Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 416 take exit 57 (Bankfield Road) west. Head southwest on Bankfield Road and scan the fields on both sides when you reach them.
Stony Swamp Loop Route Directions: From the bridge at Twin Elm, proceed ENE 0.4 km to the T-junction at Twin Elm Road and turn right or SSE onto it. Follow Twin Elm Road 4.2 km SSE to Regional Road 8 or Brophy Road (this section, from Eagleson Road to Moodie Drive, was formerly also called Bankfield Road). This is the next site on this loop tour, Brophy / Bankfield Road. The low fields lining the 6.7 km of Brophy Road and Bankfield Road (its extension east of Moodie Drive), should be scanned. This area extends from Eagleson Road, 2.2 km to the southwest to Highway 416, 4.5 km to the northeast, of Twin Elm Road.
Site Description and Birding Information: This section of road is lined by low fields which are prone to flooding in spring and wet areas in fall. This, and its proximity to the Nepean Dump, allows the gulls attracted to the ready food supply at the dump to rest nearby. The fields along the 6.7 km stretch of Bankfield Road, between Eagleson Road and Highway 416, provide good opportunities for finding the less common Lesser Black-backed Gull in the large gull flocks roosting there in October and November. Good shorebirding can also be had here. Check especially the verges of any wet areas. Especially good for Black-bellied Plover and American Golden-Plover, Dunlin, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, but less common species such as Baird's Sandpiper have been seen here. A Short-eared Owl was found hunting over a scrubby field along Brophy, between Twin Elm & 3rd Line on Dec. 12, 2004.
As you head toward this site along Twin Elm Road, watch the fields at the Rugby Club, in season, for upland shorebirds.
Recent rarities include a likely Vega (Siberian) Gull (Nov. 2, 2003); Greater White-fronted Goose (Oct. 19 - 21, 2005; 1-3 - Oct. 26 to at least Nov. 19, 2006), Great Gray Owl (Dec. 21, 2004 - Twin Elm Road, 1.6 km NNW of Brophy Road; Mar. 6, 2006 - Bankfield Road, east of Twin Elm Road)
Stony Swamp Loop Route Directions: From wherever you may be on Brophy or Bankfield Road, proceed to the T-junction of Brophy/Bankfield and Moodie Drive (2.3 km southwest of Highway 416 and 4.0 km northeast of Eagleson Road). Go NNW on Moodie; at 2.1 km you will cross Barnsdale Road and see the quarries on your right or to the east; and at 3.3 km you can pull off near the gate into the next site on this loop tour, the Moodie Drive Quarry Ponds, on your right. Park along the side of the road without blocking the access.