Savannah Mucklands

Contributed by: Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes and Kurt Fox

Rating

Fall	Winter
Spring	Summer

Site history/background

The Savannah Mucklands are a large flat area of agricultural fields northeast of Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Specifically, the Savannah Mucklands are bisected by NYS Route 31 which runs more or less east/west and basically parallels the I-90 which is to the south. NYS Route 31 runs between the Villages of Port Byron and Montezuma to the east and Savannah to the west.

Historically, the mucklands were a vast expanse of swamps and marshes. As settlers arrived, the area was drained for agriculture. Having depleted many of the nutrients for a large variety of crops, the mucklands are now mostly used to grow potatoes. Many farmers in the area have sold their land to state or federal government and the amount of public land around Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is growing.

Best Birding

Birding is best in spring and fall. Large numbers of waterfowl, specifically geese, forage in the fields. Among the Canada and Snow Geese, one should be ever watchful for a Ross's Goose (now annual here), or Greater White-fronted Goose. Sandhill Crane has been found here on more than one occasion. In late August and September, many of the fields have been cultivated. The area is suitable for finding plovers. Killdeer, Black-bellied Plover and American Golden-plovers are annual here, but one may try to find a Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Falcons may zip past looking for a meal. Many other raptors have been spotted here. In fall, several birders visit the Sparrow Area. Winter may hold Short-eared Owls or, sporadically, Snowy Owls.

Warnings

NYS Route 31 is a busy road that is elevated over the mucklands. Guardrails make parking difficult, excepting at either end of the flats, or at the Potato Building. The area may not be publicly accessible - please respect private landowner's right. Be ever watchful of traffic. Hunters frequent the area - expect to here gunshots in hunting season.

Areas of interest

The Potatoes Building is centrally located on the Savannah Mucklands. One car park your car here and scan the fields in all directions for waterfowl, shorebirds, or raptors. Directions are given below.

The Sparrow Area is good for looking for fall migrant sparrows. The Sparrow Area is on the far side of the SW corner of the Mucklands to the south of NYS Route 31. This area is best viewed from a road called Towpath Road. Directions are given below.

Directions

It is West of Syracuse, ESE of Rochester, NW of Auburn, NE of Seneca Falls, and North of Ithaca. Located on the Delorme NYS Atlas and Gazetteer on page XX, block YY.

From the east or west : From US Route 20 and NYS Route 5, turn north onto NYS Route 89 and keep going straight on State Route 89. You will pass the exit to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge auto loop, cross over I-90, pass Tschache Pool on the left and pass May's Point Pool on the right; you will then cross over the Erie Canal. About 1 mile beyond the Erie Canal, NYS Route 89 makes a sharp RIGHT turn where Armitage Road is on the left and another road continues north to Route 31 on the west side of the Village of Savannah. Turn right on NYS Route 89 and go up and over the hills. You will descend to an intersection at NYS Route 31 and you will see an enormous expanse of agricultural fields beyond you to the east....you got it, the Savannah Mucklands . Turning RIGHT onto NYS Route 31 from the intersect of NYS Route 89 and NYS Route 31 will take you toward the Potatoes Building . The Potatoes Building will be on the left (north) side of NYS Route 31. This is the Potatoes Building people make reference to.

From Ithaca , get onto NYS Route 34B going north up the east side of Cayuga Lake. When NYS Route 34B intersects with NYS Route 90 (not to be confused with I-90) you will get onto NYS Route 90 continuing north up the east side of Cayuga Lake. After passing through the Villages of Aurora, Union Springs, and Cayuga, you will come to a stoplight at US Route 20 / NYS Routes 5. (If you turn left onto 5 and 20, the entrance to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge headquarters/visitor center will be the first drive on the right after crossing the bridge.) To head to the Savannah Mucklands, keep going north on NYS Route 90 until you come to your first stop sign/light. This is the Hamlet of Montezuma. You will also see the I-90 on your left as you approach the stop. At the stop, turn left and drive through the small Hamlet of Montezuma until you come to the next stop sign. This intersection is with NYS Route 31. Also note that NYS Route 90 ends at this point. Turn LEFT onto NYS Route 31. After crossing a bridge, you will note a very large expanse of agricultural fields to your left and right (south and north, respectively). These are the Savannah Mucklands . If you drive along NYS Route 31, an old cinder-block building is encountered on your right (north) with the word "Potatoes" on it. This is the Potatoes Building people make reference to.

The Sparrow Area is at the SW corner of the Mucklands to the south of NYS Route 31. This area is best viewed from a road called Towpath Road. To reach Towpath Road from the NYS Route 89 and US Route 20/NYS Route 5 intersection: drive north on NYS Route 89 passing Montezuma's Main Loop, Tschache Pool and May's Point Pool. After crossing the Erie Canal, a small road goes off to the right. The road is labelled 105 and there is a sign indicating of a Fire House. Turn right (east) onto County Road 105A. Drive down about 50 yards or so. The last drive on the LEFT is a dirt road with an OPEN yellow gate. This drive is called Towpath Road and follows along a power line cut. To the best of my knowledge, this drive is ok to access just watch the potholes. The sparrow area is not permissible to access on foot but can be viewed by looking down and to the north of Towpath Road. It might be a great place to catch glimpses of Short-eared Owls in the late evening.

Nearby Birding

Montezuma NWR is only a few minutes to the south. Howland's Island resides just to the east. The mucklands is usually birded along with one (or both) of these two places.

Armitage Road may hold more of the same species. In summer, it offers the potential for Prothonotary Warbler.

Facilities

None. But, one might find a restroom at Montezuma NWR headquarters, or a restroom (and a meal) at one of the local diners in Port Byron or Clyde.

This page was last updated on 18 April 2001.