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Turtles at Petrie Island

Turtles at Petrie Island
Turtle sunning on a log at Petrie Island.
Turtle sunning on a log at Petrie Island.

This year's walk on Petrie Island will focus on the turtles living here and the work being done to protect turtle habitat on the island and in the surrounding wetlands. We'll be viewing basking turtles and turtle nesting sites.

Learn more about the turtles and turtle habitat of Petrie Island at www.petrieisland.org/naturetour/turtles.htm, including a charming slideshow by Jim Robertson featuring the Petrie Island turtle population.

Location
Route

We'll meet at the north end of Tweddle Road, in the last parking lot (on the left, just before the road loops around on itself). Note that Tweddle Road is accessed from Jeanne d'Arc Blvd North.

The tour route is along trails and beaches on Petrie Island. The terrain is flat, but there are some sandy or muddy areas. Depending on the weather leading up to the Jane's Walk weekend, there may be some standing water.  Flooding is common on the island in the spring.

Participants are encouraged to wear hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes that are suitable for soggy terrain.  If there are flooded areas, we will adjust the route, but there may be some wet and muddy spots to cross.

If you are driving out to Petrie Island from Ottawa, please note that Highway 174 will be closed, Blair to Montreal Rd.  The link shows the detour route.

Please review our covid guidelines before attending a walk.
About the walk leader

Al is Chairman of the Friends of Petrie Island, a group dedicated to preserving this unique natural area and ensuring that the turtle population is protected from human activities at Petrie Island.  Visit their website at www.petrieisland.org.

Guide:

Al Tweddle

When:
Date:Sun May 8, 2022
Time:11:00 AM
Duration: 1 hour
Language: English
Where:
Start:North end of Tweddle Rd (loop), in the parking lot on left
End:same
Area:Orleans
Distance:2.0 kms
Accessibility:

The route includes unpaved trails with possible muddy patches, and sandy beaches, all of which would be challenging for strollers, scooters and wheelchairs.

Gallery
Turtle sunning on a log at Petrie Island. A tiny hatchling turtle from the beach at Petrie Island, Jane's Walk 2013. Pickerel frog among the water plants. Jane's Walk group on Petrie Island. Turtle basking at Petrie Island. Al Tweddle leading a Jane's Walk group on the beach at Petrie Island. Petrie Island muskrat The mural on the side of the old Petrie Island Nature Centre. Turtles basking on a sunny day---Petrie Island.
Volunteer to Marshal This Walk