Martens Tract
Woke up this morning to temperatures close to freezing and dense fog. But decided to venture out birding. The journey to Montezuma was shrouded but eerily amusing. Arrived at Martens Tract to find it extremely quiet except for a DEC worker who just gated through.
Since nothing was moving started to walk out along the tire tracks to the south of the pond. After passing the lone tree stopped at the water's edge. Took this photo.
Flushed up 37 ducks.
Returning down the path five song sparrows were flitting around the tall grasses. Then heard "kar-r-r-r-o-o-o" from out in the field. As I was getting into the car a Sandhill Crane took flight. Two other Sandhill Cranes followed suit. They were heading south.
In the Morgan Road pond was a lone Great Blue Heron. Pulling into Muckrace Flats observed a Great Blue Heron and 3 Yellowlegs.
Van Dyne Spoor Road was the most active spot of the day. The American Coots were still present along with 3 Grebes and Ring-billed Gulls. A bird came out of the grasses; surprised me and left so fast that I could not identify. Looked like a small hawk. A Cormorant flew in as I was leaving. Heading back down the road observed 7 Mourning Doves on a wire.
Drove over East Road to Knox-Marcellus Marsh. As reported on Cayuga Birds there must have been over 2000+ Canada Geese here. Also on the phone wires were thousands of Tree Sparrows.
From just inside the gate at Tschache Pool a followed with my binoculars a Northern Harrier who was flying low over the grasses.
Stopped at South Spring Pool for a photo opt. Then came on home.
By noon sun was shining and temperatures pushed into the 50s.
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