Warbler Woods Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) is located in west London between Commissioners Road and Byron Baseline Road. The publicly-owned lands cover 29 hectares. Warbler Woods ESA forms part of a continuous natural corridor extending north to Kains Woods ESA. The rolling hills and steep ravines of Warbler Woods create a scenic area for hiking, bird watching, and nature appreciation. The upland deciduous forest is particularly beautiful in the spring when it is carpeted with trilliums, trout lilies and other early-blooming plants.
There are 3.9 kms of trails in the ESA. The main trail, which extends the length of the site from access points 1 to 8, is about 1.8 km long. The trails are somewhat challenging with several steep sections. The land is well-drained so rarely muddy. The managed trails are marked with yellow blazes on the trees. The Thames Valley Trail follows the trail from access points 1 to 5, with white blazes.
Link to brochure and trail map: http://thamesriver.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022-WarblerESA-brochure.pdf
We would also direct you to read our DISCLAIMER and our TRAIL USERS CODE.
Region(s): Middlesex CountyNearby towns and cities: London
Trail feature tags: Boardwalk
WARBLER WOODS characteristics
Length: 3.9 kmDifficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Boardwalks and Natural
Trail use: Hiking
Accessibility Notes: Accessibility not known.
Fees: None reported
Flora & Fauna:
Plant Communities:
This ESA is an upland deciduous forest that contains over 250 species of trees and flowering plants. North and south-facing slopes produce a diverse flora with both northern elements and more southern, or Carolinian, affinities.
In the spring the higher ground is covered with Bloodroot, Sharp-lobed Hepatica, White and Red Trillium, Mayapple, violets, Wild Geranium, Columbine and False Solomon’s Seal.
Mature trees of many species can be found. On drier ground, look for White and Red Oaks, Sugar Maple, Butternut, Black Cherry, Ironwood (Hop-hornbeam), and White Pine. In the moist ravines there are many species of ferns, horsetails and club mosses growing underneath Red Maple, Basswood, and White Birch. Between 2000 and 2007 the Hickory Bark Beetle killed a large number of Bitternut and Shagbark Hickories in the site and surrounding area.
Wildlife:
Warbler Woods is a good birding area, especially during spring and fall migrations. Nesting species have included Indigo Bunting, Great Crested Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.
The animal life is typical of the London area. Species observed include Grey Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, Eastern Cottontail, Red Fox, White-tailed Deer, Meadow Jumping Mouse, Raccoon and Woodchuck.
Eastern Gartersnake, Dekay’s Brownsnake, Gray Treefrog, American Toad, and three species of salamander have been seen.
Amenities: None reported
Attractions: Boardwalk
Contact:
infoline@thamesriver.on.ca
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority 519-284-2931
Find it: The main access is on Commissioners Road near the Oxford Street extension.
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 42.9655900
Longitude: -81.3532440
