DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE!! The Main Pool is loaded with them!! Sometimes the Canada geese arrive in large, noisy waves. Several times last Monday, we watched groups of wave after wave of geese fly over the Visitors’ Center and drift down into the Main Pool. Often the spectacle had over 1000 geese!! SO COOL and LOUD!!
On Monday morning I got a picture of a dark phase snow goose in the Main Pool. We didn’t see it yesterday but we had 3 beautiful, very white snow geese join the mix. Sorry, no pics.
Shorebirds are being seen in the Visitors’ Center Wetland, Main Pool and Knox-Marsellus Marsh (from the East Road Overlook). Hudsonian godwits are still being seen in the Visitors’ Center Pool. Sometimes they are in the southern end, the section closer to the entrance and sometimes in the northern end and can be seen from the VC deck! They are also being seen in Knox-Marsellus Marsh, from the East Road Overlook. We are still seeing yellowlegs and long-billed dowitchers. Dunlin are showing up in some units too.
As of last Saturday (Oct 15), waterfowl hunting is allowed in Tschache Pool and the Sandhill Crane Unit (and Unit 17 and Kipp Island units) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through November 5 and again on November 26 through January 1, 2023. Turkey hunting opened that day as well and goes through October 28. Early bowhunting opened on October 1 and goes through November 18. Please be extra careful, especially when driving, as deer will be on the move, perhaps running and not paying attention to roads and vehicles. So, 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, South Spring Pool and Seneca Trails are currently closed to hunting and are available for hiking.
If you were unable to attend last time, this coming Monday, October 24, I am going to give the presentation, “Bald Eagles of Montezuma”, around 1:00 PM in the Visitors’ Center. It will run about 45 minutes and you are welcome to attend. If you plan on coming, please respond in the comments so I can have enough chairs set up for all. Thank you!
I’m including pics of a Hudsonian godwit in the north end of the VC Wetlands, our regal, spillway bald eagle pair and the Maple Island bald eagle nest, seen from the Wildlife Drive. Also, a Canada goose flight into the Main Pool, dunlin in the VC Wetlands, a great blue heron with a fish, wood ducks, yellowlegs in Knox-Marsellus, Maple Island in Autumn’s splendor (seen from the Wildlife Drive) and a late blooming evening primrose blossoming along the entrance drive/Visitors’ Center Wetlands.
Hopefully, you can get out to explore and experience all the awesome Autumn grandeur and wildlife at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex trails, towers and the Refuge Wildlife Drive. On the Refuge, dogs on a leash are only allowed in and around the Visitors’ Center and on the Seneca Trail.
ENJOY, be respectful and safe.
Recent Comments