NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southwest - Ottawa River West: Ontario


NEPEAN POINT

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

        Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 118 (Nicholas Street). Avoid doing this during rushhour! Go northwest 1.8 km to Rideau Street and turn left or southwest onto it. In 0.3 km Sussex Drive will be on the right or northwest side. From the corner of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive, turn right or northwest onto Sussex Drive and proceed 0.3 km. Drive around in circles for ten or fifteen minutes to locate a parking spot, then walk over behind the big glass building. This is the National Gallery. The park is behind it, to the right of the base of the bridge. There are lookoffs to the left of the base of the bridge as well.
        Ottawa River West: Ontario Route Directions: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 118 (Nicholas Street). Avoid doing this during rushhour! Go northwest 1.8 km to Rideau Street and turn left or southwest onto it. In 0.3 km Sussex Drive will be on the right or northwest side. Here there is an aside to Nepean Point Park. This site is of limited interest so you may wish to bypass it. If so continue southwest or straight ahead on Rideau Street, which quickly becomes Wellington Street and reaches Parliament Hill 0.3 km beyond Sussex Drive. To reach Nepean Point Park from the corner of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive, turn right or northwest onto Sussex Drive and proceed 0.3 km. Drive around in circles for ten or fifteen minutes to locate a parking spot, then walk over behind the big glass house (no stones, please). This is the National Gallery. The park is behind it, to the right of the base of the bridge. There are lookoffs to the left of the base of the bridge as well.
        Site Description and Birding Information: This small park is adjacent the beautiful new National Gallery. It consists of a promontory overlooking the Ottawa River at the base of the Alexander Bridge. The river narrows to around 200 metres here and the overlook provides a view of passing migrant water birds. Since it is not near any rapids it does not attract feeding birds; and the bridge and traffic detract from the experience. Still, it is a spot where patience might be rewarded. Jaegers and Arctic Tern have to pass as the migrate along the river. Excellent views of the Parliament Buildings and the beginning locks of the Rideau Canal are had from here.
        Ottawa River West: Ontario Route Directions: Return to Rideau Street via MacKenzie Avenue, parallel and to the southwest of Sussex Drive, going 0.3 km southeast on it. Then turn right or southwest to rejoin the main route. Proceed 0.3 km southwest on Rideau Street, which immediately becomes Wellington Street, and you have arrived at the seat of government for Canada and our next site on this route, Parliament Hill.
Return to Ottawa River West: Ontario.    Return to Birding Ottawa Table of Contents.


Map to Nepean Point Park
Map to Nepean Point Park


Champlain Monument at Nepean Point Park
Champlain Monument at Nepean Point Park

Copyright © 2000 - 2009     Larry E. Neily
Last update:  October 28, 2009