Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in the towns of Lyme and Cape Vincent, in Jefferson County. The 2,028-acre property includes large grassland fields, wetland impoundments, shrublands, and forested wetlands.
Due to the various habitats on the WMA and its use by several endangered and threatened bird species, New York State designated the WMA as a Bird Conservation Area in 2003. You can see migrating waterfowl, songbirds, shorebirds, marsh birds, and raptors. During the late summer and early fall, great egrets can often be seen feeding and roosting on the WMA.
The area provides incredible opportunities for a variety of recreationists. Small and big game hunting, trapping, birdwatching, nature study, and wildlife photography are all popular activities. DEC constructed an accessible observation tower overlooking the larger wetland impoundment and interior fields of the WMA in 2020, and it provides a great opportunity to view the WMA and the wildlife that utilize it.
More information about Ashland Flats WMA can be found in the June/July 2021 issue of the Conservationist.
Photo of Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area by Irene Mazzocchi.
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