A riot of vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds adorn the trees during the peak of autumn at Mud Lake, an urban park in Ottawa’s West End. While there is beauty in every season, the primarily deciduous forest containing oaks and maples, is at its best during the autumn months. The autumn auditory experience at Mud Lake is also spectacular, with leaves rustling as they sway in the dense canopy, the crunching of dried leaves underfoot, and the water sounds of geese landing in the waters of the pond.
Mud Lake is located in the densely populated neighbourhood of Britannia in Ottawa, Ontario. This walking park is one small part of the Britannia Conservation Area, which spans 60 hectares of green space along the Ottawa River. The National Capital Commission, which oversees the management of the park, says that there are 269 species of birds and 44 rare and uncommon species of plants. There are also amphibians and reptiles, such as the snapping turtle.
Bird watching is one of the most popular activities in this crowded urban park. There is an active community of birds throughout the forest and pond, which attracts an active community of birdwatchers. While the park wildlife starts to quiet down with the approaching winter migration, there is still stunning wildlife to be seen. Wild turkeys often come out of their hidden pathways among the trees to walk along the designated walkways, and the striking wood ducks perch on wood and vegetation along the water’s edge.
Mud Lake provides a thriving wilderness for many of Ottawa’s plant and animal species to find a home in the middle of a busy urban environment, and it allows people to experience the best that the autumn season has to offer without having to travel long distances from their day-to-day routines. Mud Lake is a truly special place to be inspired by nature.
Further Resources
National Capital Commissions site for Mud Lake: https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/mud-lake
Mud Lake Vegetation Management Project: https://bit.ly/3UsKnjY
The Heron and Rose 