Birding - Montezuma

Eastern Pond Hawk Dragonfly

South Spring Pool

Arrived at the Cayuga-Seneca lock at 7:20 AM to see one of the fledglings fly in from over Cayuga Lake and land in the nest.

GoScope photo

The other fledgling was outside the nest.

 GoScope photo

With the exception of Canada Geese, Red-wing Blackbirds and a lone Yellowlegs and a lone Green-winged Teal the auto-drive was quiet. Benning Marsh (according to afternoon cayuga-birds emails) would be active later in the morning. 

 Yellowlegs

 Green-winged Teal

At Tschache Pool introduced myself to Jackie and Larue. They were out doing their weekly bird count.

Mays Point observation deck provided some good views of three Great Egrets and three Bald Eagles. The eagles were feeding on carp. Chuck Gibson joined me on the deck. He scoped several Dunlin and Semipalmated Sandpipers. When I was leaving a Wild Turkey crossed in front of me in the Mays Point parking lot.

 Crow & Eagle

Pulled into Towpath Road around 9:24 AM. Greeted by three Trumpeter Swans and three Common Moorhen (aka Common Gallinule). From the entrance gate to the turnaround at Puddler's Pond I viewed a variety of birds - tree swallows, Great Blue Heron, Cowbirds, Robin, Song Sparrows, an Osprey (fishing), Mallards, Green-winged Teal, Gadwalls, Black-bellied Plovers, Caspian Terns, a Catbird and a Goldfinch. On the way out a small deer leaped out in front of me.

 Black-bellied Plover (on the left)

While traveling home stopped at South Spring Pool. Photographed several dragonflies.

Returned to the Cayuga-Seneca lock. Glad I did. Caught the fledgling eagle out of the nest perching on the nesting tree out by the lake.

Got home in time for lunch. About an hour later a fierce storm ripped through Auburn.