NeilyWorld  Birding Ottawa - Southwest - Ottawa River West: Ontario


SHIRLEY'S BAY COTTAGE AREA

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

        Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 134 (Moodie Drive). If travelling west, the 0.4 km offramp dumps you right or north onto Moodie. If driving east, a 0.3 km offramp brings you to Moodie 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 Moodie Drive north 1.3 km from here to Carling Avenue. Turn left or northwest on Carling and go 2.2 km to Rifle (Range) Road. Turn right or north onto Rifle Road and travel 1.7 km to Lois Avenue (should have been Lane). Turn right or east and enter the Shirleys Bay Cottage Area. You may wish to continue along Range Road another 0.3 km and leave your vehicle at the boat launch parking lot and do this site and Shirley's Bay Dyke on foot.
        Ottawa River West: Ontario Route Directions: From the boat launch parking area at the north end of Rifle (Range) Road on Shirley's Bay, return 0.3 km south on Rifle Road to Lois Avenue. Turn left or east and enter the next site, Shirleys Bay Cottage Area. You may wish to leave your vehicle at the boat launch and do this site and the Shirleys Bay Dyke on foot.
Map of Shirleys Bay Cottage area
Map of Shirleys Bay Cottage area
        Site Description and Birding Information: This area is great for landbird migrants in spring and fall, especially the overgrown field areas between Lois Avenue and the river. Among the less common birds seen here are a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (August 24, 2003). There are numerous views of the river itself. Breeding birds such as Brown Thrasher and House Wren are found here.
         There is a well maintained feeding station in this enclave that is a must to visit in winter. It is located at the top of the hill on Hilda Avenue. This feeding station has attracted numerous good birds, including an occasional Hoary Redpoll among the Common Redpolls. The winter of 2001-02 brought a Brown Thrasher (Dec. 23 onward) and a Hoary Redpoll (Feb. 3). A Great Gray Owl was found at the corner of Rifle Road and Lois Avenue on Jan. 1, 2005.
View of Shirleys Bay Cottage area
View of Shirleys Bay Cottage area
        Ottawa River West: Ontario Route Directions: Exit the Shirleys Bay Cottage Area via Lois Avenue. Turn right or north onto Rifle (Range) Road. Go 0.3 km to the boat launch parking area at the north end of Rifle Road on Shirley's Bay. This is where you will park to visit the next site Shirleys Bay Dyke.
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Copyright © 2000 - 2009     Larry E. Neily
Last update:  October 28, 2009