NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southwest - Stony Swamp Loop


BEAVER & CHIPMUNK TRAILS

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

        Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 416 take exit 72 (West Hunt Club Road). If southbound, a 0.4 km offramp dumps onto West Hunt Club Road, where you will turn right or southwest. If northbound, the 0.2 km offramp brings you to Cedarview Road, where you will turn right or SSE onto it and in 0.2 km come to West Hunt Club Road. Turn right or southwest onto it and in 0.4 km join the southbound traffic. Both groups will now follow West Hunt Club southwest for an additional 2.1 km to reach Moodie Drive. Turn left or SSE onto it and drive 0.7 km to reach parking area P8 on the right for the Beaver and Chipmunk Trails.
        Stony Swamp Loop Route Directions: From the West Hunt Club Road Trails parking area, turn left or southwest onto West Hunt Club Road. Proceed 0.5 km to Moodie Drive and turn left or SSE onto it. Drive 0.7 km to reach parking area P8 on the right for the Beaver and Chipmunk Trails.
Google Satellite Map of Beaver and Chipmunk Trails Area
Google Satellite Map of Beaver and Chipmunk Trails Area

        Site Description and Birding Information: From parking area P8 check the cleared and regrowth areas along the power lines. (Also be aware that you could cross Moodie Drive here and, following a trail along the power lines, join up to the West Hunt Club Road Trails or Jack Pine Trails.) To do the Beaver and Chipmunk Trails take the trail leading south from parking area P8. In a few hundred meters it comes to the Wild Bird Care Centre (accessible by road from Moodie Drive just south of P8) and a picnic area in the maturing deciduous forest. The Centre is open to the public from 12 to 3 PM daily, though you can bring sick or injured birds to them between 8 AM and 4 PM. There is a feeding station at the centre.
The Wild Bird Care Centre and Picnic Area
The Wild Bird Care Centre and Picnic Area
        Site Description and Birding Information: The trail system beyond the Centre consists of a series of loops leading down to the south and west through the woodland to the lower swampy areas and some beaver ponds. A boardwalk and observation point allow close views of one beaver lodge. These are beautiful trails with good variety in habitat. An extension from the southeastern corner leads to yet another swampy pond and connections to the Richmond Road Trails at P6 and the Rideau Trail.
Beaver Lodge on Beaver Trail
Beaver Lodge on Beaver Trail
        Stony Swamp Loop Route Directions: From the Beaver and Chipmunk Trails parking area, turn right or SSE onto Moodie Drive and proceed 0.8 km to a parking area on the left for the next location on this loop, the Jack Pine Trail.
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Copyright © 2000 - 2009     Larry E. Neily
Last update:  October 25, 2009