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About Montezuma

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge was established on September 12, 1938 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge provides resting, feeding, and nesting habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds. Montezuma is situated in the middle of one of the most active flight lanes in the Atlantic Flyway.

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is located at the north end of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. The Refuge contains 2,860 hectares (7,068 acres) and is situated in Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga Counties. The Refuge is 35 miles (56 km) west of Syracuse, 40 miles (64 km) north of Ithaca, and 45 miles (72 km) east of Rochester.

Announcements

Main Pool Drawdown
The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is draining its Main and May's Point Pools. You can find complete information about the drawdowns here.

Shorebirds Return!
Adult shorebirds have begun their long distance migration back to their wintering grounds from the arctic where they breed. The Montezuma Wetlands Complex is one of the most important inland shorebird sites in the northeast. Check shallow water and mud flat habitats throughout the Complex, especially in the Main Pool and May's Point Pool, for shorebirds.The latest bird count is available here.

Water Level Management on the Montezuma Wetlands Complex
Our highest habitat priority on the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is to provide high quality mudflat, freshwater emergent marsh, and open water wetland habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds, marshbirds, and bald eagles, primarily through water level management in freshwater impoundments. More information on water level management during 2009 in impoundments on the Montezuma Wetlands Complex is available here.

Let's Go Outside!

Let's Go Outside

Join MARSH (Montezuma Alliance for the Restoration of Species and Habitats)
MARSH is part of a larger effort to restore, protect, and enhance wildlife habitat on nearly 50,000 acres in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. We are forming a VOLUNTEER GROUP to support the habitat restoration efforts of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at Montezuma. This group will work on controlling invasive species in grassland, shrubland, forest, marsh and river. The work is hands-on as we cut and pull invasive species and replant with natives that will be more beneficial to wildlife and less harmful to Montezuma habitats overall!

Work Day: Tuesday, July 7, 8 am - 1 pm. Meet at the Montezuma NWR Visitor Center.
Work to be done:Pulling frogbit at Tschache Pool. Equipment provided. Please bring water, sunscreen, bug repellent, water shoes (no boots or waders necessary), and please let us know if you need a canoe.

Work Day: Saturday, July 11, 9 am - 1 pm. Meet at the Montezuma Audubon Center.
Work to be done:Pulling water chestnut. Equipment provided. PLEASE BRING WORK GLOVES AND WATER. Insect repellant and high waterproof boots/waders would be helpful as well as a canoe.

LUNCH PROVIDED by the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.

Montezuma Habitat Management Plan
More information on the Plan is available here.