Iroquois Goose (record your find)
Placed on 9/4/04 near Alabama, NY (Genesee County)
The first of the Highlander series! The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is part of US Fish & Wildlife Service federal refuge system. Of course, you can go find the goose anytime of the year you wish but we highly recommend early April...especially at sunrise or sunset. This is when the waterfowl migration is at its peak. It's truly breathtaking as the skies are constantly swirling with wave after wave of geese and ducks making their way up north to their nesting grounds. It's important to remember that all areas of the refuge are closed to the public after dark...even the overlook.
To get to the refuge:From the NYS Thruway, take the Medina/Pembroke exit #48A. Head north on Route 63 through Indian Creek & into Alabama (the only stoplight on this road). Turn left onto Route 77 and head west for about 2 or 3 miles. The Cayuga Overlook will show up on your right.
To find the goose:Find the "saddest" tree you can find. The goose is nesting right in the lowest crotch of the tree. Please be sure to be discreet in acquiring and replacing our goose. Especially, if you go in the spring during peak migration as there will be many birdwatchers at this overlook at that time. Also, you will have to step up on the tree a bit to get to the goose...we stood on a large knot that sticks out right at knee level to place it. Watch your step!
Placed on 9/6/04 near Alabama, NY (Genesee County)
The second of the Highlander series! The Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area is state land right next to federal land (Iroquois Nat'l Wildlife Refuge). Of course, you can go find the widgeon anytime of the year you wish but we highly recommend early April...especially at sunrise or sunset. This is when the waterfowl migration is at its peak. It's truly breathtaking as the skies are constantly swirling with wave after wave of geese and ducks making their way up north to their nesting grounds.
NOTE: All areas of the refuge are closed to the public after dark.
To get to the refuge:
From the NYS Thruway, take the Medina/Pembroke exit #48A. Head north on Route 63 through Indian Creek & into Alabama (the only stoplight on this road). Turn left onto Route 77 and head west for about 2 or 3 miles. Head PAST the Cayuga Overlook to where Meadville Road (heads south) and Salt Road (heads north) intersect.
To find the widgeon:
Turn left down Meadville Road. Head down this road for 1.2 miles toward the woods and stop at the gate with the chain in the middle on your left (has a big maple tree it). There'll be a few smaller gates you'll pass, but ignore those. Park at the mouth of the path, then go under the chain (or around the fence itself) and walk all the way to the next gate, which should be a large yellow pole across the road. Go just off the trail into the underbrush on the left, behind the boulders and the foliage. In the underbrush, you'll see another good sized boulder that hidden from view of the path. The widgeon is nesting right behind that boulder.
The widgeon is pretty secure, but as usual, please be sure to be discreet in acquiring and replacing it. Lots of birdwatchers hang around during peak migration and hunters like to scope out the land as well. Also, you will have to go a little ways into the underbrush for this box...wear some mosquito repellant and long pants!
Oak Orchard Black Duck (record your find)
Placed on 9/19/04 near Oakfield, NY (Genesee County)
Head out toward Oakfield, New York out to the Oak Orchard State Wildlife Management Area using Albion Road. You'll see a large wood and metal open air observation tower on your left (if you're heading north) or right (if you're heading south). Stop and park in the gravel circle. Head for the observation tower. Climb up to the 4th landing and check the metal crossbeams that support the tower right in front of you (by the way, we picked up this particular style of letterbox from the prolific and amazingly crafty Elba Onions!)
Note: We recommend letting the Woodland Flower Sprite welcome you before bagging the duck...if you get her first, you can carry her and the duck up to the top of the observation tower and get a WONDERFUL view of the refuge.
Niagara River Canvasback (record your find)
Note: This box is currently listed as missing! We haven’t been able to search personally, but have had several folks not find it…search at your own risk!
Placed on 1/9/05 near Grand Island, NY (Erie County)
Head out to Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island in New York. Take the park roads and turn right at picnic areas 4 & 5 near the sledding hill. Park once you cross the bridge. To your right are two picnic tables near the water’s edge. The furthest one is hidden by some undergrowth, which you’ll need to go to the left of through a little open area to get to. Even further to the left of this space is the largest tree in the area, also surrounded by some undergrowth. Check the rock at the foot of this tree for our duck.
Note: Don’t leave before stopping for the second tune in our Life Lessons From the Jukebox Series, Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)!
Placed on 1/9/05 near Alabama, NY (Genesee County)
To find this duck, head out to the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge off Route 63, a good 6 miles north of the NYS Thruway. After passing the flashing light in Alabama, start looking for Roberts Road on your right. Turn right on Roberts and head to Sour Springs Road. Turn left on Sour Springs and follow the road out to Oak Orchard Creek, which flows under the first bridge you come to. Check the quadruple trunked tree on the left just over the bridge for our wood duck, but stay still and look around for the real ones that populate this area in the spring.
Note: Sour Springs is a seasonal road, so it tends to be filled with potholes and not paved very well. In the winter, the road is only open up to the nature trail, but you can park and walk past the “Road Closed” sign to the bridge. Regardless, exercise caution in making your way out here and to the box!
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