This morning drove to the Montezuma Audubon Center (MAC) to meet up with Naturalist Dave Spier.
Was early so drove into the pull-off across the highway from East Colvin Marsh. There were four Red-winged Blackbirds in the trees plus a Downy Woodpecker. Two pheasants were making their way down to Crusoe Creek.
After leaving MAC and heading south on Rt. 89 we stopped to study the swans in the field beside farm lane east of the highway. Counted four Trumpeter Swans.
On Rt. 89 north of May's Point observed twenty Brown-headed Cowbirds flying among thousands of Red-winged Blackbird.
Continuing south on Rt. 89 just north of Thruway there were thirteen Green-winged Teal, an Osprey perched in a tree and one Red-tailed Hawk. Upon reaching Routes 5&20 we spotted another Red-tailed Hawk.
Pulling into North Spring Pool at the Montezuma NWR there among the stumps, logs and deadwood were Canada Geese, Mallards, Green-winged Teal, a Red-tailed Hawk , two Greater Yellowlegs, and Rusty Blackbirds.
Drove into the entrance of the Visitor Center. Estimated 300 Canada Goose - 40 flying and hundreds to the north past Visitor Center building. Along the entrance were American Wigeons, Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, Green-winged Teals, Greater Yellowlegs and a Northern Harrier.
From the Visitor's Deck we were able to observe Canada Geese, an American Wigeon, two American Black Ducks, Mallards, one Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teals, Northern Harrier (probably the same one as by the entrance), and two Greater Yellowlegs.
At LaRue's Lagoon there was a Great Blue Heron. Close in the channel by the Auto-Drive in the Main Pool there were six American Coots. Across the road were three Canada Geese.
In the new shorebird area north of photo blind on west side of the Auto-Drive, there were fifteen Black-bellied Plovers, a Killdeer, and seventy Dunlins. At Benning Marsh we observed another Great Blue Heron and a Killdeer. Leaving the Auto-Drive a Red-tail Hawk flew across Rt. 89 and landed in tree on west side of road. North of Armitage near Wiley Rd. there was another Red-tailed Hawk. A White-breasted Nuthatch flew across Wiley Rd. and landed in a tree near the Wiley schoolhouse woods.
On Hogback Road at Colvin's pond were four of the its resident Trumpeter Swans.
Just before the MAC there were now nine Trumpeter Swans in the field east of Rt. 89. At Colvin Marsh we noted another Red-tail Hawk. It has been a busy day for the Hawk Family.
After leaving Dave at the MAC stopped once again to observe the Trumpeter Swans. This time there were by my count fifteen.
A great day for Red-tail Hawks and Trumpeter Swans. Plus four new birds for me: Northern Pintail, Black-billed Plover, Dunlin, and Rusty Blackbird.
