Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

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The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife preserve operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, encompassing part of the Montezuma Swamp at the north end of Cayuga Lake. The refuge lies between the cities of Rochester and Syracuse, New York (5 miles (8 kilometers) east of Seneca Falls, and 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of Auburn), including parts of Seneca, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties.

The New York Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area borders the national wildlife refuge and protects additional parts of the Montezuma Swamp.

1 History
2 The refuge today
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] History

The name "Montezuma" (adopted from the Aztec ruler) was the name of the estate of Dr. Peter Clark, who donated the land, and later was applied to various parts of the region.

The refuge was opened in 1938 as the Montezuma Migratory Bird Refuge. The refuge provides a stopping point for waterfowl and other migratory birds. The refuge restored marsh land lost to drainage from the construction of the Cayuga and Seneca Canal that linked the Finger Lakes to the Erie Canal.

[edit] The refuge today

The 7,000 acre (28 km²) preserve is composed of swamps, pools and channels and is a stopping point for migratory birds. Planners hope to increase the size of the preserve through donations and purchases of surrounding properties.

The New York State Thruway passes through the north end of the preserve. While passing motorists can glimpse the preserve as they speed along the Thruway, they may obtain a better view from the 3.5 mile (6 km) road that begins at the visitors center south of the Thruway.

The refuge also has an area where Bald Eagles have been nesting in recent years.