The 2017/2018 Montezuma Winter Raptor Survey season will begin on November 15, approximately two weeks away. The entire season runs from November 15 through March 28. The largest portion of the Raptor migrations will have been completed, and it will be time to learn what species have chosen to spend the winter at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. Our weekly surveys provide important information that will assist the Refuge and the DEC in managing habitat to attract and hold raptors. Accurate data collection is always our highest priority. Surveyor’s work is important, and the time devoted to helping with the surveys is always appreciated. There are some additional benefits among which are an opportunity to sharpen raptor ID skills, enjoy watching raptors conduct their deadly serious efforts in search of food under difficult climate conditions, and, experience the solitude of Montezuma in the winter. Surveyors will visit parts of Montezuma that are normally closed to the public, and learn more about what attracts raptors to the complex in the winter season.
Our protocol will be essentially the same as that used in the past several seasons. Surveys will be conducted weekly on Wednesdays, beginning one half hour before sunset and ending one half hour after sunset. We have 24 sites available for survey, 21 we will attempt to survey each week, and 3 that will be surveyed approximately once a month. There will be a few site changes from last year. Each site will be staffed with at least one veteran surveyor who is able to make quick and often difficult identification of the raptors who frequent our area. If you are an inexperienced surveyor, or even new to birding, you are welcome to attend and you will be assigned to accompany a veteran surveyor. The more eyes we have at each site the greater our chances of spotting raptors. We meet each week in the Refuge Offices across from the Visitor’s Center at the times listed below There you will receive a briefing, obtain assignments, and pick up materials for the survey. Surveyors will return to the office after completion of the survey to turn in data and exchange information about experiences. Wednesday, Nov. 15, meet at 3:15 pm Wednesday, Nov. 22, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Nov. 29, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 6, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 13, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 20, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 27, meet at 3:25 pm Raptor Survey dates (always Wednesday) and meeting times for January, February, and March, will be announced later, including information about the Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey to be held in mid-January. Those interested in helping with the surveys should contact me, David Marsh, at * dsmars...@gmail.com <dsmars...@gmail.com> * and for detailed information about the surveys and how to participate. -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
