NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southwest - Dunrobin & Carp Ridges


KERWIN (RIVER) ROAD

Spring: **  Summer: **  Fall: **  Winter: ****

        Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 138 (Eagleson/March Roads). If travelling west, the 0.6 km offramp dumps you right or north onto March Road. If driving east, a 0.5 km offramp brings you to Eagleson Road, where you will turn left or north onto it to March Road (its northward extension) and in 0.5 km join the westbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow March Road, or Regional 49, north, then northwest, 8.1 km to to a 90 degree lefthand turn and the junction for Dunrobin Road. Take a right on Dunrobin Road and continue northwest 1.5 km to Kerwin (River) Road. Turn right or northeast onto Kerwin (River) Road.
        Dunrobin & Carp Ridges Route Directions: From the Trillium Woods & Second Line parking area, continue north on the Goulbourn Forced Road for 2.1 km to Klondike Road. Turn right or northeast on it and go 0.2 km to March Road (Regional 49). Turn left or northwest onto March Road and travel 3.0 km to a 90 degree lefthand turn and junction for Dunrobin Road. Take a right on Dunrobin Road and continue northwest 1.5 km to Kerwin (River) Road. Turn right or northeast onto Kerwin (River) Road.
Google Satellite Map of Kerwin (River) Road Area
Google Satellite Map of Kerwin (River) Road Area

        Site Description and Birding Information: The first 0.9 km of this road are of little interest, unless you see feeders. But the next 2.5 km of it, to where Kerwin (River) Road becomes 5th Line Road, is one of the best area sites for birds of the northern coniferous forest.
         This is a good stretch of road to watch for winter finches and other boreal birds. Both Red and White-winged Crossbills can be found, or at least heard flying over, here most winters. Northern Goshawk is possible in this area. Gray Jay and Boreal Chickadee have both been seen here rarely. This is a good road for owling, as well. Great Horned, Barred and Northern Saw-whet Owls and Eastern Screech-Owl and can all be expected here.
Conifers along Kerwin (River) Road
Conifers along Kerwin (River) Road
Swamp along Kerwin (River) Road
Swamp along Kerwin (River) Road
         A trail runs between Kerwin (River) Road and the similar nearby site, Riddell Road on the Ottawa River West - Ontario route. The first few hundred meters of this trail southeast of Kerwin Road have been the best area for finding both Black-backed and the less common Three-toed Woodpecker. They can both be found here most winters, but can be difficult to find even when present. Watch carefully for trees that have been freshly debarked and listen for slow, patient tapping. For hints on identifying trees with fresh woodpecker workings click here. If you miss them on the trails, there are several swamps along Kerwin Road that provide ample opportunity to scan wide areas of dead and dying trees favored by these woodpeckers. But again patience and luck are necessary.
        Dunrobin & Carp Ridges Route Directions: When Kerwin (River) Road becomes Fifth Line it is only a further 0.4 km northwest to Berry Side Road. Turn left or southwest down it to our next site, Constance Creek at Berry Side Road.
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Copyright © 2000 - 2009     Larry E. Neily
Last update:  October 27, 2009