NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southwest - Dunrobin & Carp Ridges


BILL McNEIL TRAIL

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

        Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 140 (Terry Fox Drive). If travelling west, the 0.4 km offramp dumps you right or north onto Terry Fox. If driving east, a 0.5 km offramp brings you to Terry Fox Drive, where you will turn left or north onto it and in 0.5 km join the westbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Terry Fox Drive north 0.5 km from here to Campeau Drive. Turn right or northeast on Campeau and go 1.8 km to Knudson Drive. Park near here.
        Dunrobin & Carp Ridges Route Directions: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 140 (Terry Fox Drive). If travelling west, the 0.4 km offramp dumps you right or north onto Terry Fox. If driving east, a 0.5 km offramp brings you to Terry Fox Drive, where you will turn left or north onto it and in 0.5 km join the westbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Terry Fox Drive north 0.5 km from here to Campeau Drive. Turn right or northeast on Campeau and go 1.8 km to Knudson Drive. Park near here.
         Site Description and Birding Information: This sliver of green space is being destroyed by urban sprawl. The conditions are constantly changing; a new shpping centre to the southwest, new housing to the northeast, and a new pond in the southern area near the Queensway. If you hiked this trail years ago, you will find it much smaller now. The trail system is on the south side of Campeau and extends east only to the Knudson Drive now. Parking spots are difficult to find. Try opposite the south end of Knudson Drive. Another possibility for parking would be the far west end of the Centrum Shopping Centre parking lot, along Castlefrank Road. Cross the road and watch for the trail.
         This is a 2.7 km loop with various crossing paths passes through a good variety of habitats including old and young hardwoods, mixed woodland, white pine, low areas of cedar and hardwoods and pastureland. The new pond may some day actually attract a few birds not otherwise seen here. The crossing paths make it possible to chose the length of your route or take slightly different routes each time. Birdlife is typical of area woodland. The Marathon Trail System, the next stop, has more diversity. The McNeil Trail is worth a check, especially during spring migration.
         A Northern Hawk Owl was seen just east of the pedestrian walkway across the Queensway at the eastern end of the site on December 8, 2002.
        Dunrobin & Carp Ridges Route Directions: From Campeau and Knudson Drives, return 1.4 km west to Castlefrank Road and turn right or north onto it. Wind 1.8 km along Castlefrank Road to Goulbourn Forced Road and Richardson Side Road (which Castlefrank becomes here). Turn right or north and proceed 1.0 km to a parking lot on the right or east side of the road. Park here to hike the loop's next site, the Marathon Trail System.
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Map of Bill McNeil Trail area
Map of Bill McNeil Trail area


Northern Hawk Owl
Northern Hawk Owl

Copyright © 2000 - 2009     Larry E. Neily
Last update:  October 27, 2009