Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area

Discover

A creek, an abandoned railway alignment and fields maintained for wildlife share a landscape west of the Hudson River. Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area, in Albany County's Town of Coeymans, rewards attention to those relationships. The attraction is not a single scenic landmark. It is the changing ground between water, woodland and open vegetation, and the choices that keep these different habitats together.

The 360-acre property includes more than 7,100 feet of frontage on Coeymans Creek. About 1,300 feet encompasses both banks. Those figures describe a substantial relationship with the water, but they do not establish a continuous riverside walking route. Think of the creek as the area's organizing feature, then consult the DEC map to understand which public approaches fit the visit you want to make.

Much of the property is fairly flat, forested wetland, interrupted by deep ravines descending toward the creek. DEC notes that the wetlands are relatively dry for much of the year. That is a description of the landscape, rather than a promise about the ground on a particular visit. Look for the contrast between broad, low terrain and the more sharply cut slopes; the area's interest lies partly in that uneven combination.

Open ground adds another layer. Mowed fields, shrubland and floodplain occur on the east side of the creek, while a maintained utility corridor creates a grassy north-south opening. These are different kinds of edges, each with a different reason for being open. Comparing them offers a useful way to observe how wildlife habitat can develop around both natural processes and earlier human uses.

The management story is especially visible in the fields. DEC identifies invasive common reed, or Phragmites, as a problem and describes work to restore former agricultural ground. Periodic mowing also maintains early successional habitat. A field need not be left alone to have conservation value. Here, continued intervention is part of the effort to retain a range of habitats instead of allowing every opening to develop in the same direction.

The property's more recent history gives that work additional context. The City of Albany acquired the land for a proposed future landfill, but its plans changed. DEC bought the property in spring 2019. An old railway alignment along the eastern edge provides a separate historical thread: the agency identifies it with the West Shore and Buffalo Railroad Company, which owned the line until the 1920s. That ownership date should not be mistaken for a construction date.

For wildlife observation, the Hudson River flyway provides a regional frame. DEC describes spring and fall migration and opportunities to observe forest and forest-edge wildlife, including songbirds. Choose a place to pause and watch how the setting changes from field to wooded ground. Specific sightings remain unpredictable; the variety of habitats can be an interesting subject even when animals stay out of view.

Plan the approach as carefully as the subject. DEC identifies access from Old Ravena Road and Stylebarrack Road, with the west-side creek approach involving a walk of roughly 1,400 feet and a descent of about 75 feet. Its guidance also flags ticks and abundant poison ivy. Use the current map and operator advice to choose an appropriate visit, keeping the creek's banks, habitat edges and historical traces in their wider landscape context.

Fun facts

1. The 360-acre WMA includes more than 7,100 feet of frontage on Coeymans Creek.
2. The City of Albany sold the property to DEC in spring 2019 after changing its landfill plans.
3. An old railway alignment on the eastern edge was owned by the West Shore and Buffalo Railroad Company until the 1920s.
4. The property lies in the Hudson River flyway and includes forest, fields and shrubland.
5. DEC maintains early successional habitat through measures including periodic mowing.

Read the official sources →

Capture

1. From a suitable public approach, make a wide composition showing how field edges meet wooded ground.
2. Use the creek and the shape of the ravines as subjects only where access and conditions allow; do not assume there is a continuous bank-side path.
3. A distant woodland edge can make a composition about habitat even without a visible animal.

Social

A creek can organize an entire landscape. Coeymans Creek WMA includes wetlands, ravines, fields and shrubland west of the Hudson River.

Coeymans Creek WMA covers 360 acres in the Town of Coeymans, Albany County. Its creek frontage is a landscape feature, not a continuous trail promise.

What keeps a field open? At Coeymans Creek WMA, periodic mowing is part of maintaining early successional wildlife habitat.

The property had a different proposed future: Albany acquired it for a landfill before plans changed. DEC purchased it in spring 2019.

An old railway alignment remains along the eastern edge. The West Shore and Buffalo Railroad Company owned the line until the 1920s.

Migration adds a regional perspective: Coeymans Creek WMA is in the Hudson River flyway. Wildlife observation is an opportunity, not a guaranteed sighting.

DEC describes both fairly flat forested wetland and deep ravines. Check the public map before choosing an approach to the creek.

For a photograph, look at relationships: a field edge against woodland, or the shape of ground near the creek. Which contrast catches your attention?

Hashtags

1. #Cre8Travel
2. #NatureEscape
3. #ExploreNY
4. #BirdingAdventures
5. #FishingLife
6. #HikingAdventures
7. #ConservationWin

Sources & visitor information

• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation — Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area