The Cayuga Nation called Cayuga Lake Tiohero, lake of flags or rushes, for the northern marshes where the Seneca River carries the water west toward the Erie Canal. The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 on 10,000 acres of this marsh and wetland landscape. Over 300 bird species have been documented here: great blue herons nest in one of the largest rookeries in the northeast, bald eagles have returned to their pre-DDT range, and the fall migration brings waterfowl counts that can exceed one million birds in a single season. The 3.5-mile auto tour road is open April through November. Come at dawn during spring or fall migration.















