Montezuma Audubon Center Late Summer Program

Montezuma Audubon Center scheduled a birding hike for today.

The Howland Island area of Montezuma is the focus area. This section of the
Wildlife Refuge provides an excellent habitat for several long-distant migrating
birds.

Before joining the group at the MAC stopped at Martens Tract.

At 9:00 AM arrived at the MAC. There Chris Lajewski, MAC Education Manager,
was assembling the group which numbered fourteen. While most of the birders
went in the MAC van, I drove myself. After crossing the bridge to Howland Island
and parked at the trail head for the northwest trail.One of the first birds seen was
a Eastern Wood Pewee.

One birder pointed out White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra).

Since a dried milkweed plant was nearby I took a photo.

The Howland Island trail provided a pleasant walk. The path was dry and there
were no bugs.

At the conclusion of the walk stopped at Knox-Marsellus Marsh. Quiet.

Proceeded to Tschache Pool.

After flying in, a Great Blue Heron gave me a nice shadow shot.

A juvenile bald eagle was soaring over the parking lot.

Finished the day at South Spring Pool. A young couple and their infant child were
at the observation deck.

Walking into the pond came upon a Green Heron and 3 Yellowlegs. There was a
Downy Woodpecker in a tree.

Another great day for birding.