NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southwest

This loop explores the Mississippi River Valley and lands lying adjacent it to the east. It begins in Carleton Place, winds its way north toward Arnprior, then turns southward to the east of the river and winds as far south as the Franktown Road, then heads west again to the Mississippi. Excellent marshes are found at the Prospect Marsh, the Goodwood Marsh, Cody Creek at Old Almonte Road, and the Mississippi Lake National Wildlife Area sites. There are some interesting agricultural sites at Antrim, Old Almonte Road, and Cody Creek at Peter Robinson Road. A beautiful site with several forested trails can be found at the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area site. An important alvar site can be found at The Burnt Lands - SE Block, The Burnt Lands - NW Block, The Burnt Lands via Ramsey Conc. 11B and The Burnt Lands via Ramsey Conc. 12 North. Two sites touch on the Pakenham Mountains, a range of hills just coming into the circle from the northwest, Glen Creek at Pakenham Concession 9 and Ski Hill Road - Mount Pakenham. Rounding out the exceptional variety on the loop are the Almonte Sewage Lagoons and the Carp Road Landfill sites.

This area has it's own naturalists' club, complete with website at Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists (MVFN).