NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southeast - Ottawa River East: Ontario


BECKETTS CREEK NATIONAL BIRD SANCTUARY

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

        Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 113 (Ottawa-Carleton 174, formerly Highway 17). Stay in the left lanes to take this exit. Go WNW 14.2 km to the Petrie Islands turnoff, Trim Road, where the 4-lane divided highway is reduced to 2 lane, 2 way traffic and beyond which the road is still called Highway 17 (outside the Ottawa-Carleton boundary). Continue straight northwest for an additional 9.5 km to Kinsella Drive. Turn right or south onto this 0.1 km joining road and then turn left or west onto Old Montreal Road. Follow it 1.4 km to Becketts Creek Road and turn right or south onto it. Go 1.4 km to a T-jucntion and take a left where it say "Becketts Creek Road continues". Follow it west, then southwest for 0.4 km and then turn left or WNW onto Wilhaven Drive. In about 0.6 km you will begin to see the CWS signs posted on the left for Becketts Creek National Bird Sanctuary.
        Ottawa River West: Ontario Route Directions: Return to the bridge across to Petrie Islands on Trim Road and return the additional 0.7 km to the main highway, 174 to the west, 17 to the east. Turn left or northeast onto Highway 17 and proceed 9.5 km to Kinsella Drive. Turn right or south onto this 0.1 km joining road and then turn left or west onto Old Montreal Road. Follow it 1.4 km to Becketts Creek Road and turn right or south onto it. Go 1.4 km to a T-jucntion and take a left where it say "Becketts Creek Road continues". Follow it west, then southwest for 0.4 km and then turn left or WNW onto Wilhaven Drive. In about 0.6 km you will begin to see the CWS signs posted on the left for Becketts Creek National Bird Sanctuary.
Google Satellite Map of Becketts Creek National Bird Sanctuary Area
Google Satellite Map of Becketts Creek National Bird Sanctuary Area


        Site Description and Birding Information: This Canadian Wildlife Service Bird Sanctuary is known to many school children in the Ottawa-Carleton area as McSkimming Outdoor Education Centre. They are brought here by the busload to "develop an appreciation for nature". Lets hope it works! Programs are available for school groups from September to June and for summer groups in July and August. Community adult and family programs have recently included birding, cross-country skiing, canoeing, wild plants, nature photography, survival skills, astronomy, orienteering, furniture making, and snowshoeing.
        Warning: The school board is threatening to end this marvelous program. See more on this and how you can help at the Birding Ottawa Eco-News page or contact Diane Beckett at 613-231-6274 for additional information.
         The MacSkimming “outdoor classroom”, which opened in 1967, consists of 420 acres, 254 acres of which is Becketts Creek Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The larger property boasts waterfront and a small Island on the Ottawa River. The site comprises three excellent examples of ecosystems ideal for environmental-education purposes: river wetlands, forests, and open agricultural fields. There are several wood roads and trails through this beautiful site, which runs all the way down to Highway 17. Excellent for area woodland breeding birds in season. Wood Thrush, Black-throated Blue Warbler, etc.
         For more information visit the MacSkimming Outdoor Centre website. Or call (613) 833-2080 for program details.
        Ottawa River West: Ontario Route Directions: Continue along the remaining 0.8 km of Wilhaven Drive and turn left or NNW onto Canaan Road. Proceed 1.8 km down Canaan Road to Highway 17 and turn right or east onto it. Drive 6.0 km to the entrance to the next site, Rockland Sewage Lagoons. Turn left into the entrance.
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Copyright © 2000 - 2009     Larry E. Neily
Last update:  October 28, 2009