There is a wildlife viewing tower which provides the public with a bird's eye view of the abundant wildlife at the WMA and encourages residents to explore the outdoors. The tower was built as part of the Governor's Adventure NY Initiative to connect more New Yorkers with nature.
New York Wildlife Viewing Guide: Where to Watch Wildlife (Watchable Wildlife Series) books pdf file
Download: https://urllio.com/2vAQTP
General information on watchable wildlife includes tips for viewing wildlife and links to other watchable wildlife locations. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Utica Marsh WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
In the late 1970s, the City of Utica awarded DEC 50 acres of river flood plain with the condition that the state begin buying additional land here and managing this wetland area. Now the WMA contains 213 acres, an observation tower, a wildlife viewing site, and several hiking trails.
NOTE: DEC closes the parcel east of Fitzpatrick Lane each year from December 1 to April 15 to protect wintering raptors. View a map of the closed area of the WMA (PDF) for details. The trail and viewing platform on the parcel remain open to visitors, but the remainder of the parcel is closed to visitation. You can help by following these tips while watching and photographing wildlife.
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Washington County Grasslands WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
Waterbodies and wetlands add to the diversity of Mongaup's landscape and wildlife. Rare floodplain forest, perched bog, and pitch-pine and oak-hickory woodland habitats are also found at Mongaup, attracting wetland birds and species that prefer sedge meadows. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
There are two accessible eagle viewing blinds, both with accessible parking. The Dr. Ted Kerpez Memorial Eagle Viewing Blind was built to be accessible to all ages and abilities. It provides an ideal location for the public to view wintering eagles in a shelter that minimizes any disturbance to wildlife. The eagle viewing blind is located on Route 43 facing the Mongaup Falls Reservoir. There is a wooded access path to the Plank Road viewing blind.
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Mongaup Valley WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
The primary purposes of Bashakill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This 3,107-acre WMA contains the largest freshwater wetland in southeastern New York, and is a state designated Bird Conservation Area. Its 1,920-acre wetland is a birdwatcher's dream, drawing birders during the spring warbler migration and spring and fall waterfowl migrations due to the influx of interesting birds. Both bald eagles and osprey are commonly seen from the many easy access points. The forested uplands that surround the wetland provide a peaceful setting where one can enjoy a quiet walk in the woods. There is a substantial chestnut oak forest as well as ponds, fields, marshes, and swamps.
The Bashakill Wetland is home to over 200 species of birds and is a state designated Bird Conservation Area. The area supports characteristic breeding wetland-dependent species, abundant waterfowl, and several species at risk. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Bashakill WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
Deer, turkeys, black bears, squirrels, and a host of songbirds frequent the area. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Kabob WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
The primary purposes of Saratoga Sand Plains Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is a matrix of 1,000 acres of state lands on several separate parcels. The majority of the acreage is in two contiguous parcels-Camp Saratoga (6.0 miles of trail) and the Old Gick Farm (1.9 miles of trail)-that lie east of the Northway, west of Route 50, and south of Ballard Road. There is a wildlife viewing platform on the Old Gick Trail 0.5 miles from the trailhead. There are two additional parcels located off nearby Colebrook Road. Additionally, the Saratoga Sand Plains WMA Archery Range is located on Route 50, just north of Wilton Mall.
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Saratoga Sand Plains WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
Nest boxes for bluebirds have been erected along the edges of open areas. Moose tracks were observed in 1996. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Lewis Preserve WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment. 2ff7e9595c