NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southeast - Mer Bleue / French Hill Loop


RAMSEYVILLE MARSH

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

        Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 112 (Innes Road). If travelling west, the 0.2 km offramp dumps you right or northeast onto Innes. If driving east, a 0.3 km offramp brings you to Innes Road, where you will turn left or northeast onto it and in 0.5 km join the westbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Innes Road northeast 1.8 km from here to Anderson Road. Turn right or southeast into Anderson Road and go 5.9 km to the Ramseyville Marsh. Park along the roadside near the culvert in the middle of the marsh.
        Mer Bleue - French Hill Loop Route Directions: From the parking area at the Mer Bleue Boardwalk & Trail at the end of Ridge Road, proceed 2.6 km back to Anderson Road. Turn left or SSE onto Anderson and drive 1.0 km to the Ramseyville Marsh. Park along the roadside near the culvert in the middle of the marsh. There is no formal parking.
Map of Ramseyville Marsh area
Map of Ramseyville Marsh area
        Site Description and Birding Information: This marsh was one of the best in the region for marsh birds until recently. It now suffers from age, having filled in over the years. Open water is confined to narrow channels, one such viewable from the road at the culvert. Virginia Rail and Sora may still be heard here. Black Tern and Black-crowned Night Heron have been seen here.
         The roadside habitat adjacent the marsh has harboured Willow Flycatcher in summer and Northern Shrike in winter. Rare birds seen in this locale include LeConte's Sparrow (Sep. 5, 1971), Gyrfalcon (Mar. 24, 1973), Cerulean Warbler (May 26, 1974) and Swainson's Hawk ? (Apr. 10, 1984).
View of Ramseyville Marsh
View of Ramseyville Marsh
        Mer Bleue - French Hill Loop Route Directions: From the Ramseyville Marsh on Anderson Road, proceed SSE 1.3 km to Russell Road (Regional 26). Turn left or ESE onto Russell and drive 5.6 km to the turnoff on the right for the small parking area for the next site on this loop, the Carlsbad Springs Historic Site. This is opposite the "manglified" La Mer Bleu Hotel.
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Copyright © 2000 - 2009     Larry E. Neily
Last update:  October 27, 2009