The series of shorebirding field trips onto the otherwise-closed-to-the-public
dikes at Knox-Marsellus and Puddler Marshes at Montezuma NWR continues.
Sunday 17 August, 8am, Eaton Birding Society
Saturday 23 August, 11am, Mike Tetlow of Rochester Birding Association
Sunday 31 August, 8am, Dave Nutter of Cayuga Bird Club
Sunday 21 September, 830am, Paul Anderson of Cayuga Bird Club
Saturday 27 September, 11am, Mike Tetlow of Rochester Birding Association
The trips are hosted by members of various bird clubs, but all the trips are
open to all birders, whether or not they are members of any bird club, and
there is no fee. However everyone should pre-register with the Refuge staff by
calling 315-568-5987. All field trips will meet at the given time at the Refuge
Visitor Center on NY-5/US-20 then caravan to the site. This includes a .8 mile
drive on a single lane dirt road with deep puddles, so consider car-pooling to
reduce wear on the road and the number of muddy cars. After that we will be
walking on the dikes. Be prepared for dewy vegetation and biting insects. Bring
binoculars and, if you have one, a spotting scope as well. Even though we will
be closer to the birds than the usual roadside viewpoints allow, the
impoundments are huge, and many birds will still be distant enough that a scope
will make a big difference for identification and enjoyment. Another great
thing about a scope is that one can aim it at a distant bird, then let someone
else have a look at that same bird, so please be willing to share views and ID
skills, especially with folks who don't have a scope.
Maintaining inland habitat for migrating shorebirds is a challenge which
Montezuma NWR has taken on successfully for a number of years. As a result this
is a great place for birds and a great opportunity for us. The southbound
migration is already well underway for shorebirds which nested in boreal and
tundra regions far to our north and west. Already in addition to the Killdeer
and Spotted Sandpipers which nest here, there have been Greater and Lesser
Yellowlegs, Solitary, Pectoral, Stilt, Least, and Semipalmated Sandpipers,
Sanderling, and Short-billed and Long-billed Dowitchers. Some of these have
been few or transient, and others numerous or growing in numbers. We expect
several additional species of shorebirds to pass through or join the throng for
awhile as the season progresses. Shorebirds will be our focus, yet we expect
and welcome distraction by multiple species of gulls, terns, raptors, ducks in
challenging eclipse plumage, herons, assorted other waterbirds such as
cormorants, grebes, and rails, plus swallows, sparrows, icterids, warblers, and
other songbirds along the way. That said, there are no guarantees as to what
birds will be present and cooperative. You just have to be there to find out.
Montezuma NWR is in the Seneca County Town of Tyre in the marsh lands north of
Cayuga Lake. The Visitor Center is at 3395 E Auburn Rd (US-20), Seneca Falls,
NY (42.967, -78.741).
Directions from Ithaca on the east side of Cayuga Lake:
Go north on East Shore Drive / NYS-34 for 5.6 miles to the traffic light and T
at Rogues Harbor Inn.
Turn left/west to go "north" on Ridge Road / NYS-34B for 11.8 miles to the
all-way stop in King Ferry.
Turn left/west to go "north" on NYS-90 for 23.8 miles to the traffic light
(note gas station & convenience store).
Turn left/west on NYS-5/US-20 for .4 miles.
Turn right/north at entrance to Montezuma NWR and go .3 miles.
Visitor Center and parking lot on left, separate bathroom building on short
path to north.
Directions from Ithaca on the west side of Cayuga Lake:
Go north on NYS-89 for 41.5 miles to the traffic light
Turn right/east on NYS-5/US-20 and go 1.6 miles
Turn left/north at entrance to Montezuma NWR and go .3 miles
Visitor Center and parking lot on left, separate bathroom building on short
path to north.
--Dave Nutter
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