NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southwest - Mississippi River Valley Loop


THE BURNT LANDS ALVAR PNR - NW BLOCK

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

        Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 155 (March Road or Regional Road 49). Turn left or southwest onto March Road and follow it for 11.4 km to Ramsey Concession 12. Turn right or northwest onto it and go 1.5 km to the end of the maintained road and the beginning of the Northwest Block of The Burnt Lands Alvar PNR.
        Mississippi River Valley Route Directions: From The Burnt Lands Alvar PNR - SE Block return to March Road or Regional 49 and turn right or southwest onto it. Go 1.8 km to Ramsey Concession 12 and turn right or northwest on it. Proceed 1.5 km to end of the maintained road and the beginning of the Northwest Block of The Burnt Lands Alvar PNR.
Map of The Burnt Lands area
Map of The Burnt Lands area
         Site Description and Birding Information: This site and the previous one, The Burnt Lands Alvar PNR - SE Block, are two "protected" parts of the Burnt Lands Alvar or limestone plain, which is one of the most significant in the province. This northwestern block of the Burnt Lands Alvar Provincial Nature Reserve consists of 228 hectares of varied habitat, ranging from open alvar meadow through scrub to various stages and combinations of coniferous and deciduous growth. Many unusual plants grow in this unique area.
Extension of Ramsey Concession 12 into The Burnt Lands
Extension of Ramsey Concession 12 into The Burnt Lands
Open Alvar along Track
Open Alvar along Track

         Walking the road into the block is the best way to see it. The land to the west of the road is private and posted as having hazardous materials on it. The crown land and Provincial Nature Reserve are on the east side. Several roads head northeast through this area and provide excellent penetration of this wonderful area. You may have to share the road with snowmobilers in winter and 4-wheelers in summer. During breeding season, when the silence returns, it is most often broken by the White-throated Sparrows, which seem to be everywhere here.
         If you continue along the Ramsey Concession 12 track beyond the NW block, you will eventually come out to The Burnt Lands via Ramsey Concession 12 North site.
Conifers along the Alvar
Conifers along the Alvar
Open Alvar along Track
Open Alvar along Track

        Mississippi River Valley Route Directions: From The Burnt Lands Alvar PNR - NW Block return the 1.5 km southeast on Ramsey Concession 12 to Regional 49 or March Road. Turn right or southwest and proceed 4.9 km through Almonte to the gates on the right or northwest for the next site on this route, the Almonte Sewage Lagoons.
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Copyright © 2000 - 2009     Larry E. Neily
Last update:  October 28, 2009