Birding - Montezuma 9/6/11

Martens Tract

After getting the papers returned home to a sparse mist that was hanging in the driveway. The weather improved as I crossed the railroad bridge in Savannah.

Pulling into Muckrace a little after 7:30 AM observed 2 Canada Geese near the south berm. Twelve Yellowlegs were foraging in the shallows and 8 Mallards were preening on the drier sections.

Yellowlegs

Arrived at Martens Tract at 8:15 AM my attention was immediately drawn to the 17 Canada Geese  flying overhead. Along the back end of the marsh were 2 Great Blue Herons. Seven ducks were gliding on the duckweed.

Great Blue Heron

 On the observation deck grass and in the parking lot were evidence that hunters had been recent visitors.

Thanks to Danny Wegmans had some plastic bags in the car. So policed the area of this trash before leaving.

Made my way to Railroad Road. Despite the recent rainfall the road was in good shape. After parking the car walked toward the Seneca River to check it out. Since a train was coming headed back toward the car. Going west the CSX train was transporting container boxes.

The ground cover near the tracks showed evidence of last night's rain.

Walked out onto the Railroad Road impoundment. A Great Blue Heron flew over head and perched in a tree. On a isle there were 6 Trumpeters - 2 adults and 4 juveniles.

Noticed a truck  at the impoundment barrier. It pulled over as it approached. Jim, the driver, said that he and Nick were banding birds and he encouraged me to join them. At the trapping enclosure were 5 Wood Ducks. One already had their band on it but the other four needed banding. Using the ducks Jim pointed out their distinct characteristics and then he allowed me to release two of these youngsters. This was cool.

Released Wood Duck

Stopped at MAC for a rest room break. Becky was there. We had a pleasant conversation. Decided to head home by way of Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Driving south on Route 89 noticed the Trumpeter Swans on Colvin's Pond.

Stopped at Mays Point and found Chuck Gibson on the observation deck doing a bird count. He noted that the presence of a multitude of dead carp and there eventual odor should make the weekend Muckrace interesting. A Refuge vehicle drove up to the deck with two bird counters. Since the SUV brought with it a swarm of mosquitoes Chuck and I decided to leave.

Made a quick visit to South Spring Pool far back was a Great Egret. There were also 2 Yellowlegs floating around.

The main pool at Visitor Center at the Refuge was quiet with the exception of 5 cars, 3 from New York, 1 from Ontario, and 1 from Pennslyvania. On the way out before turning onto 5 & 20 noticed a Great Blue Heron in the pool near the highway.

A great for birding. The highlight was the handling of the young Wood Ducks.