For Release: Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Catharine Creek in Schuyler County Becomes Newest Bird Conservation Area
890 Acres at the South End of Seneca Lake is Designated to Protect Birds, Promote Habitat
The Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Catherine Creek Wildlife Management Area is the newest addition to New York State's Bird Conservation Area (BCA) program, Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. The designation includes 890 acres of marshlands at the southern end of Seneca Lake and will help protect the habitat and diverse population of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other bird species that use this area.
"The diversity of wildlife and significance of local habitats at Catharine Creek is well-documented," Commissioner Grannis said. "The designation as a Bird Conservation Area will help direct DEC's management efforts, increase public awareness of the rare and unique wildlife in the region, and foster the continued protection of many at-risk species."
The Catharine Creek BCA is comprised of DEC's Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area between Watkins Glen and Montour Falls in Schuyler County, and contains an unusual natural area of cattail marshes. Sedimentation and manipulation of the lake level has led to the formation of a marsh complex that supports a diverse number of bird species, as well as turtles, muskrats, ducks, beaver, deer and other wildlife.
Today marks the 52nd BCA designation in New York State. Catharine Creek follows the designation of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve BCA announced last month. The Wildlife Management Area is named for Catharine Montour, a local, historical Seneca Indian queen. Queen Catharine Marsh is also designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Audubon New York.
"Audubon New York commends Commissioner Grannis for furthering the DEC's strong commitment to bird conservation by designating Catherine Creek as the state's 52nd BCA," said Albert E. Caccese, Executive Director of Audubon New York. "Catherine Creek provides important habitat for many at risk bird species and many species of migrating waterfowl and this BCA designation will advance conservation efforts to protect this vital marsh complex."
DEC chose Catharine Creek to become a BCA because of its importance in species concentration and bird research, and the number of diverse species - including those deemed at-risk - that live in or migrate to the area. They include American Black Duck, Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Osprey, Bald Eagle, American Woodcock, Willow Flycatcher, Sedge Wren, Wood Thrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler and Rusty Blackbird. Other wetland dependent species which breed here include Virginia Rail, Sora, Marsh Wren and Swamp Sparrow.
The BCA also contains two critical habitat types: a floodplain forest and silver maple-ash swamp. Three rare plants including marsh horsetail, Leiberg's panic grass and spreading globeflower, and one watch list species - swamp agrimony - have been documented.
New York State's Bird Conservation Area program was enacted in 1997. The BCA program is designed to safeguard and enhance bird populations and their habitats on selected state-owned lands and waters. BCA proposals are reviewed by an advisory committee of state and private wildlife experts based upon the site's ability to support an exceptional abundance or diversity of birds. The focus of the BCA program is to provide a model stewardship program and to develop interpretive and educational programs for bird conservation. The program is modeled after the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Areas Program. The IBA program works with the state's BCA program by setting science-based priorities for habitat conservation and promoting positive action to safeguard vital bird habitats on public and private lands. More information about the BCA program can be found on the DEC website.
