Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge LbNA #6479 (ARCHIVED)
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Add Location| Owner: | Cock o' the Trail  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Nov 18, 2003 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Seneca Falls |
| County: | Seneca |
| State: | New York |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | Cock o' the Trail |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Aug 13, 2014 |
| Status: | FFFFaFFFFFaaFFFFFFOm |
| Last edited: | Feb 3, 2021 |
Information: http://www.fws.gov/R5MNWR
Visitor Center: 315-568-5987
weekdays 10-3; weekends 10-4
Reconditioned and replaced 05-18-2018, but then removed (temporarily?) at the insistence of the Visitor Services Manager that "leaving any personal property in any National Wildlife Refuge is prohibited", never mind that this letterbox has been in place for 15 years. Please check back.
Well, this has been reinstated to its usual place in May of 2019, awaiting you bird- or nature-lovers once again, The case against its placement never had any merit. (Found May 29, 2020) (NOTE: THIS LB WAS VANDALIZED AGAIN IN 2020 AND HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED)
Taking to the road at dawn, go search out the source of this vast outpouring of Canada geese, or at dusk follow them home again; you will come to the sprawling Montezuma Marsh. Lying at the shallow north end of Cayuga Lake in central New York, it has offered a stopping place for migratory birds following the Atlantic Flyway for centuries. Drained by canal construction, it was re-flooded and designated a National Wildlife Refuge in 1938.
Watching these morning and evening flights can be mesmerizing . . . the wedges and echelons of birds form and reform, much like clouds of the air, as individual birds seek to find some more comfortable place in the orderly, yet ever-changing formations. Smaller flocks of ducks scurry past at lower altitude, seemingly in more of a hurry. And of course the great blue heron, with its raucous cry, and the less common bald eagle can be found with more diligence. But don't count on finding the recently-sighted white-faced ibis that was apparently blown in on the winds of hurricane Isabel. However, you should note the several, ever-larger osprey nests perched atop electrical transmission towers as you drive by on Routes NY 5 & US 20. Note that these nests are still there and active in 2018, and ever-larger; several are now about two feet tall !
The seven-thousand acre Refuge includes parts of three counties - Seneca, Cayuga, and Wayne. It is bisected by the Seneca and Clyde Rivers, as well as, more surprisingly, the New York State Thruway (I-90). Whether such intrusions are a disturbing element to wildlife can be endlessly argued, but like the Northway in the Adirondack region it makes many more people aware of this ecological treasure.
The Visitor Center is located on a short access road off NY 5 and US 20, just west of the intersection with NY 90. It offers exhibits, a viewing platform, and a Wildlife Drive. No camping here, but picnic tables and restrooms (in season) are useful accessories for the letterboxer; there is no parking fee.
_________________
Changes in the signing here have called for new clues, although the original ones had brought 36 finders to the box. From the east end of the parking lot, find the sign for "Observation Tower" and "Seneca Trail". This will lead you to the restrooms. as well as towards the viewing platform at the edge of the Main Pool. Stand with your back to the wall just north of the door to "Women" and look straight out at 40° to view a promising arboreal feature. A short walk of 75 steps across the field will permit a closer look. Fear not . . .reach in; good things sometimes come in small packages.
Then, go look for exotic bird-sightings or enjoy a picnic or the Center.
(This letterbox is accessible . . . within reason . . . in snow cover.)
Visitor Center: 315-568-5987
weekdays 10-3; weekends 10-4
Reconditioned and replaced 05-18-2018, but then removed (temporarily?) at the insistence of the Visitor Services Manager that "leaving any personal property in any National Wildlife Refuge is prohibited", never mind that this letterbox has been in place for 15 years. Please check back.
Well, this has been reinstated to its usual place in May of 2019, awaiting you bird- or nature-lovers once again, The case against its placement never had any merit. (Found May 29, 2020) (NOTE: THIS LB WAS VANDALIZED AGAIN IN 2020 AND HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED)
Taking to the road at dawn, go search out the source of this vast outpouring of Canada geese, or at dusk follow them home again; you will come to the sprawling Montezuma Marsh. Lying at the shallow north end of Cayuga Lake in central New York, it has offered a stopping place for migratory birds following the Atlantic Flyway for centuries. Drained by canal construction, it was re-flooded and designated a National Wildlife Refuge in 1938.
Watching these morning and evening flights can be mesmerizing . . . the wedges and echelons of birds form and reform, much like clouds of the air, as individual birds seek to find some more comfortable place in the orderly, yet ever-changing formations. Smaller flocks of ducks scurry past at lower altitude, seemingly in more of a hurry. And of course the great blue heron, with its raucous cry, and the less common bald eagle can be found with more diligence. But don't count on finding the recently-sighted white-faced ibis that was apparently blown in on the winds of hurricane Isabel. However, you should note the several, ever-larger osprey nests perched atop electrical transmission towers as you drive by on Routes NY 5 & US 20. Note that these nests are still there and active in 2018, and ever-larger; several are now about two feet tall !
The seven-thousand acre Refuge includes parts of three counties - Seneca, Cayuga, and Wayne. It is bisected by the Seneca and Clyde Rivers, as well as, more surprisingly, the New York State Thruway (I-90). Whether such intrusions are a disturbing element to wildlife can be endlessly argued, but like the Northway in the Adirondack region it makes many more people aware of this ecological treasure.
The Visitor Center is located on a short access road off NY 5 and US 20, just west of the intersection with NY 90. It offers exhibits, a viewing platform, and a Wildlife Drive. No camping here, but picnic tables and restrooms (in season) are useful accessories for the letterboxer; there is no parking fee.
_________________
Changes in the signing here have called for new clues, although the original ones had brought 36 finders to the box. From the east end of the parking lot, find the sign for "Observation Tower" and "Seneca Trail". This will lead you to the restrooms. as well as towards the viewing platform at the edge of the Main Pool. Stand with your back to the wall just north of the door to "Women" and look straight out at 40° to view a promising arboreal feature. A short walk of 75 steps across the field will permit a closer look. Fear not . . .reach in; good things sometimes come in small packages.
Then, go look for exotic bird-sightings or enjoy a picnic or the Center.
(This letterbox is accessible . . . within reason . . . in snow cover.)