St. Clair National Wildlife Area, Nature reserve in Chatham-Kent, Canada
St. Clair National Wildlife Area is a protected reserve of about 355 hectares of wetlands and marshes on the eastern shore of Lake St. Clair in Ontario. The landscape features a mosaic of shallow water, reed beds, and marshy ground that creates different zones for various bird species and other wildlife.
The Canadian government established this as a wildlife area in 1978 to protect critical habitats for birds and other species. In 1985 it gained the international Ramsar designation, recognizing its exceptional importance for wetland conservation.
The site sits along a major migration corridor where millions of birds stop to rest and feed during their journeys across the continent. Visitors can witness large flocks gathering in the reed beds and shallow waters, especially during spring and fall movements.
Visitors can walk designated trails for wildlife watching, with the Bear Creek unit offering opportunities for boating on Bear Creek and Maxwell Drain. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when birds and other animals are most active.
The site preserves rare remnants of original tall-grass prairie alongside its wetlands, an ecosystem that has largely vanished from the region. This combination creates an unusual habitat where at least 20 endangered species including the eastern foxsnake find shelter.
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