Re: [cayugabirds-l] Foot Traffic on the Wildlife Drive at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
I applaud the extensive efforts the Refuge Staff has made in responding in detail to the comments that have appeared on Cayuga Birds with respect to the requirement that visitors to Wildlife Drive must remain in their vehicles. I speak as a birder who feels privileged to have such an exceptional birding venue nearby, and as a regular volunteer who also feels privileged to have the opportunity to help maintain and improve the facility for wildlife. I feel that the rule requiring visitors to remain in vehicles is reasonable and soundly based, and respectfully disagree with those who suggest otherwise. It is my conclusion that in recent years the Refuge has made many valuable improvements and expansions, with plans for many more that have, and will, benefit both wildlife and those who come to appreciate wildlife. Self serving criticism serves no useful purpose. I would encourage those who truly consider Montezuma a valuable asset to the region to volunteer their time to preserve and improve the facility for BOTH wildlife and visitors. Through volunteering, and there are numerous opportunities, one can expect to have the opportunity to make improvements and better understand how Montezuma executes its mission. David S. Marsh -Original Message- From: Carl Steckler Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2014 12:35 PM To: Ziemba, Linda ; CAYUGABIRDS-L Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Foot Traffic on the Wildlife Drive at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge I have to respectively disagree with your conclusion and decision to curtail people getting out of their cars on the wildlife drive. First viewing is severely restricted by the vegetation that has been allowed to grow along the drive necessitating that one get out of the car to see anything that is not flying. Second the traffic of the personnel working on the terraforming causes much more disruption. I realize that this is necessary, but it does cause more disruption than foot traffic. This would be compounded by providing and maintaining additional stops along the drive. Third the complaints you have received have come from a very few people. If you were to conduct a survey you would find that most people have no problem with others getting out of the car and in fact end up seeing much more of the wildlife they come to see. If you want a pristine refuge with a severely restricted viewing public either close the gates or have everyone ride on buses to view wildlife. Fourth what you will create is a situation where your inforcement officers will have to spend much more of their limited time herding the viewing public back into their cars instead of their much more important jobs. Fifth in reality the problem is very much self regulating. Most people who get out of their cars do so for short periods and if they see someone going toff the road will say something. You would have a much better use of your limited funds by allowing people to be out of their cars on the drive and posting signs to stay on the drive. Sixth your proposal would severely limit the use of the wildlife drive to educational groups where there are several vehicles in a group. Those in the front will see something while those further back will not. Also this will curtail the use of using a spotting scope to view wildlife that is not close to the drive. In conclusion please rethink your decision to restrict the drive and make it more friendly to the viewing public who in reality own and pay for the refuge. I do believe that the intended purpose in allowing the viewing public is part of your mandate. Perhaps you should invite some of your users to meet with and comment to your policy makers. Thank you Carl Steckler 607 592 8798 -- 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/ -- -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] MONTEZUMA WINTER RAPTOR SURVEY
The 2015/2016 Montezuma Winter Raptor Survey season will begin November 18th. Surveys have been conducted annually at Montezuma since 2010, and will be conducted weekly on Wednesdays, one half hour before sunset to one half hour after sunset. Surveyors follow an established protocol. We need veteran surveyors who are able to identify 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 chance of spotting raptors. Our work generates important data for use by the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Department of Environmental Conservation in managing habitat. Accurate data collection is our number one priority. Our work is important, and I assure you that it will be appreciated. Approximately 20 sites at the Greater Montezuma Wetland Complex are surveyed. Species of particular interest are the Short-eared Owl (SEOW), which is endangered in N.Y. State, and the Northern Harrier (NOHA), which is threatened. All raptors are counted and their specific activity recorded.The surveys also provide an opportunity to sharpen 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. You 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. We meet at the Refuge Office at the times listed below where 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. The meeting times for November and December are: Wednesday, Nov. 18, meet at 3:25 pm Wednesday, Nov. 25, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 2, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 9, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 16, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 23, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 30, meet at 3:25 pm The survey season runs through March. The survey dates and times for January, February, and March will be announced in mid-December. Surveyors must sign up to attend a survey no later than the evening before the survey date. If you are interested, please e-mail me, David Marsh, at dsm...@frontiernet.net , put “Raptor Survey” in the subject line, and I will add you to the surveyor list. You will then receive weekly summary reports of the survey results. David S. Marsh Canandaigua, New York dsm...@frontiernet.net 585-396-2170 -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] BALD EAGLE SURVEY---David Marsh, Canandaigua
