Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is a nature reserve by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, which includes a portion of the Montezuma wetlands on the north shore of Cayuga Lake. The nature reserve is located between the cities of Rochester and Syracuse (New York) ( 8 km east of Seneca Falls, and 16 km west of Auburn ) and is located in areas of the counties of Seneca, Cayuga and Wayne.

The Montezuma Marshes was established in May 1973 a National Natural Landmark. This includes a territory which is one of the most natural, forested wetlands of New York.

The history

The Finger Lakes Region (Finger Lakes ) was formed by melting glaciers during the last ice age, more than a thousand years ago. The north and south ends of the lakes were gradually to marshland. The first inhabitants of the region were the Algonquin Indians imd later, the Cayugas came from the Iroquois nation to do so. The name " Montezuma " was first used in 1806, when Dr. Peter Clark his villa " Montezuma " named after the Aztec ruler Montezuma 's palace in Mexico City. So the marshes, the place and the nature reserve were given that name.

The nature reserve today

The current 28 km2 area consists mainly of marshes, ponds, and canals and is a popular stopover for migratory birds. Sponsors of the nature reserve hope that the size could be expanded by adjacent areas would be bought.

The New York State Thruway runs through the northern marginal zone of the nature reserve. A better insight into the nature park you get from a 6 km long road south of the Thruway, which begins at the visitor center.

Within the reserve there is also a zone, have nested in the bald eagle in recent years.