Today the Montezuma Audubon Center (MAC) scheduled a nature walk for Grandparents and their grandchildren. Photographer-naturalist Dave Spier was the leader for the event.
Left Auburn at 7:30 AM and headed to MAC for today’s schedule nature walk. Circling the dump were 3 Turkey Vultures.
As I drove down Savannah-Spring Lake Road a little after 8 AM a hawk flew across into the far woods. There were 2 Great Blue Herons in the water and 50+ swallows on the telephone wires.
A quick pit stop at Muckrace was futile. It was flooded and barren of wildlife.
Drove into Martens Tract at 8:30 AM. From the observation rails saw 6 Great Blue Herons and several Tree Swallows. There were 8 ducks way back in the duck weed but I could not identify them.
Martens Tract
Entered Cancross Road at 8:50 AM. Driving to the Holland Island gate noticed Swamp Rose growing on the north side of the road and 6 Great Blue Herons. Four were in the channel on the south side of the road and two were flying overhead. On a dead limb hanging over the Seneca River was a Great Blue Heron. To the north on the island there was an osprey perched in the dead tree. Two DEC workers came down the road and after opening the gate they went down the Holland Island road. Returning to the Savannah-Spring Lake Road spied 2 deer in the east channel on the south side of the dirt road and 4 Great Blue Heron in the west channel.
Swamp Rose - Mallow
Cancross Road - East Channel
Stepped into the Noga Blind at Colvin Marsh at 9:15 AM. Soaring above the marsh were a Red-tailed Hawk and an Osprey. Two Great Blue Herons, a Song Sparrow, and 3 Tree Swallows were also present.
In the driveway at Colvin Marsh was a Mourning Dove. On the wires were 39 swallows, most appeared to be Tree Swallows, but after conferring with Dave after the walk there may have been a few Bank Swallows in this group.
Arrived at the MAC at 9:45 AM. In the new parking lot construction area were 2 Killdeers. Dave had assembled the walk participants in the conference room where they were observing and photographing the birds at the feeders - Red-wing Blackbirds, Goldfinches, House Sparrows, and a Nuthatch. The group’s make-up was Aleia and her grandparents, Liam and his grandparents, and Julie, a MAC AmeriCorps worker.
Starting the walk at the front door, Dave pointed out the barn swallows nest over the entrance. Turning to the right Dave drew attention to the bat house on the south side of the building.
Bat House
Once in the field Dave proceeded to name the flora - Knapweed, Cattail, Arrowhead a.k.a. Duck Potato, Bulrush, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Queen Anne lace, Clover, Lobelia.
Knapweed
Cattail
Birdsfoot Trefoil
Lobelia with Arrowhead
Just off the path towards the ponds Dave pointed out a basket gall. Then he split a gall to show the insect inside.
Aleia flushed out a toad. After several attempts to have the toad remain still Dave steered it onto his notebook.
Toad
Then the highlight of the day. A Red-tailed Hawk flew over our heads and with the aid of the bright sun made a splendid display.
Red-tailed Hawk
Over the north pond 4 Ospreys were fishing. Two ospreys made dramatic splashes and one appeared to have caught a fish. As the group approached the pond a Trumpeter Swan emerged from behind the cattails.
Trumpeter Swan
Before departing the MAC caught a house sparrow feeding its young. Took the photo through a conference window pane.
House Sparrows
Before returning home went to Sauders Store for peaches and blueberries.
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