About

Named after the generous man who donated the nature reserve, Reilly Bird, this 28-hectare (69-acre) property is a stunning parcel of mixed hardwood forest situated along the upper Ottawa River, just northwest of the town of Deep River.

Ontario Nature is grateful to Mr. Bird for his generous donation to protect a piece of the Algonquin to Adirondack corridor.

Reilly Bird Nature Reserve © Laura Robson

History

Reilly Bird emigrated from the United Kingdom to Canada in 1967 to work at the Atomic Energy of Canada plant in Chalk River. He quickly fell in love with eastern Ontario’s vast wilderness, setting out to canoe, backpack and explore it at every opportunity. The geological anomaly of ‘Lot 36’, as the nature reserve property is fondly known to Mr. Bird, was purchased as a way to maintain a quiet bit of wilderness for these solo adventures. But as time passed he felt that he wanted to give something back to Canada.

In 1992, Mr. Bird asked Ontario Nature to protect Lot 36 in perpetuity after his passing. Later, feeling anxious to secure the property, Mr. Bird expedited the transfer. Ontario Nature has benefited greatly from his vast knowledge about the region’s natural heritage.

Reilly Bird © Laura Robson

Plants and Animals

The nature reserve protects nearly half of the Meilleurs Bay shoreline, an Ottawa River inlet, which provides excellent habitat for basking turtles and spawning fish. Huey Creek, a cold water stream that supports brook trout, runs through the property.

Moss covered cedars and yellow birch hug the sandy shoreline of Huey Creek and are frequented by belted kingfishers and ruffed grouse. Great blue herons can be spotted fishing in Meilleurs Bay. Two species of orchids, the dwarf rattlesnake-plantain and broad-lipped twayblade, grow in the shade of the cedar groves.

Twinflowers © Lily Vuong

Visiting

View the trail map here.

We do not charge a fee for entrance and there are no operating hours on any of our nature reserves. Properties are monitored by volunteer stewards. We rely on visitors to be safe, minimize their impact on nature and be respectful of others. For more information about visiting the reserves, please read our Permitted Activities Policy.

We welcome donations to support this nature reserve and our system of 26 nature reserves

Reilly Bird Nature Reserve © Noah Cole

“The Reilly Bird Nature Reserve is a special place that welcomes the people fortunate enough to visit its diverse environment. Whether you are the three year old who climbed the hill trail on snowshoes for the first time last winter, or the young mother out for a spring walk with her new baby, the property lets you enjoy its quiet trails at your leisure. My personal favourite part of Reilly Bird is the small meandering stream that holds the memories of brook trout I first saw there in 1962.

– John Muff

Reilly Bird Nature Reserve © Noah Cole

Directions

From the town of Deep River, follow Highway 17 northwest towards Rolphton. Turn onto Meilleurs Road, approximately 14 kilometres from Deep River on the left or south of the road. The entrance to the nature reserve is marked by a kiosk on the south side of Meilleurs Road and can be found on Google Maps. The north portion of the trail system can be accessed through a short walk along Meilleurs Road from the entrance. Just west of the bay is a driveway with parking space for several vehicles.

View Reilly Bird Nature Reserve in a larger map.