The Refuge was shrouded in dense fog when we arrived yesterday morning for our survey. We waited a while then headed out to Tschache Pool. The fog had mostly cleared but I got a pic near the heron rookery that still had a mystical look. The Main Pool is absolutely the “hot spot” for ducks. Pete texted me this morning that, “There must be a gazillion pintails on the Main Pool today.” Woohoo!! Ducks R Us!! There are lots of other amazing ducks out there too.
On our way back from the Sandhill Crane Unit we stopped at the East Road Overlook. We didn’t see any godwits but someone posted 3 there later in the day. We did, however, see about 100 sandhill cranes down in the marsh!!
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.
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 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.”
I’m including pictures of some fog at Tschache Pool, Tschache Pool later in the morning with water so still it reflected the trees like a mirror, sandhill cranes at Knox-Marsellus Marsh, an adult bald eagle, a female belted kingfisher, a doe grazing on the side of the dike, 2 different eagle nests that survived our summer weather and a wasp nest in a tree on the north side of Van Dyne Spoor Road about halfway through the forested area on the way to the Sandhill Crane Unit. There is a second one on the south side of the road not too far east of this one.
The weather forecast is for cold mornings but mostly sunny days for this weekend. Hopefully, you can get out to explore and experience the waning Autumn grandeur and the awesome, magical migration 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.
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