Meadowlily Woods Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) is located in east London near Commissioners Road and Meadowlily Road, east of Highbury Avenue. The Meadowlily Bridge (c. 1910) at the foot of Meadowlily Road provides pedestrian access to the ESA from the Thames Valley Parkway trail system.

Trails

The main access point is on Meadowlily Road not far from the river. About 4.6 km of trails loop through the ESA on gently sloping terrain. The managed trails are marked with yellow blazes painted on the trees.

Meadowlily Nature Preserve Trail – approx 350 m
Across the road from the Meadowlily Woods Trail, this short, easy trail takes you from Meadowlily Rd. South along the Thames River floodplain into a butterfly meadow.

Meadowlily Butterfly Meadow
TTLT is slowly restoring this area to native meadow by planting grasses and wildflowers each year with the help of local students. The meadow provides habitat and nectar for an impressive range of butterflies. Interpretive signage in the meadow shows some of the species that can be found there. Visit in July and August for the best chance of seeing these butterflies.
Parking – parking is provided by the City of London along the side of Meadowlily Road South.

We would also direct you to read our DISCLAIMER and our TRAIL USERS CODE.

 

 

Region(s): Middlesex County
Nearby towns and cities: London

MEADOWLILY WOODS characteristics

Length: 4.6 km
Difficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Natural
Trail use: Hiking
Accessibility Notes: Accessibility not known.
Fees: None reported

Flora & Fauna:

Plant Communities:

The site contains a mix of wetland and upland forest species. In the bottomland along the river, Basswood, Hackberry, willow and dogwood dominate, while cattails and marsh plants grow in and near the water. In summer, colourful wildflowers can be found including Blue Flag (iris), Evening Primrose, Turtlehead and Great Lobelia.
The upland areas are dominated by Sugar Maple (some over 100 years old), American Beech, Black Cherry, Red Oak, Eastern Hemlock and Yellow Birch. In the spring, the woods are carpeted with a variety of flowers, including Red and White Trilliums, trout lilies, hepatica, Bloodroot, violets, Spring Beauty and Wild Ginger.
The cool, north-facing ravines provide the right habitat for Eastern Hemlock and Yellow Birch, which are unusual species for this region, and over a dozen species of ferns. Skunk Cabbage also grows in the wet seepage areas.
The meadows and young woods are full of asters and goldenrods in the fall.

Wildlife:

Over 110 species of migratory and breeding birds have been observed in the Meadowlily Woods area. Due to its large size and location along the river, the forest supports forest interior and area sensitive species such as Pileated Woodpecker and Ovenbird. Other nesting species include Red-tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Belted Kingfisher, four species of woodpeckers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and American Goldfinch.
The animal life is typical of the London area with Raccoon, Coyote, Eastern Chipmunk, Red Fox, White-tailed Deer, Grey Squirrel, Woodchuck and Beaver.
The many wet habitats are home to Green, Wood and Leopard Frogs, Spring Peeper, Eastern Redback Salamander, Midland Painted Turtle, Eastern Gartersnake and Dekay’s Brownsnake.
The meadows provide nectar-producing flowers for butterflies and moths. Giant and Tiger Swallowtails, Hickory Hairstreak, Clouded Sulphur and Spring Azure are among the species recorded in the area. Dragonflies, damselflies and many other species of insects can be found by the river.

Amenities: None reported

Contact:
infoline@thamesriver.on.ca OR info@ttlt.ca
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority 519-284-2931 OR Thames Talbot Land Trust 519-858-3442

Find it: 17 Meadowlily Road South, London, ON



GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 42.9716640
Longitude: -81.1870740