The Happy Camper: Southeastern Ontario’s Hidden Gems for Spring Birding
The migratory birds are beginning to return. This is an exciting time of the year for me. I’m a big birdwatcher. However, it seems I’m not the only birder in my neighbourhood. Southeastern Ontario is a hotspot for “twitchers,” and well-known places like Presqu’ile Provincial Park and Kingston’s Lemoine’s Conservation Area can be overrun at times.
If you’re wanting to try a different hiking trail, with lots of diverse bird species but less birders, here are few hidden gems I’ve gotten to know since moving to the area.
Menzel Centennial Provincial Park
I discovered this 627 hectare (1549 acre) nature reserve (non-operating provincial park) while out rural house hunting near the Salmon River. The house I was checking out had been flooded by the overflowing river, so I went hiking/birding instead.
The park is located in the headwaters of Otter Creek (part of the Salmon River and Richmond Township)—about 17 kilometres northwest of Napanee—and it protects one of the largest collections of (rare) treed fen in southeastern Ontario. Basically, it’s a massive wetland in the middle of farm country.
The trail is maintained through a partnership between Ontario Parks and The Nature Conservancy of Canada. Additional funding and support were provided by Environment Canada, through the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture program and the Ontario Heritage Foundation. The walk is titled Oivi’s Nature Trail (after a generous donation from Oivi Menzel) and is about 4.8 kilometres. It’s a linear path that takes you to Mud Lake and back, taking about two hours. The small lake is nice but the section of boardwalk that takes you through the wetland is the best part—and it’s alive with birds, from the secretive green heron to the uncommon Northern Parula Warbler.
Marmora Mine
An open pit mine was blasted open back in 1953 to get to high-grade ore lying under 120 feet (36.5 metres) of limestone. The hole in the ground measures 700 feet (213 metres) by 1,200 feet (365.7 metres) and reached 600 feet (182.8 metres) deep. It was an active place back in the day, producing 520,000 tons of ore pellets annually. The mine closed down in 1979 and was slowly filled with aqua-coloured ground water, creating a massive lake just outside the small hamlet of Marmora. The entire area is fenced off with only a rustic viewing platform circled in by massive truck tires. It’s a bit of an eye-sore, actually. But to the left of the lookout, there is a pile of rock you can scramble up and view the entire 75-acre lake—and the incredible number of waterfowl that use it.
Sheffield Conservation Area
This protected area is located just off County Road 41, south of the town of Kaladar—literally in the middle of nowhere. It consists of two main trails: The Stone Mills Trail (5.3-kilometre loop) and the Melon, Haley, Mud and Devil Lake Trail (5-kilometre loop). You can combine both for a solid day hike. The path can be rugged at times, clambering up granite outcrops and through lush wetlands. Deciduous forest dominates and the diverse habitat attracts countless bird species. Nearby is the Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area. I generally park there for the day and hook up with the trail system. Parking at the Conservation Area is limited.
Little Bluff Conservation Area
This small 28-hectare (69 acre) Conservation Area is tucked away off County Road 13, near Picton, Ontario, and set on top of a 20-metre high limestone bluff, overlooking Lake Ontario’s Prince Edward Bay. There’s a pathway leading down to a cobblestone beach and a variety of short trails, when combined, adding up to an easy 1.5-kilometre loop. The inland shoreline acts as a protective barrier, protecting a diverse wetland from the expanse of Lake Ontario. It’s one of my best places to catch a glimpse of the very secretive American bittern and Virginia rails.
