Welcome to the Carp Barrens Trail, a 3 km loop operated by the Friends of the Carp Hills under an agreement with the City of Ottawa and in partnership with the Ottawa Mountain Bike Association, who maintain the trail.
The Carp Barrens Trail lies on one of the most ecologically significant areas in the region. Because of its unique character, the Carp Barrens are a candidate for the designation as a Provincially Significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (Life Science).
The Carp Barrens area is ecologically sensitive and is for pedestrian and mountain bike use only. Dogs are not permitted. You can enjoy its beauty and minimize your impact by staying on the trail as much as possible. The trail is closed seasonally each year to protect Species at Risk including nesting turtles and birds. Trail closure runs from the first Tuesday after Victoria Day in May until August 15.
We hope that you enjoy this series and learning about a few of the species and natural features present at the Carp Barrens.
Learn more about the Carp Barrens Trail at https://carphills.com/?page_id=1967
Common Nighthawk - Chordeiles minor
On warm summer evenings, Common Nighthawks roam the skies over treetops, grasslands, and cities. Their sharp, electric peent call is often the first clue they’re overhead. In the dim half-light, these long-winged birds fly in graceful loops, flashing white patches out past the bend of each wing as they chase insects. These fairly common but declining birds make no nest. Their young are so well camouflaged that they’re hard to find, and even the adults seem to vanish as soon as they land.