As in the past couple years, Montezuma NWR's dikes around Knox-Marsellus Marsh, which are ordinarily closed to the public, will be open to birders on foot for several field trips in the summer to look for shorebirds on the mud flats where the water has been drawn down.
I am leading the first such trip of which I am aware. Meet at the Montezuma NWR Visitor Center off NYS-5/US-20 between NYS-89 and NYS-90. I plan to leave there at *8am*. Because the NYS-89 bridge over the Eire Canal and Clyde river is closed, I suggest driving east on NYS-5/US-20, north (and north again) on NYS-90, west on NYS-31, west on NYS-89, and south on East Road to the overlook. Because Towpath Road is in such terrible shape with huge ponds gouged out by inconsiderate drivers of 4-wheelers and pick-up trucks, I plan to walk down starting at *8:20am* from the overlook and along the north side of K-M marsh to the dike between K-M and Puddler where viewing in the morning light will be best for the mud flats on K-M. Although you may leave whenever you like, I would like the group to start out together so we can share our observations and learn from one another. Bring field guides, binoculars, telescopes if you have them (and please be willing to share views with those who don't). Dress for the weather (sun, wind, &/or rain), for the vegetation (grass which may be mowed by then but may be wet), and for the wildlife (bring mosquito repellent!). There is no fee or membership required. I believe there will be another field trip led by Steve Benedict on 15 August, but I don't know when, exactly where, or any details. When I learn more about that or other such trips, I will pass the info along. --Dave Nutter -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
