We experienced a glorious weather day on the Wetlands Complex yesterday, complete with magnificent Autumn colors just about everywhere we looked!!  However, in some areas we noticed that the leaves have already dropped, leaving the trees bare.  A sign of advancing time that I am not ready to accept.

The newest rare bird on the Complex was a juvenile ruff.  It has been seen in the agricultural fields along Armitage Road in the stretch east of where the road is blocked for bridge repairs. Sometimes it was on the south side and other times it was on the north side.  Sometimes it was amazingly close to the road and other times it was a “speck” in a spotting scope, way to the back.  It was often with pectoral sandpipers and yellowlegs.  Of course, there was a persistent peregrine falcon creating havoc and keeping the shorebirds on the move!  I know, “everybirdy” has to eat!!

I don’t want to minimize our continuing, rare Hudsonian godwits that are still being seen at the Visitors’ Center Wetlands and Knox-Marsellus Marsh from the East Road Overlook. After all these weeks of having godwits in our midst they may not seem so rare to us anymore, but many of our visitors are ecstatic to add one to their life list!

Even though we did not survey the Wildlife Drive units yesterday, I know that there are loads of ducks and Canada geese out there. There are a few shorebirds and many times a peregrine falcon looking for lunch! Bald eagles have been seen in the spillway tree, across the Seneca-Cayuga Canal in trees and on the ground in many areas of the Main Pool.

Just a reminder, as of 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.

I also have a statement from NYS DEC regarding public use in Northern Montezuma:  “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 19th, 2022. 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.”

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 am including pictures of the heron rookery showing many of the nests, milkweed pods that have popped open spreading their seeds, a sandhill crane family that flew into the VC Wetland yesterday afternoon, a juvenile peregrine falcon perched in a tree, an immature bald eagle and an adult bald eagle.

The weather is predicted to be absolutely awesome for the next several days. Hopefully, you can get out to explore the Montezuma Wetlands Complex trails, towers and the Refuge Wildlife Drive and experience the magnificent colors of Autumn as well as our wonderful wildlife. 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.