NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southwest - Ottawa West Park Loop


CRESTVIEW GREENSPACE

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

        Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 127 (Woodroffe Avenue) south. Go SSE for 2.3 km on Woodroffe to Meadowlands Drive West. Turn left or ENE onto Meadowlands and proceed 0.7 km to Viewmount Drive, then turn right or southwest onto it. Proceed 0.7 km on Viewmount to Parkside Crescent. Turn right or SSE onto Parkside and after 0.2 km park on the right near the entry access for the Crestview Greenspace.
        Ottawa West Park Loop Route Directions: From where you are parked at the Nepean Civic Square, for exploration of Centrepointe Park, return to Centrepointe Drive and turn left or SSE onto it. Drive 0.4 km to Tallwood Drive and turn left or ENE onto it. Go 0.4 km to Woodroffe Avenue and go straight across into Meadowlands Drive West. Continue ENE on Meadowlands for 0.7 km to Viewmount Drive, then turn right or southwest onto it. Proceed 0.7 km on Viewmount to Parkside Crescent. Turn right or SSE onto Parkside and after 0.2 km park on the right near the entry access for the Crestview Greenspace.
Map of the Crestview Greenspace Area
Map of the Crestview Greenspace Area
         Site Description and Birding Information: We are fortunate here in Ottawa to have so much green space within the city. Some of it sits on death row awaiting development or reprieve. This site may be in this category. But, for now, it is an interesting natural area in the midst of subdivisions that is criss-crossed with trails. This 2 km long by 220 metre wide area was obviously once all field and is slowly reverting to scrub and woodland. The trails seem well used and maintained. A main route extends along the east-west axis with several short crossing trails spaced along it, and the occassional longer path parallel to it. A few of the cross paths actually lead to the rail tracks, which are fenced off along most of their length. There are several other access points from the street network. The Parkside Crescent access was chosen because it is centrally located.
Various Habitats within the Crestview Greenspace
Various Habitats within the Crestview Greenspace

         The area has a great deal of food for birds, especially abundant are berries and seeds. Pine Grosbeaks were seen here in the invasion winter of 2007-08. A Northern Shrike was seen here that winter as well. This area is excellent for butterflies as well.
Berry Bushes in the Crestview Greenspace
Berry Bushes in the Crestview Greenspace
Thistle Gone to Seed in the Crestview Greenspace
Thistle Gone to Seed in the Crestview Greenspace
         A Northern Mockingbird was seen repeatedly in the summer of 2006 just south of the railroad along Nestow Drive. The amount of prime habitat suggests that this bird could well be breeding in the scrubland north of the tracks. From November 2007 onward it was also noted to winter here. Grey Partridge had been seen here regularly though not in recent years. Cooper's Hawk is also seen here. A Short-eared Owl was seen here in Nov. 18, 2007 being chased by crows.
        Ottawa West Park Loop Route Directions: From where you are parked along Parkview Crescent for exploration of the Crestview Greenspace, return the 0.2 km west to Viewmount Drive and turn left or west onto it. Drive 0.7 km to Meadowlands Drive West and turn left or WSW onto it. Go 0.7 km on Meadowlands to Woodroffe Avenue and turn right or north onto it. Drive 1.1 km to Baseline Road and turn left or WSW onto it. Proceed 2.0 km to the entrance on the left to the next site in this loop, the Pinecrest Cemetery.
Return to Ottawa West Park Loop        Return to Birding Ottawa Table of Contents


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