NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Northeast - Ottawa River East: Quebec

        Independent Directions to this Site: Going north on Autoroute de la Gatineau or Highway 5 take Exit # 2, the Autoroute 50 east exit. Follow the long, 1.0 km, ramp over Brewery Creek and onto Autoroute 50 headed north. Proceed 22.5 km to exit 159, taking the Rue des Laurentides exit. Follow the 0.3 km exit to it and turn right or south. Go 1.0 km south to Chemin de Montréal Ouest or Highway 148. Turn left or ENE onto it and drive 0.3 km to Rue du Ruisseau. Turn right or south down Rue du Ruisseau from Highway 148 or Chemin de Montréal Ouest, opposite number 1123. It is signed for Baie Carpentier and Petite Baie Clément.

        Ottawa River East: Quebec Route Directions: From the single-lane gravel road to Marais aux Grenouillettes, go ENE on Chemin de Montréal Ouest or Highway 148 for 1.5 km to Rue du Ruisseau on the right or south side of the highway opposite number 1123, signed for Baie Carpentier and Petite Baie Clément.

         Site Description and Birding Information: Baie Carpentier and Petite Baie Clément are part of the recent initiative of Quebec Parks and Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Rue du Ruisseau is paved for 0.5 km, beyond which a dirt road leads, in about 0.5 km, to two parking areas at the edge of the marshes. Baie Carpentier is to the right or west and Petite Baie Clément is to the left or east. Trails blazed by 4-wheelers edge the marsh at Petite Baie Clément.

         Baie Carpentier and Petite Baie Clément can both be good waterfowl spots in the spring. A male Eurasian Wigeon was seen on Baie Carpentier from April 30 to at least May 4, 2003; two males were seen from April 17 to at least April 28, 2004 and one bird was found on April 16, 2005.

         During the 2004 - 05 "invasion", 2 Great Gray Owls were found here on Feb. 2, 2005. Two Caspian Terns were seen at Petite Baie Clément on June 11, 2005.

        Ottawa River East: Quebec Route Directions: From the parking area for Baie Carpentier and Petite Baie Clément return north on Rue du Ruisseau to Chemin de Montréal Ouest or Highway 148. Turn right or ENE on Chemin de Montréal Ouest or Highway 148 and go 1.8 km to Rue de la Forteresse. Views of the next site on this route, Baie Clément, are possible for the next kilometre or so.