Wickham Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Wickham Marsh Wildlife Management Area encompasses 862 acres along County Route 17 (The Back Road) in the Town of Chesterfield, Essex

County. Land purchases for this management area commenced in 1950 with the acquisition of 176 acres from the Watson Estate and were completed in 1970 with the additions of 136 acres from Loyola Villa and 370 acres from the Mattig Corporation.

Map of Wickham Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Management

Prior to state ownership, the area was used primarily for agriculture and timber harvesting. Today, Wickham Marsh is managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for a variety of recreational and scientific purposes, including: natural resources education, wildlife observation and photography, fishing, trapping, hunting, and canoeing. One of the primary objectives is to provide nesting and feeding habitat to a variety of waterfowl.

Management techniques such as the construction of a water level control structure at the outlet of the marsh, ditching and shoreline clearing have increased the amount of waterfowl nesting and feeding habit that was originally present at the site. In addition, wood duck nest boxes have been erected throughout the area. These artificial nest locations mimic the natural, but scarce, tree cavities utilized by this species of duck. As a result of these efforts, wood ducks, black ducks, mallards, mergansers and teal are readily observed on the management area.

Habitat

Wickham Marsh Wildlife Management Area consists of 17 different ecological communities ranging from emergent marsh to northern hardwoods. This variety in habitat allows the area to support diverse fish and wildlife populations.

The DEC employs various management techniques within some of these different habitats to improve breeding and feeding conditions for numerous wildlife species.

One of the ecological communities present at the management area are pitch pine-oak forests. The DEC thins the oak from these areas to keep the forest canopy open. As a result of this timber management, there is an increase in the production of acorns - a food utilized by a variety of wildlife species ranging from birds, such as turkeys, wood ducks and ruffed grouse to mammals, such as squirrels, deer and bear.

Recreational Opportunities

A series of foot trails have been constructed so visitors can access the management area. These footpaths are used for recreation, such as hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, and education.

The trails help direct visitors to various points of interest located throughout the site, including scenic vistas and unique ecological communities, offering individuals an opportunity to learn more about nature and examine the relationship between habitat and wildlife.

Thus, Wickham Marsh offers a chance for visitors with widely diverse interests, from sportsmen to wildlife researcher, to pursue their favorite outdoor activity.

Hunting, fishing and trapping are integral parts of the conservation and management of New York's natural resources and the various wildlife management areas across the state are no exception. Waterfowl, ruffed grouse, squirrels and deer entice hunters to Wickham Marsh in October and November. Beaver and muskrat attract the interest of trappers.

Rules For Use

Wickham Marsh Wildlife Management Area is open to the public throughout the year. Hunting, fishing and trapping are allowed in season on the entire area in accordance with the Environmental Conservation Law and regulations.

Boundaries and parking areas are clearly marked and any special regulations are conspicuously posted at all access points.

The following actions are prohibited: swimming, over night camping, fires, and the use of all motorized vehicles or motorized water conveyances.

For more information concerning Wickham Marsh Wildlife Management Area please contact the Region 5 Bureau of Wildlife at (518) 897-1291.

Please Observe Good Outdoor Manners:
If You Carry It In, Carry It Out