NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southwest - Marlborough Forest Loop


NW of HARNETT ROAD

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

        Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 416 take exit 49 (Roger Stevens Drive). If southbound, a 0.4 km offramp dumps onto Bankfield, where you will turn right or southwest. If northbound, the 0.4 km offramp brings you to Bankfield, where you will turn left or southwest onto it and in 0.4 km join the southbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Roger Stevens Drive southwest 8.2 km to Malakoff Road. Turn left or southeast onto Malakoff Road and go 1.7 km to Gallagher Road. Turn right or south onto Gallagher Road and proceed 4.4 km to its junction with Harnett Road. That is 2.2 km south of the junction of Gallagher and Mackey Roads. Turn right or northwest onto Harnett and park near the corner. Continue on foot into the track to the NW of Harnett Road.
        Marlborough Forest Loop Route Directions: From wherever you are on Gallagher Road, continue south to its junction with Harnett Road. That is 2.2 km south of the junction of Gallagher and Mackey Roads. Turn right or northwest onto Harnett and park near the corner. Continue on foot into the track to the NW of Harnett Road.
Map of the Area NW of Harnett Road
Map of the Area NW of Harnett Road

        Site Description and Birding Information: This old road into the Steven Creek Wetland portion of the Marlborough Forest is still passable for the first kilometre or so by 4-wheelers, but is best enjoyed by walking. Passing through wet mixed woodland for about a kilometre, you will arrive at a T-junction. To the left or southwest lies the Steven Creek Wetland. The trail, not well used in summer, descends quickly into swampy habitat. To the right or northeast, in winter, there appears to be a snowmobile trail, which has one branch to the left or northwest and another heading straight northeast, toward Mackey Road. A good variety of woodland birds breed here, including Pileated Woodpecker, Ovenbird, and Black-and-White and Nashville Warblers.
View of the Northwestern Continuation of Harnett Road View of the Trail into Steven Creek Wetland
Views of the Area NW of Harnett Road

        Marlborough Forest Loop Route Directions: From where you are parked just to the northwest of Harnett Road, return southeast to its junction with Gallagher Road. From the junction proceed straight southeast on Harnett Road 0.9 km to Mulholland Road. Turn right or southwest into the next site in this loop, SW of Mulholland Road.
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Copyright © 2000 - 2009     Larry E. Neily
Last update:  October 27, 2009