NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southwest - Marlborough Forest Loop


RICHMOND LAGOONS

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

        Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 416 take exit 66 (Fallowfield Road). If southbound, a 0.4 km offramp dumps onto Fallowfield, where you will turn right or west. If northbound, the 0.4 km offramp brings you to Fallowfield, where you will turn left or west onto it and in 0.5 km join the southbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Fallowfield Road west 4.5 km from here, passing Moodie Drive and Richmond Road to reach Eagleson Road. Turn left or southeast onto Eagleson Road and drive 6.2 km to the entrance on the right or southwest to the Richmond Lagoons.
        Marlborough Forest Loop Route Directions: This is the first site on the loop route. From Highway 416 take exit 66 (Fallowfield Road). If southbound, a 0.4 km offramp dumps onto Fallowfield, where you will turn right or west. If northbound, the 0.4 km offramp brings you to Fallowfield, where you will turn left or west onto it and in 0.5 km join the southbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Fallowfield Road west 4.5 km from here, passing Moodie Drive and Richmond Road to reach Eagleson Road. Turn left or southeast onto Eagleson Road and drive 6.2 km to the entrance on the right or southwest to the Richmond Lagoons.
Map of Richmond Lagoons
Map of Richmond Lagoons
        Site Description and Birding Information: The three ponds at this "former" sewage treatment facility and the surrounding grounds are now, at least in part, a municipal conservation area. In their heyday, these lagoons were one of the most productive spots for viewing shorebirds during their spring and fall migrations in our area. At present, the ponds have been allowed to become overgrown with cattails, and only the central cell has significant open water. Plans to create suitable shorebird habitat here seem to be on hold, but we can hope. Plans are also afoot to reuse at least one pond for sewage storage. The situation can be monitored through the Friends of Jock River's Richmond Conservation Area page. Meanwhile, it is excellent for marsh loving species. Breeding species include Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, American Bittern, Common Moorhen, Virginia Rail, Sora and Marsh Wren. Willow Flycather can be found between the ponds and Eagleson Road.
         All the regular and uncommon shorebirds stopped here regularly before the cattails took over. Rarities that have shown up here include: Ruff (Apr. 24, 1977 & Jun. 28, 1989), Leconte's Sparrow (May 28, 1977), Laughing Gull (Sep. 25, 1977), Long-billed Dowitcher (many times), Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Sep. 22, 1985), Marbled Godwit (May 10, 1986), Ross's Goose (Oct. 4, 2007), Tundra Swan (Nov. 12-13, 2007).
         This site is also very close to the Twin Elm and Rushmore Road locations in the Stony Swamp loop.
The Central Cell of the Richmond Lagoons
The Central Cell of the Richmond Lagoons
        Marlborough Forest Loop Route Directions: From the Richmond Lagoons turn right or SSE onto Eagleson Road and drive 0.8 km to Ottawa Street. Turn right or southwest onto it and go 1.2 km to McBean Street. Turn left or southeast onto it and in 0.2 km you will reach the railway crossing. This is the access point for the next site in this loop, Richmond Fen from the North.
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Copyright © 2000 - 2009     Larry E. Neily
Last update:  October 27, 2009