Eaton Birding Society - Clark's Ridge

The Eaton Birding Society visited the Clark's Ridge Trail at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge today. This is a new trail, not yet open to the public, except on a scheduled trip and for the Muckrace. Volunteers and staff put the trail together; particularly David Marsh who painted the blazes, and Ruth and Don Kalen who spread the gravel.

View from the trail head parking area.

Steve and Linda Benedict led a group of 26 members. The beginning of the walk took the group along a well-developed pathway.

Few bugs were encountered. While not overwhelmed with birds at this time of year, high points were a yellow-throated vireo and a heard cerulean warbler.

Photo from under the canopy.

The highlight for me was seeing the hacking tower. According to Chuck Gibson this tower was built in 1976. Here the first eaglets were released in New York State. Hacking has been one of the most successful methods of bald eagle re-introduction.

Hacking Tower

The last leg of the hike was made over a mowed pathway.

Some members took advantage of the berries found along the pathway.

A green dragonfly caught my attention.

Linda Benedict compiled the bird list for the trip:
- ceder waxwing
- red-winged blackbird
- bobolink
- gray catbird
- northern cardinal
- American robin
- American crow
- blue jay
- eastern wood-pewee
- black-capped chickadee
- downy woodpecker
- red-eyed vireo
- green heron
- white-breasted nuthatch
- bald eagle
- cerulean warbler
- Baltimore oriole
- brown creeper
- tree swallow
- yellow-throated vireo
- American goldfinch
- common yellowthroat
- osprey
- pied-billed grebe
- trumpeter swan

At the conclusion of the hike several members had breakfast in Waterloo at the Star Restaurant.

Another great day for birding.