woodcock preserve

The Woodcock Preserve is ~72 acres of conserved woodland and forested wetland habitat located in the Town of Clifton Park, New York.

The land that makes up the preserve was acquired by Saratoga PLAN in three different stages from 1993 to 2002. Today, there are approximately 2.4 miles of trails located throughout the property managed by the generous and enthusiastic help of volunteers.

The land that makes up the preserve is filled with abundant wildlife including deer, coyote, hawks, and owls. The preserve is also an active Woodcock management area.

American Woodcocks are short, plump, shore-like birds that dwell within young forests and shrubby fields and have long, thin bills used for probing the ground for insects. They are very distinctive both in their sound and appearance with coloring that perfectly camouflages with the forest floor in shades of browns, tans and blacks. Their sound is quite distinctive and can be described as a “peent” sound. If you happen to come across an American Woodcock at the preserve, please be respectful and keep your distance.

Preserve Rules:

This preserve is open to the public for nature study, walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Please carry out all your trash and leave only footprints. Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times; please clean up after your pet.

The following activities are NOT permitted on the preserve:

  • Cutting, digging, removing, or damaging any tree, shrub, flower, or plant;
  • Hunting, trapping, removing, harassing, touching or feeding wildlife;
  • Use of firearms, paint ball devices, or artificial light;
  • Bicycles, horses, or motorized vehicles, snowmobiles, ATVs, etc.;
  • Alcohol or illegal substances; and
  • Camping or igniting fires.

Please follow the rules so that this resource can continue to be accessible to the community.

Directions

Access to this site is off of Tanner Road, just south of the address ‘740 Tanner Road’. From I-87, take exit 10 and turn west (left if coming from the south, right if coming from the north) onto Ushers Road. Take the immediate first left onto Pierce Road, and then take a right onto Kinns Road. Taking Kinns Road all the way to the end, take a right onto Vichers Ferry Road, then a quick left onto Tanner Road. The preserve parking area will be on your right-hand side of the road.

Google Maps here!

Quick Facts

Hours:
Sunrise to sunset

Male Woodcocks put on a display to attract mates that involves flying high up in the sky and acrobatically shooting straight down to the ground again. During this flight their flapping wings create a whistling sound.