As reported by others, the Garganey, originally found by Jay McGowan on Sunday, was seen again by many on Tuesday evening in the southwest corner of Know-Marcellus Marsh. It was viewed from East Road. Since this can be a difficult bird to find, due mainly to challenging viewing conditions (long distance, obstructing vegetation, wind shaking your spotting scope), I thought I would make some suggestions for those who are still hoping to see it.
Knox-Marcellus Marsh is a huge impoundment on the north side of Montezuma NWR. Since access to the refuge is prohibited, except in designated areas, birders are confined to looking for the Garganey from either East Road, which is a gravel road on the west side of the marsh, or Towpath Road, which is a dirt road in very poor condition on the south side of the marsh. A high clearance vehicle is recommended if you are going to attempt to drive down Towpath Road. There is a risk of bottoming out, which we did once - fortunately, no damage. Viewing from East Road generally allows one to see more of the birds in the marsh because you are more elevated than on Towpath Road. However, since the bird can sometimes be seen from one spot but not from another a few feet away due to obstructing vegetation, sometimes looking from a different angle can make the difference. In addition, Towpath Road allows closer viewing of some of the birds. The Garganey was originally found by Jay fairly close to Towpath Road, in the southeast corner of the marsh. Lighting in the morning is probably more favorable from Towpath Road, in the evening it is better from East Road. The Garganey seems to show a preference for the southwest corner of Knox-Marcellus Marsh, where it has been seen multiple times now, especially in the evening. If in that corner, it might be very difficult, perhaps impossible, to see from Towpath Road. There are lots of other interesting birds being found at Knox-Marcellus: Sandhill Cranes, Least Bittern (southeast corner), Common Gallinules, Snow Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Black-bellied Plovers and other shorebirds, a variety of other ducks, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Cerulean Warbler, and Orchard Oriole to name some. Good luck to all who try for this bird and congratulations to Jay on a fabulous discovery! Good birding! Willie ------------------ Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Wilson, NY dannapotterATroadrunner.com Betsy's website: http://www.betsypottersart.com/ Willie's photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/107683885@N07/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
