york

Birding at Milne Dam Conservation Park in Markham

Being the first visit to this conservation area, the moment I stepped out of the car, I knew this would not be the last! Just by where my car was parked at the end of Princess Street, many birds were singing to each other amongst the trees off the road.

We explored mainly the eastern side (to the left on the map). Looking forward to returning and exploring the rest of Milne Dam Conservation.

It is a great recreational area featuring opportunities for birding, wildlife viewing, and enjoying the outdoors. A concrete path weaves along the conservation, allowing for a smooth walk through the park.

Clearing off the road that meets Rouge Creek.

Milne Dam Conservation Park is known for great birding opportunities. I was thrilled to spot a Great Blue Heron in the middle of the Rouge River, staying perfectly still, and occasionally darting its head below the water to grab at fish.

What was unique about my visit to this park was the fact that so many people were bird watching. People were very friendly. When they saw me with my camera, they had immediately asked me what birds I had seen and shared with me their finds.

The first thing you will notice when walking into the conservation park from Princess Street is a bridge overlooking the Milne Dam, separating the running water of Rouge River. Milne Dam is notably one the first steel arch dam in Canada, built in 1911. The current dam that stands today was restored by Toronto Region Conservation Authority in the 1970s .

A few geese hanging out in the cool water.

Admission is free on the weekdays, but there are entrance fees for weekends and public holidays.

We loved our visit, and definitely plan on returning soon!

Have you visited Milne Dam Conservation Park? Tell us about your visit below 🙂


Agawa Rock Pictographs at Lake Superior Provincial Park

Nature has a remarkable way of preserving history, and nowhere is this more evident than at the Agawa Pictographs in Lake Superior Provincial Park. Tucked away along the rugged shores of Lake Superior, these rock paintings offer a glimpse into the life of the Ojibwe. With red ochre (using a mix of iron oxide to produce…

Serpent River Park in Algoma

Serpent River Park is a captivating place to stop for a rest if you are exploring the Algoma region, and travelling between Sault Saint Marie and Sudbury in Ontario. Located roughly between the halfway point of these two cities, you can access the park on the south side of the Trans Canada Highway (Google Maps…

Scout Valley in Orillia

It’s official – we’ve moved to Orillia!  We weren’t loving the city life, and wanted to move somewhere closer to nature and outdoor activities. The traffic, commuting times, and lack of green space was getting to be exhausting. Aside from a few hiking spots within Mississauga, we found we had to drive outside of city…

Snowshoeing at Arrowhead Provincial Park

Arrowhead Provincial Park is owned and managed by Ontario Parks and is located just north of Huntsville, Ontario. Arrowhead is a beautiful and diverse park that offers a range of recreational activities for visitors both in the warmer and colder season, with activity equipment rentals available year-round.  Arrowhead is a popular winter destination, with several…

Claireville Conservation Area

The busy holiday season is done and over, and finally we have had the opportunity to slide back into our regular routine, and spend some time hiking and exploring. We had visited Claireville Conservation Area in October to see the leaves change colour, and being so close of a drive, visited again in January of…

Spruce Bog Boardwalk at Algonquin Provincial Park

Spruce Bog Boardwalk is a quick and easy hike along the Highway 60 corridor in Algonquin Provincial Park. The trail is 1.5 km and made up mostly of boardwalk, and is a leaisurley path with even terrain. We visited the trail on a Saturday in Late October in the early afternoon, and the parking lot…

2 comments

  1. Great shots of the Great Blue Heron. Looks like you found a great spot for birdwatching. We went to Lynde Shores Conservation Area back in the fall and had a similar experience with other birdwatchers. They all seemed eager to share which birds they’ve spotted and even gave us bird seed to help attract the chickadees.

    Like

    1. Thank you kindly! Definitely will be returning, possibly with a canoe 🙂

      That’s amazing, Lynde Shores is absolutely beautiful. I have visited twice thus far and lots of birdwatchers gather there. If you stand there with birdseed in your hand long enough I guarantee you will be able to have a nuthatch or a woodpecker land on your hand!

      Thanks for your comment.

      Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment