NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southwest - Rideau River West Side

         Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 416 (The Veteran's Memorial Highway) take exit 49 (Roger Stevens Drive) and turn northeast on it. Follow Roger Stevens 4.0 km northeast to Rideau Valley Drive, then turn left or north onto it. Go 1.2 km to Upton Road and turn right or northeast into it. Go 0.2 km northeast to Clingin Lane and turn left or north onto it. Proceed 0.5 km to the end of Clingin Lane at its junction with Aston. Park in the widening here to visit the Hickman Conservation Area.

         Rideau River West Side Route Directions: From the parking area at Watson's Mill, return the 100 metres or so on Dickinson Street to Bridge Street and turn left or southwest onto it. Drive 0.2 km to Main Street and turn left or southeast onto it. Proceed 7.0 km to Upton Road and turn left or northeast into it. Go 0.2 km northeast to Clingin Lane and turn left or north onto it. Proceed 0.5 km to the end of Clingin Lane at its junction with Aston. Park in the widening here to visit the Hickman Conservation Area.

         Site Description and Birding Information: The Hickman Conservation Area is a sliver of land (0.7 by 0.2 km) bordered by Rideau Valley Drive on the southwest, Upton Road on the south, Clingin Lane to the east, the Rideau River to the northeast, and a backwater off the Rideau on the northwest. This conservation area has good birding potential. There is a short trail to the Rideau River, and along the shore to the northwest. It has a short loop to provide access to woodland and a small corner of the cattail marsh. Should be productive in migrations.

         Another trail begins about 50 metres southwest of the parking area along Aston Street. It goes through the woodland between the homes in the triangle formed by Aston, Upton and Clingin. In the final 100 metres before it comes out on Upton, it follows a good-sized drainage ditch. Worth a check in migration.

        Rideau River West Side Route Directions: From the parking area at the north end of Clingin Lane, return the 0.5 km on Clingin Lane to Upton Road and turn right or southwest on it. Drive 0.2 km southwest on Upton to reach Rideau Valley Drive. Turn left or south onto it. Proceed 1.5 km to Regional Road 6 and turn right or southwest onto it. Go 0.8 km southwest to Rideau Valley Drive South and turn left or SSE onto it. Follow Rideau Valley Drive South south 0.8 km through the village of Kars to the the mouth of Steven Creek, the beginning of the next location along this route, the Steven and Cranberry Creek Mouths.