Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)flying over Cayuga lookout (Iroquois NWR)-2/15/05- © David Malak

     The Alabama Swamp Complex is made up of The Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area (WMA), The Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area, and the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (INWR). Together they make up over 19,000 acres of protected state & federal wetlands.

     The Tonawanda WMA starts at the south-eastern edge of Niagara County and crosses into Genesee county with it's southern border ending at the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. This State owned wetland covering 5,684 acres not only provides a resting place for migratory birds, but also can store up to 4,000 acre-feet of flood water protecting the village of Wolcottsville located to the west.

Cayuga Overlook on Iroquois NWR (note eagle & nest)- 2/23/05 - © David Malak


Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) - 3/22/05 - ©David Malak

     Established in 1958 the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge follows to the east and consists of 10,818 acres of federally protected swamp woodland, marsh, wet meadows, forrests & cultivated fields. The primary objective of the refuge is to offer a protected place for birds to rest and feed. During spring migration the refuge is home to over 100,000 waterfowl! The INWR is home to 42 species of mammals & has recorded 268 spiecies of birds to date! The most famous of coarse is the Bald Eagles which have nested on the refuge since 1986.

Ringneck Marsh Overlook on Iroquois NWR, just starting to melt. -2/15/05- © David Malak

Oak Orchard is where I spend a lot of my time photographing - © David Malak

     Still Traveling east when you leave the INWR, you are entering the Oak Orchard WMA, which is a 2,500 acre state run facility.

"The Boardwalk" - 10/19/05 -© David Malak

Stay Tuned....more to come.....