Open House MVFN Birding Observation Tower Almonte Lagoons

Each summer/autumn, tens of thousands of shorebirds migrate through our area from their breeding grounds in the high Arctic.  Hundreds stop off to rest and feed at the Almonte Lagoons (behind the waste water treatment plant on Wolf Grove Road near Almonte).

The Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists (MVFN) maintain an observation tower, the Al Potvin Observation Tower, overlooking the lagoon, and a trail into the tower. For fifteen years, birders from all over the Province and beyond have made this prime shorebird location an important viewing spots. The 200 m trail in to the tower also may feature many fall warbler, sparrow and other species.

On four consecutive Wednesdays in August and September, the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists invite you to walk in and view the multitude of shore birds between 3 and 5 PM. An expert birder with a spotting scope will be at the tower to talk about the birds and to provide the opportunity to learn the identity of the different birds present.

On August 23 between 3 and 5 pm the first birding open house at the Almonte Lagoons Al Potvin Observation Tower will take place. Visitors to the tower are encouraged to bring binoculars (and a spotting scope if you have one). Birder Ken Allison will be present with a spotting scope.

Open houses, all between 3 and 5 pm will also take place on August 30, September 6, September 13.

Directions to the trail and tower: from Almonte, take Wolf Grove Road (County Rd. 16) towards Middleville, 2 km. Turn north onto Ramsay Conc. 8 at the Auld Kirk church and cemetery, and travel approximately 100 m to the trailhead. The trail entrance is on Ramsay Conc.  8 across the road from, and just past, the cemetery. A small yellow sign marks the entrance.

At the lagoons a platform provides views across the berm, and a place to set up a tripod or spotting scope. Photo Pauline Donaldson
At the lagoons a platform provides views across the berm, and a place to set up a tripod or spotting scope. Photo Pauline Donaldson
On Ramsay Concession 8, across the road from and just past Auld Kirk cemetery, a yellow sign marks the entrance to a short, easy nature trail out to the lagoons and the Potvin Observation Tower. Photos by Pauline Donaldson
On Ramsay Concession 8, across the road from and just past Auld Kirk cemetery, a yellow sign marks the entrance to a short, easy nature trail out to the lagoons and the Potvin Observation Tower. Photos by Pauline Donaldson

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