs on the Refuge?
- What are the TRUE color of the leaves?
- Has Nature ALREADY given us the first signs of next spring?
- Can certain insects REALLY create their own “sleeping bags” for the winter?
- Is it the cold temperatures or fear of starvation that drives migratory birds southward and woodchucks into their burrows?
- How do parent plants ensure their offspring will have room to grow far away from them?
- 78% of our atmosphere is Nitrogen. As human beings we desperately need this substance to help make proteins and the building blocks of our DNA. Although we do breathe it in with every breath, we can’t access it this way. What very common and humble organisms do the job for us?
He is prepared to answer all these questions and more! Hope you can make it!
Please note: the Visitors’ Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
I’m including a picture of what could be a rodent’s pantry that Pete found in a shrub along the May’s Point dike. It appears to be built on a bird’s nest. The top resembles a root beer float in looks and color but not substance, of course. We think that it is covered with cattail seeds and fluff. So please feel free to chime in and help us correctly identify this unusual find.
Hopefully, you can get out to explore and experience the awesome, magical migration at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex trails, towers and the Refuge Wildlife Drive.
Pic #1: new bald eagle nest Seneca Trail, #2: close up of new bald eagle nest Seneca Trail, #3: sandhill cranes Visitors’ Center Wetland, #4: sandhill cranes Visitors’ Center Wetland, #5: great blue heron Wildlife Drive, #6: possible rodent pantry May’s Point Pool, #7: Pete’s Guided Hike
ENJOY, BE RESPECTFUL and SAFE.
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