Mundy Wildflower Garden
This spot, which is just a short walk from Comstock Knoll, has traditionally been one of the best places in the Ithaca area to see migrant songbirds, especially warblers. More than twenty species of warblers have been sighted here, including a rare Kentucky Warbler in May 1999. A short walk here in early May can quickly turn into a long outing, as a colorful assortment of Neotropical migrants--Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, vireos (including a White-eyed Vireo in May 2004), thrushes, flycatchers, and all the warblers--can keep birders busy for quite some time. Some of these species, such as Baltimore Oriole, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Warbling Vireo, will remain at Mundy to breed, joining resident species like Red-bellied Woodpecker and Carolina Wren. During the spring and summer months, check along Fall Creek for Northern Rough-winged Swallow and other swallows, as well as Great Blue Heron, Common Merganser, and Spotted Sandpiper. Finally, the wildflower garden is also home to the famous Mundy Eastern Screech-Owl. To find this sometimes-elusive bird, look first for the two sycamore trees (pictured at right) located along a small pond and position yourself in the same spot as the photographer of the picture. Then scan the cavities of the left tree. A bird is not always present, but on sunny spring days, there is a decent chance that as you check these holes, the face of a screech-owl will be filling one of them.
Season Rating
Home of the famous Mundy Screech-Owl.
To reach Mundy Wildflower Garden:
From the Comstock Knoll and the Plantations Headquarters, cross Judd Falls Road and follow a trail up a grassy incline. Take a series of stairs completely down the hillside into the wildflower garden, and then explore the various trails between the hillside and Fall Creek.
