Date: 4/15/26 11:33 am From: Ziemba, Linda (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Shorebird Habitat at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in 2026
Hi Everybody,
These are our plans for shorebird habitat in public viewing areas at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge this year. Please keep in mind that these plans are weather, staffing, and funding dependent so subject to change.
Regarding weather, large rainfall events can have short-term impacts on refuge habitats. Sometimes heavy rains flood all our mudflats too much for shorebirds. In that scenario, it’s likely the rain also flooded previously dry farm fields, potentially creating shorebird habitat in those locations. Try checking off-refuge in that situation and revisiting the refuge after the water levels have gone back down.
Providing waterbird habitat is our highest biological priority so we spend a lot of time on it, and providing shorebird habitat is particularly labor intensive. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has lost 18% of our staff since January 2025 to improve government efficiency. As a result, Montezuma staff are spending more time assisting other refuges and less time at Montezuma.
Northbound Shorebird Migration
The impoundment we’re drawing down for spring shorebird habitat is not accessible to the public. You may be able to view shorebird habitats at these locations:
* Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area - Guy's Marsh, Carncross Flats, Deep Muck Marsh, Loop Rd Flats, and M&M Marsh
* Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge - Cayuga Subimpoundment (a.k.a. Kumpf Marsh)
* Tonowanda Wildlife Management Area – North Feeder Marsh
Southbound Shorebird Migration
* Will monitor several units for nesting marsh birds to inform drawdown decisions
* Considerations will be taken for nesting and fledging black terns and other nesting species
* Will try to stagger units or parts of units with mudflats from late June to November to address fast-changing habitat conditions
Possible Units Early Part of Migration (i.e., late June/July)
* May’s Point Pool
* Puddler Marsh
*
Benning Marsh
*
Seneca Flats
*
Visitor Center Wetland - To provide shorebird habitat in the Visitor Center Wetland, we need to mow and disc, then pump in water. Locations in the unit where we disc are dependent on the distribution of invasive plants, the availability of staff time and equipment, and the weather.
Knox-Marsellus Marsh
* Expect to begin drawing down for shorebirds in August
* Cannot draw down earlier due to water needs for invasive water chestnut control
* We could use your help in hand-pulling this invasive plant
Guided Programs
* No guided shorebird walks this year due to operational constraints
* Will reconsider on a year-by-year basis moving forward
* Contact Andrea at <Andrea_VanBeusichem...><mailto:<Andrea_VanBeusichem...> with questions about public use programs
Thank you for supporting conservation and the Montezuma Wetlands Complex!
Linda Ziemba
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Linda Chorba Ziemba
Wildlife Biologist
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
3395 US Route 20 East
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
315-406-0052 - Voicemail and call log are not working. If I don't answer, please hang up and text or email.
<linda_ziemba...>
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the U.S. for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
