Birding - MNWR

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Departed the driveway looking forward to a scheduled 9 AM birding hike at the Montezuma Audubon Center.

Driving along McDonald Road passed this Mallard Domestic hybrid in a farm front yard.

Made a quick visit to Muckrace Flats. There found a lone Trumpeter Swan, a pair of Canada Geese, and a pair of Wigeons.

Proceeded to Crusoe Creek boat launch. First Goldfinch of the year.

No one showed up at the MAC so I continued on my way. Cruising down Rt. 89 saw that the Osprey have returned to the nest that was destroyed by the wind storm last summer.

Entering Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge saw Don and Ruth driving the company truck. Traveling around the Auto-Drive saw Northern Shovelers, Red-wing Balckbirds, Ring-billed Gulls (one eating a fish), Juvenile Bald Eagles, Ring-necked Ducks, American Coots, Blue-winged Teal,
and a Redhead.

Leaving the Auto-Drive pulled into North Spring Pool. There is the Southeast corner were two Osprey on the nest/platform and one Osprey was flying overhead.

Skunk cabbage is out in abundance.

The Osprey was perched near the tower nest at the Cayuga-Seneca lock.

On my way home stopped at Harris Park. The Osprey are using the nest adjacent to the village office. The Osprey was on the nest, then flew off to fish, returning to enjoy his catch on a tree.

 Another great day for birding.

Week Seventeen (Revisited) - 35 To Go

Not your typical Banks novel. Peter Robinson may have lost his game. But let’s hope not - previously Robinson was very entertaining.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2014

Week Seventeen - 35 To Go

As with his previous 13 Joe Pickett novels, CJ Box once again tells a good story. Helps if you know the Joe Pickett’s history that being said this novel will keep your interest until the rodeo stops. Oh yeah, good to have the master falconer back too.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2014

Week Sixteen - 36 To Go

 Always learn something new about Venice when I read a Donna Leon novel.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2014

Week Fifteen - 37 To Go

The real James Patterson steps up with help from Marshall Karp. A trademark Patterson crime mystery - packed with action, fascinating characters, thick plot. Look forward to the elite team’s return in NYPD RED 3.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2014

April Fools' Day Birding

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Drive

March 2014 will end up as the 4th coldest March in Central New York, since 1902.  March 2014 was the 5th straight month with an average temperature below normal.

So when I awoke this morning to see the ground not covered with snow, the outdoor temperature approaching the 30s, and not wanting Joan to pull a prank on me, the decision to go birding was a no-brainer.

My first stop was River Road where two eagles were perched in the trees at the point.

Went on to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. There along the entrance driveway were several ducks. The American Wigeons and Northern Shovelers stood out.

Parking next to the Visitors' Center viewed an Eastern bluebird perched on the railing and a Tree Swallow flitting over the roof. Spoke with Andrea who informed me that the wildlife drive was open.

Just pass Larue's Lagoon were several Red-winged Blackbirds,

a muskrat was digging a hole through the ice,

an American Crow and a gull were feasting on a fish,

and a Great Blue Heron was perched on a muskrat mound.

Continuing on the Wildlife Drive came upon two Gadwalls, two Tundra Swans, and two Canada Geese.

Leaving the Wildlife Drive took a quick trip over to May's Point. Near the observation deck on top of a bush was a song sparrow.

Heading home there on Rt. 90 just north of the village of Cayuga was a lone Snow Goose.

Another great day for birding.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2014

What's not to love about a challenge? Here is one, 2014 52 Books in 52 Weeks, that runs from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. The rules are simple.

Sign up is easy.

Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Six
Week Seven
Week Eight
Week Nine
Week Ten
Week Eleven
Week Twelve
Week Thriteen
Week Fourteen
Week Fifteen
Week Sixteen
Week Seventeen
Week Seventeen (Revisited)
Week Eighteen
Week Nineteen
Week Twenty
Week Twenty-One
Week Twenty-Two
Week Twenty-Three 
Week Twenty-Four
Week Twenty-Five
Week Twenty-Six
Week Twenty-Seven
Week Twenty-Eight
Week Twenty-Nine
Week Thirty
Week Thirty-One
Week Thirty-Two
Week Thirty-Three 
Week Thirty-Four
Week Thirty-Five
Week Thirty-Six
Week Thirty-Seven 
Week Thirty-Eight
Week Thirty-Nine
Week Forty
Week Forty-One
Week Forty-Two
Week Forty-Three
Week Forty-Four
Week Forty-Five
Week Forty-Six
Week Forty-Seven
Week Forty-Eight
Week Forty-Nine
Week Fifty
Week Fifty-One
Week Fifty-Two  

View all my reviews

Previous successful challenges:

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2012

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2011
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2010