ALBANY - The Department of Environmental Conservation's Catherine Creek Wildlife Management Area is the newest addition to New York State's Bird Conservation Area program, Commissioner Pete Grannis announced Tuesday. 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 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.

Tuesday marked 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 by Audubon New York.