NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Northeast - Ottawa River East: Quebec


MARAIS DES LAÎCHES EAST

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

        Independent Directions to this Site: Going north on Autoroute de la Gatineau or Highway 5 take Exit # 2, the Autoroute 50 east exit. Follow the long, 1.0 km, ramp over Brewery Creek and onto Autoroute 50 headed north. Proceed 17.8 km to exit 154, taking the Boulevard de l'Aéroport exit. Follow the 0.3 km exit to it and turn right or south. Go 0.9 km south to Boulevard Maloney Est or Highway 148. Turn left or ENE onto it and drive 2.9 km toward Angers, to where Boulevard Maloney Est becomes Chemin de Montréal Ouest. Turn right or south down a dirt road between 2170 Boulevard Maloney Est and 2130 Chemin de Montréal Ouest to the Marais des Laîches East.
        Ottawa River East: Quebec Route Directions: From the single lane gravel road to Marais des Laîches West, between numbers 1974 and 1976 Boulevard Maloney Est; go east on Highway 148 another 0.9 km to where Boulevard Maloney Est becomes Chemin de Montréal Ouest and turn right or south down a dirt road between 2170 Boulevard Maloney Est and 2130 Chemin de Montréal Ouest to the Marais des Laîches East.
Map of Marais des Laîches West
Map of Marais des Laîches West
        Site Description and Birding Information: Marais des Laîches is a recent initiative of Quebec Parks and Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The dirt road leads, in about 1 km, to a parking area at the edge of the marsh. A rough trail along the dyke begins at the parking area.
View of pond at Marais des Laîches East
View of pond at Marais des Laîches East
         Between Highway 148 and the marsh there are extensive fields. Because of the slope of the terrain, excellent viewing can be had from Highway 148 or the beginning of the dirt road into the marsh. Scan the fields here, in spring, for large flocks of geese. Most are Canada Geese but Snow Goose is regular in small numbers, and Greater White-fronted Goose is a possibility.
The marsh itself is an eastward extension of the Marais des Laîches West site. It is a good option for viewing the marsh depending on the time of day. On May 11-12, 2008 a male Ruff in breeding plumage was seen here. A Mute Swan was seen here Apr. 12-14, 2009. A Eurasian Wigeon was here Apr. 17 to May 7, 2009.
        During the 2004 - 05 "invasion", 2 Great Gray Owls were found here on Feb. 2, 2005. At least one stayed until Feb. 5, 2005.
View of Fields Approaching Marais des Laîches East
View of Fields Approaching Marais des Laîches East
        Ottawa River East: Quebec Route Directions: From the single lane gravel road between 2170 Boulevard Maloney Est and 2130 Chemin de Montréal Ouest, go ENE on Highway 148 for 1.5 km to a single-lane dirt road on the right or south side of the highway, signed for the next site on this route, the Marais aux Grenouillettes.
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Copyright © 2000 - 2009     Larry E. Neily
Last update:  October 28, 2009