The record for Bald Eagles (BAEA) sighted at the Mid Winter Bald Eagle Survey was smashed on Friday, January 8.. Twenty-nine surveyors covered 14 assigned routes to sight 77 BAEA, a new survey record for the Greater Montezuma Wetlands. Last year 43 BAEA were reported at Montezuma in this annual nationwide survey. The detail results by route will be reported to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, who coordinate this annual national survey. The day was perfect for surveying, and it was quite beautiful as well with lots of sunshine, light breezes, excellent visibility, and good travel conditions. Unlike the Winter Raptor Surveys, where surveyors are assigned a fixed survey spot, surveyors for the BAEA survey are assigned a route to travel, either in vehicles, or on foot. The total survey area covered is larger than for the raptor surveys, running from the north end of Cayuga Lake to the Lake Ontario shore. The #1 hot site today was Tschache Pool, which had been drained recently, where 40 BAEA were counted, most collected in trees at the north end. An amazing spectacle. The Main Pool area was the #2 spot, with 14 BAEA. Although we were not counting them, a number of Rough-legged Hawks (RLHA) were also reported, a good sign that we may see more of them in our forthcoming raptor surveys. The sizable Sandhill Crane (SACR) “gang” that has been hanging around, was also spotted, indicating they must be enjoying our mild winter. This annual daytime event is always a lot of fun, providing an opportunity for participants to socialize and watch the scoreboard to see how the count comes in. Of course there is food, a potluck provided by the volunteers. My gratitude to everyone who provided the food, and to all who helped with the survey. Your time is precious, and it is appreciated. David Marsh P. S. There was also an article in the Saturday Auburn newspaper, The Citizen, about the event. -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Montezuma Winter Raptor Survey
The 2016/2017 Montezuma Winter Raptor Survey season will begin on November 16, only one month away. Raptor migrations for the most part will be completed, and it will be time to learn what species have chosen to spend the winter at the Greater 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 I assure you that the time devoted to helping with the surveys will be appreciated. There are some additional benefits among which include 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. You 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. We will follow essentially the same protocol 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. Last year we had a total of 20 survey sites to staff and I would expect about the same again this 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. Attached is some explanatory information. The first attachment provides background information about the surveys and the survey protocol. The second attachment contains some important housekeeping items that will help you to understand how to get started. 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. 16, meet at 3:15 pm Wednesday, Nov. 23, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Nov. 30, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 7, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 14, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 21, meet at 3:20 pm Wednesday, Dec. 28, meet at 3:25 pm The survey season runs through March. 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 the morning of January 13, 2017. You are certain to enjoy a number of very nice additions and enhancements made at the Refuge and WMA. If you are interested in participating in any of the raptor surveys and being added to the surveyor address list to receive weekly reports of the survey results, contact me, David Marsh, at dsm...@frontiernet.net. -- 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/ -- 2016-2017 RAPTOR SURVEY BACKGROUND & PROTOCOL.docx Description: MS-Word 2007 document HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS.docx Description: MS-Word 2007 document
[cayugabirds-l] More on Feederbirds
Regarding the recent postings from Donna Lee Scott and Asher Hocking, I can report the same unusual patterns in the appearance of feeder birds in Canandaigua. Activity at our feeders was unusually light all through the fall, and even well into November. We assumed this was the result of the mild fall weather and that birds were finding ample food in the fields that surround our home. When the cold and snow appeared just a week ago, things changed and activity increased to include our regular heavy winter feeders, Juncos, Goldfinches, American Tree Sparrows, etc. Then, on Monday, with the more mild weather, activity immediately dropped right off sharply, and that continued into Tuesday. I am expecting to see an upturn again with the colder weather moving in on Wednesday and Thursday. I do not ever remember a fall pattern like this and we have lived in the area since 1976. Normally we have a gradual increase in feeder activity from mid-October on into winter. David Marsh, Canandaigua, N.Y. -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Montezuma Winter Raptor Surveys
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/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] cranes at MNWR
I did a Raptor Survey Monday at sunset at the Avery site on East Rd.and there were about 100 SACRs on the ice at Knox and another 30 or so in the air. David Marsh On Thu, Dec 10, 2020 at 11:27 AM Peter Saracino wrote: > Not sure Nancy. > We stopped doing surveys for the season last week. If you're going, check > ebird and at the Refuge check the visitor Center pool, east rd. (Knox > Marcellus and Puddler marshes), sandhill crane unit (van dyne-spoor rd.), > and Armitage rd. > Good luck. Hope ya see some! > Pete Sar > > On Thu, Dec 10, 2020, 10:52 AM Nancy Cusumano > wrote: > >> Are cranes still being seen at Montezuma? I am thinking of heading up >> there today >> >> Nancy >> -- >> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* >> Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> >> Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> >> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave >> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> >> *Archives:* >> The Mail Archive >> <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> >> Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> >> BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> >> *Please submit your observations to eBird >> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* >> -- >> > -- > *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* > Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> > Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> > *Archives:* > The Mail Archive > <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> > Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> > BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> > *Please submit your observations to eBird > <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* > -- > -- 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/ --
