Montezuma NWR 10/26/25

We met at the Visitor Center Sunday morning to check what is currently going on at Montezuma NWR. Because of the government shutdown no bathrooms were available. I know that Linda Ziemba, biologist, is going in once a week, unpaid, to manage the water levels so to balance can be maintained. I glad to say we didn't see any abuse of the property, which can happen with no staff present.

It was a beautiful clear morning. Those of us driving in from the west were treated to great sunrise.

We started by walking the Seneca Trail, which was not overly busy, I think the birds were waiting for it to warm up a bit. We did see 22 species, the white-crowned sparrows were a highlight, and had a fun walk. If was fun to see the eagle nest, which we consider the Eaton nest because we discovered it when the very first branches were being added on one of our field trips 

Next we grouped up into 3 cars. Steve VanKirk got the cars all connected by phone. Still it's always hard to see what is being seen in other cars.  As you can see from the list, we had a good smattering of ducks. It was hard to find them in the high veg.  The Main Pool was drawn down this summer in order to grow duck food. Due to the very dry summer it is slow to refill, but it is clear that there is plenty of food for the duck migration. 

Most of us went for breakfast after, which is always a good way to top of the trip.

Thanks to Lyn and Holly for keeping checklists and to Lyn for putting together the info below, making my job of reporting very easy.

Attending: Steve & Linda B, Paul E, Lyn J, Holly N, Allyn P, Leslie P, Peter S, Steve & Lori V

Montezuma NWR--Seneca Trail, Seneca, New York, US

Oct 26, 2025 8:00 AM - 9:10 AM

Protocol: Traveling

1.0 mile(s)

22 species

Canada Goose 700

Trumpeter Swan 2

Wood Duck 2

Mallard 10

Sandhill Crane 10

Double-crested Cormorant 9

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Downy Woodpecker 3

Blue Jay 4

Carolina Wren 2

European Starling 7

American Robin 24

Cedar Waxwing 4

Dark-eyed Junco 7

White-crowned Sparrow 6

White-throated Sparrow 12

Song Sparrow 5

Swamp Sparrow 4

Red-winged Blackbird 10

Common Grackle 2

Yellow-rumped Warbler 1

Northern Cardinal 1

Montezuma NWR--Wildlife Drive, Seneca, New York, US

Oct 26, 2025 9:27 AM - 10:51 AM

Protocol: Traveling

3.259 mile(s)

26 species

Canada Goose 150

Wood Duck 6

Blue-winged Teal 1

Northern Shoveler 46

Gadwall 5

Mallard 100

American Black Duck 3

Northern Pintail 1

Green-winged Teal 25

Redhead 1

Ring-necked Duck 23

American Coot 4

Ring-billed Gull 1

Great Blue Heron 2

Northern Harrier 4

Bald Eagle 2

Blue Jay 2

European Starling 8

American Robin 3

American Goldfinch 1

Field Sparrow 1 Small sparrow with pink bill, eye ring, rusty crown.

Dark-eyed Junco 1

White-crowned Sparrow 1

White-throated Sparrow 5

Song Sparrow 2

Red-winged Blackbird 29

--Linda