No parrots at Parrott's Bay LbNA #11698 (ARCHIVED)

Parrott’s Bay Conservation Area is west of Kingston between Amherstview and Bath. A map is here:
http://www.cataraquiregion.on.ca/lands/pbay.htm
There are no facilities or trail maps available at the park so you may want to print one out. These directions use the southern entrance off Hwy 33 also known as Bath Road or the Loyalist Parkway. Fee by donation is welcme. Box #1 and 2 are on fairly flat ground. #3 is a hilly trail, steep in places -to be avoided if it is wet or slippery. (#3 is closer to the Taylor Kidd entrance if you want to do this one separately.)
You won’t see any parrots at Parrott’s Bay Conservation Area but you do have a good chance of seeing these feathered friends:
1. ARDEA HERODIAS (Great Heron)
Follow the gravel path into the woods. The trail will split just before a large area of flat rock. Turn right, you’ll come back to the main trail later. Follow the right turn down the rutted trail. You are now heading east. This trail too will fork, go 11 steps on the grassy trail, the right fork. Look left. About 15 feet into the woods you will see a pile of cut trees. Your heron is waiting in the pile of cut wood.
Now retrace your steps to the fork right behind you and turn right. A few steps bring you to a new observation deck which offers a great view of the bay and a good chance of seeing a real heron.
2. MELOSPIZA MELODIA (Song Sparrow)
Head back to the main trail at the flat rock for #2. Go past the flat rock. It’s a short walk to your next stop. Look for a table rock right beside the trail on the right. Song Sparrow is behind this rock. Be sure to rehide this one well as it is easily visible from the trail.
3. ICTERUS GABULA (Northern Oriole)
#3 is a longer hike, approx 20 minutes from #2. (You can also access this one from the north entrance on Taylor Kidd). Walk north until you are almost at the northern limit of the conservation area. You’ll see a substantial footbridge and a plaque noting its construction. From the plaque turn right, and head east up the hill. There is a smaller path running right beside the water, this one will also get you where you want to go but is very muddy and narrow. Stay on the main trail, you will have several ups and downs. At the top of the last major rise the trail will split. Take a right, heading down to the water on the trail that is beside the electric pole. Head east. You’ll come to a glacial erratic (large granite boulder) on your right. Not bad but a better spot is just a little further, another glacial erratic will call you over as it pokes into the trail. The oriole is hidden behind this boulder, on the waterside.