Clarks Ridge & the Eagle Hacking Tower

We received special permission from the Montezuma NWR to hike to the eagle hacking tower on Clark's Ridge, over looking Tschache Pool. 14 of us met on Saturday morning to do just that. This is the site where eagles were first reintroduced to NY State and the North East in 1976. Tina Morris, author of Return to the Sky and the then student responsible for caring for the eaglets, spoke at an EBS meeting this year and many were eager to see the place where it all happened.

Clark's Ridge is not part of the Refuge that is open to the public, thus the need for permission. It also means that there is no maintained trail. Though the eBird report says we only walked 1.3 miles, it seemed much longer  as we walked single file through waist high grass. Steve B. Lead the way, thus taking most of the dew and wet with him making it easier for the rest of us. 

The hike was up a hill between the woods and a grassland to the top of the ridge, then on through grass with shrubs on both sides. At least we didn't have to push through shrubs, though we had a few branches to climb over.

All were impressed by the height of the tower Tina had to climb to feed the eaglets. There was a feeling of awe knowing what it took to get our Bald Eagles back. Now they are so easily seen on most visits to our area and all over New York.

Kevin A., Steve B, Linda B, Lyn J, Holly N, Allyn P, Leslie P, Ann R, Inge R, Jasmine, Sue S-V, Steve V, Lori V., Kathy made the trip.

Thanks to Lyn for keeping the list.

--Linda Benedict

WoodMarshTrail, Seneca, New York, US

Jun 7, 2025 8:22 AM - 10:41 AM

Protocol: Traveling

1.37 mile(s)

36 species

Trumpeter Swan 1

Mourning Dove 1

Sora 1

Common Gallinule 1

Sandhill Crane 1

Killdeer 1

Pied-billed Grebe 1

Green Heron 1

Great Blue Heron 2

Turkey Vulture 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Northern Flicker 1

Eastern Wood-Pewee 2

Willow Flycatcher 3

Great Crested Flycatcher 2

Red-eyed Vireo 2

Blue Jay 1

Black-capped Chickadee 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Carolina Wren 2

Gray Catbird 6

Wood Thrush 1

American Robin 3

Cedar Waxwing 1

American Goldfinch 4

Field Sparrow 1

Song Sparrow 3

Swamp Sparrow 1

Bobolink 6

Baltimore Oriole 1

Red-winged Blackbird 6

Brown-headed Cowbird 1

Common Yellowthroat 6

Yellow Warbler 4

Northern Cardinal 4

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2