We had a wonderful Muckrace last weekend. It was helped by awesome weather Friday night and Saturday until late afternoon when it rained, then in the evening it poured! But, by then we were gathered in the MAC eating pizza and sharing our stories of the best, funniest and occasionally the worst of the Muckrace. Hearing the teams’ stories is one of the best parts of the Muckrace. It might be a rare bird, the common bird that could not be found or the camaraderie of teams pointing out birds to other teams. It’s the “magic of Montezuma” combined with terrific people in support of a great cause!
We didn’t find much diversity of ducks in the units we surveyed yesterday. The Main Pool seems to have greater diversity. There were only a few shorebirds at Knox-Marsellus, but there was a strong raptor presence, with a peregrine falcon, a merlin and a sharp-shinned hawk around.
FINALLY, on Monday morning I saw (and photographed) a sora in the Main Pool from the Wildlife Drive across from the southern part of Seneca Flats. I have been sending folks to that area for weeks to hopefully see a sora and/or least bittern. Maybe the Muckrace magic was still with me!!
One of my pictures is white snakeroot. It is found in many areas on the Wetlands Complex. Apparently, it is poisonous to grazing animals and humans, especially if one drinks milk from a cow that has ingested it. It is thought to be what killed Abe Lincoln’s mother. It is native to NYS and is good for insects as it blooms late in the season providing food for bees, moths and flies.
Hopefully, you can get out soon to explore and experience all the amazing things at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex trails, towers and the Refuge Wildlife Drive. Remember, the Refuge Wildlife Drive is currently open to vehicles only. Only 13 more days until Grow Native, Native Plant Festival and Sale!! The early deer hunting season ends this Sunday, September 17.
Pic #1: sora Main Pool, #2: white snakeroot, #3: bald eagle pair from Tschache Pool Tower, #4: adult and immature bald eagles from May’s Point Observation Deck, #5: immature bald eagle Wildlife Drive – spillway, #6: immature black crowned night heron Knox-Marsellus Marsh, #7: osprey Van Dyne Spoor Road, #8: osprey Van Dyne Spoor Road, #9: pied-billed grebe young Main Pool, #10: trumpeter swan “yoga” Knox-Marsellus Marsh.
ENJOY, be respectful and safe.
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