Wildlife

Birds

Western New York lies along the Atlantic Flyway, a major north/south route traveled by migrating birds between their nesting and wintering grounds. Two hundred and sixty six species of birds have been recorded on Iroquois. Sixty species are considered year-round residents.

Of the tens of thousands of Canada geese winging their way northward each year, only about two hundred pairs nest on the refuge. For most Iroquois is a stopover point on the way to their nesting grounds in Canada. Twenty species of ducks also use the refuge use the refuge throughout the year. Waterfowl migration peaks in the spring from mid-March through early April. Fall migration peaks, generally from mid-September through early October.

Shorebird migration peaks are in May and again in July and August with yellowlegs, dowitchers, sandpipers, killdeer, American woodcock and snipe being common species.

Twenty-one species of birds of prey either nest on or migrate through the refuge. Red-tailed hawks and American kestrel are the most common. Over the years, two pair of bald eagles and a pair of osprey have established nest sites on the refuge. Occasionally immature eagles are also seen. Eagles stay on or near the refuge for most of the year, leaving only to find open water in winter or in times of drought. Osprey migrate out in the fall.

Bird List 1.02 MB pdf

A bird list is also available at the refuge visitor contact station or by mail.

Bald eagles have been nesting on the refuge since 1986. The first pair were 2 of 42 eaglets that were relocated (hacked) from Alaska in an attempt to restore bald eagles in New York State. A second eagle nest was established in 2001. For a history of eagle activity on the refuge click here. 42 KB pdf

Mammals

The diversity of Refuge wetland and upland habitats support most of the resident mammals common to western New York, with 42 species recorded for the Refuge. The most conspicuous species include white-tailed deer, muskrat, red fox, eastern cottontail, and gray squirrel. Infrequent sightings of coyote and river otter have been reported.

Mammal list 1.62 MB pdf

A mammal list is also available at the refuge visitor contact station or by mail.

You will need Adobe Reader software to open the pdf documents above. If you do not have this software, you may obtain it free of charge by following the link above.

Fish

Warm water fish species including northern pike, bass, black crappie, bullhead, carp, sunfish and yellow perch reside in the pools and Oak Orchard Creek. Freshwater clams and mussels are also found here.

Reptiles/Amphibians

The most familiar reptiles on the refuge are the midland painted turtle and snapping turtle. During sunny days painted turtles perch on logs in the marsh to bask in the sun. Snapping turtles are often seen searching for a place to lay their eggs along roadsides or on dikes.

Snakes including eastern garter snake and brown water snakes may show themselves on sunny days. Less common sightings include Northern brown snake, Northern redbelly, smooth green snake, black rat snake and Eastern milk snake-- none of which are poisonous.

Amphibians include frogs, toads and salamanders. As the temperatures rise in spring, Northern spring peeper, Western chorus frog, Northern leopard frog, Northern gray tree frog, green frog, and Eastern American toad make their presence known through a chorus of songs as they try to attract mates. Salamanders including blue-spotted and Jefferson salamanders are rarely seen, only coming out in the evenings from their protective cover of leaves to hunt for insects along the forest floor.

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