4 Wednesdays: September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2019
Each summer/autumn, tens of thousands of shorebirds & waterfowl migrate through our area from their breeding grounds in the Arctic. Hundreds stop off to rest and feed at the Almonte Lagoons.
The Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists (MVFN) maintain the Potvin Observation Tower and the Mike McPhail Bird Viewing Shelter, overlooking the lagoon, with trails for access. For many years, birders from all over Ontario have made this prime shorebird location an important viewing spot. The looped trail to the tower and shelter may also feature many fall warbler, sparrows, grassland birds and other species.
On four consecutive Wednesdays in September, MVFN invites you to walk in between 3 and 5 PM and view the multitude of waterfowl and other birds from the observation tower and the new MVFN Mike McPhail Bird Viewing Shelter, opened in 2018. Expert birders with spotting scopes will be in attendance to talk about the birds and to provide the opportunity to learn the identity of the different species present.
These MVFN birding open houses will take place on September 4, September 11, September 18, and September 25, 2019.
Visitors to the tower and shelter are encouraged to bring binoculars (and a spotting scope if you have one). Birders Michel Gauthier and/or Ken Allison will be present with a spotting scope, along with other birders to assist.
Directions to the trail and tower: from Almonte, take Wolf Grove Road (County Rd. 16) towards Middleville, 2 km. Turn north (right) onto Ramsay Concession 8 at the Auld Kirk church and cemetery, and travel approximately 100 m to the trailhead. The trail entrance is on Ramsay Concession 8 across the road from, and just past, the Auld Kirk cemetery. A small yellow sign marks the entrance.
Note that the trail, tower and shelter are always open to the public. Please respect the “rules of etiquette” posted at the trail entrance.