NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southwest - Rideau River West Side


BILLINGS BRIDGE

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

         Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 118 (follow the signs for Lees Avenue). Avoid doing this during rushhour! If you have come from the east, bear right and loop around 1.2 km, over the 417, and onto Lees Avenue headed west. Here you will encounter the eastbound traffic to Lees from the 417, which on exiting, simply bore right and reached this point on Lees in 0.2 km. They turn right or west here and join the westbound exitees. Now everyone goes west on Lees for 0.4 km to Main Street (which really isn't) and turns left or SSE onto it. Proceed 1.1 km to Riverdale Avenue. Turn right or SSW onto it and travel 1.5 km to Bank Street. Park as near to the corner as possible and walk to the Billings Bridge, just south of the junction on Bank Street.
         Rideau River West Side Route Directions: From the Strathcona Park parking lot, turn left or southeast onto Range Road and go 0.4 km to its end at Mann Avenue. At the corner, turn right or southwest onto Mann and follow it 0.7 km to King Edward Avenue. Turn left or southeast here to reach Lees Avenue. Loop around to the right over the 417 and then follow Lees Avenue headed west until you reach Main Street (which really isn't), a total of 1.6 km. Turns left or SSE onto it and proceed 1.1 km to Riverdale Avenue. Turn right or SSW onto it and travel 1.5 km to Bank Street. Park as near to the corner as possible and walk to Billings Bridge, just south of the junction on Bank Street.
Map of the Billings Bridge area
Map of the Billings Bridge area
         Site Description and Birding Information: Windsor Park is on the northeast side and a narrow strip of park extends under the bridge, giving opportunity for good views of the Rideau River and the two small islets or aits off Warrington Drive on the southwest side of the bridge. A large flock of puddle ducks gathers here in winter, taking advantage of the open water and generousity of folks who feed them. Mostly Mallard, but sometimes less common waterfowl. During the warmer months, the city puts its clipped swans on this section of river. There were 4 Caspian Tern between here and Brewer Park on July 7, 2004.
         Just across the bridge, to the southwest, is Billings Bridge Park on the Rideau River East Side route. The winter ducks are often shared with this site. A Great Egret was seen on the islets in the Rideau River on Apr. 22 - 28, 2006.
Part of the Billings Bridge Duck Flock
Part of the Billings Bridge Duck Flock
        Rideau River West Side Route Directions: From the north side of Billings Bridge, where you are parked, turn NNW onto Bank Street and drive 0.6 km to Sunnyside Avenue. Turn left or WSW onto Sunnyside and go 0.9 km to Sloan Avenue. Turn left or SSE onto Sloan and proceed 0.1 km to Hopewell Avenue. Turn left or northeast on it and go 0.1 km to Brewer Way. Turn right or SSE onto Brewer Way and go as far south as you are able in the parking area. This is the next site on this route, Brewer Park.
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Copyright © 2000 - 2009     Larry E. Neily
Last update:  October 29, 2009