Month: April 2015

Montezuma NWR (hand) Delivers

*Click on photos to enlarge.*

~ After being released into the wild, a recently rehabilitated male Canvasback caught mid wing flap, Montezuma NWR, 4/4/15.~
~ After being released into the wild, a recently rehabilitated male Canvasback enjoys a vigorous wing flap, Montezuma NWR, 4/4/15.~

On Saturday, the day before Easter, my brother-in-law Bill and I made it out to Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge by the early afternoon. We started at the visitor’s center and drove Wildlife Drive and then hit many of the usual spots at the refuge, including May’s Point Pool, Tschache Pool, and East Road. We did well in spite of many of the pools still being frozen over and up until that point we had 35 species for the day:

~One of nearly 20 American Coots seen from Wildlife Drive at Montezuma NWR, 4/4/15.~
~One of nearly 20 American Coots seen from Wildlife Drive at Montezuma NWR, 4/4/15.~

Snow Goose
Canada Goose
Tundra Swan
Gadwall
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
American Crow
American Robin
European Starling
American Pipit
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle

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~Bill located this very confiding Pied-billed Grebe on our way out of Wildlife Drive, Montezuma NWR, 4/4/15.~
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~Tunda Swan splashdown, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 4/4/15.~

The highlight of the day, however, came at our last stop of the day. We made our way over to the ‘Potato Fields’ to get a better look at the Snow Geese that we had seen from East Road. We were scanning the fields, I was hoping to turn some Tundra Swans into a Trumpeter, which was one of the birds I was really hoping to see. A car pulled in behind us and a couple got out. They asked us if we had seen any Trumpeter Swans and I said no but I was really hoping for one. The woman responded by saying she had a Trumpeter with her. I had no idea what that could possibly mean. The woman’s name was Cynthia Page, and she explained that she was a wildlife rehabilitator from the Page Wildlife Center in Manlius NY. She had not only a Trumpeter Swan, but also two Canvasbacks and a Redhead which had all been rehabilitated and she was releasing them. What a great opportunity!  We got great looks at these fabulous birds as she released each of them into the water. The Redhead wasn’t on the ground for more than a few moments before she took flight. The two Canvasbacks lingered enough for some photos and then took off. The Trumpeter Swan, which was released last, took her time getting reoriented and I took many photos and really enjoyed seeing this big beautiful bird. Cynthia expained that the swan had been hit by a car and had lost one eye. The experience was fascinating and I thought, very lucky.

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~Another rehabilitated bird enjoys a wing flap, Trumpeter Swan at Montezuma NWR, 4/415.~
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~Trumpeter Swan at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 4/4/15.~

 

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~Tell me this guy doesn’t seem happy to be back in the wild? Canvasback released into the wild, Montezuma NWR, 4/4/15.~
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~Here’s a look at the Trumpeter Swan’s missing eye. She kept her good eye on us almost the entire time.~

 

 

Montezuma NWR Sneak Peak

*Click on photos to enlarge*

~A Tundra Swan comes in for a landing at the Potato Fields at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 4/4/15. Note the Snow Geese in the background.~
~A Tundra Swan comes in for a landing at the Potato Fields at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 4/4/15. Note the Snow Geese in the background.~ 

As we traditionally do, Tricia and I made it up to Syracuse for the weekend to celebrate Easter with her family. Which means a visit to one of my favorite birding spots – Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Unfortunately, we got home very late on Sunday night and then I worked late tonight, so I was not able to put a post together yet. Montezuma is a super birding spot which has never disappointed me, and this year there was an additional surprise… full post tomorrow!

6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary 4/1/15

 

I got a nice look at this Red-tailed Hawk at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 4/1/15.
I got a nice look at this Red-tailed Hawk at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 4/1/15.

I made a quick stop by 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary this afternoon. I am happy to report almost all the ice has finally melted and there was some waterfowl present, including the highlight of the day, a pair of COMMON GOLDENEYES. Here is my list for the afternoon:

~Song Sparrow in nice evening light, 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 4/1/15.~
~Song Sparrow in nice evening light, 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 4/1/15.~

Canada Goose
Mute Swan
American Black Duck
Northern Pintail
Ring-necked Duck
Common Goldeneye 
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
American Crow
Tree Swallow 
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle