Port Davidson Conservation Area



Photos: Beth Brown.
 


A frog relaxing in the Welland RIver.
 


Sun setting behind the trees across from the Welland River.
 


 

General Information

Port Davidson Conservation Area is a fantastic place to go for visitors who enjoy fishing or bird-watching. This small, quaint Conservation Area is made up of less than 0.2 hectares of land. It is located south of Smithville, in the Township of West Lincoln, on the edge of the Welland River. Although the area does not have a specific address, it is located slightly down the road from Robert Land Academy, which makes it easy to find.

The area is located within the quiet countryside, surrounded by large trees and fields on the edge of the Welland River. The mature trees provide shade along the river and there are many different plant, bird, and small mammal species in the area. The isolation of the Port Davidson Conservation area makes it ideal for wildlife viewing, canoeing, or fishing. The Welland River is home to many different species of fish, which include the large-mouth bass, yellow perch, and walleye.

Located just 5 minutes away on the route to Port Davison Conservation Area is a bird-watching store, known as Birdwatch Enterprises, where tourists can buy bird feed, bird houses, binoculars, field guides, and giftware. On the route to or from the conservation site, tourists can stop within the town of Smithville and enjoy a meal at Touchdown Willy's or the Maple Leaf Pancake house.


Recreational Activities

- Fishing

- Canoeing

- Wildlife Viewing

- Bird Watching

Hours of Operation

Year-Round

Directions

From Toronto:

1. Take the Gardiner Expressway West ramp

2. Merge onto Gardiner Expressway West

3. Continue onto Queen Elizabeth Way

4. Merge onto Queen Elizabeth Way/ON-403 West

5. Keep left to continue on Queen Elizabeth Way, follow signs for Niagara/East Hamilton/Fort Erie

6. Take exit 71 for Christie Street/Regional Road 12 toward Ontario Street/Maple Avenue

7. Turn right (South) onto Christie Street/Regional Rd 12 (signs for Christie Street S/Business Area)

8. Continue to follow Regional Road 12

9. Turn left (East) onto Regional Road 20 East

10. Turn right (West) onto South Grimsby Road 8

11. Turn left (East) onto Twenty Road

12. Take the 1st right (South) onto Smithville Road

13. Turn left (South-East) onto Silver Street/Regional Road 65

14. Slight right onto Caistor Gainsboro Townline Road (Heading South)

15. Turn left (East) onto South Chippawa Road - Destination will be on the right


From Niagara Falls:

1. Head West on Ferry Street toward Allendale Avenue

2. Continue onto Lundy's Lane

3. Continue onto Hwy 20 East/Regional Road 20 West

4. Turn left (South) onto Victoria Avenue/Regional Road 24

5. Turn right (West) onto Canborough Road/Regional Road 63 (signs for Regional Road 63/Canborough Road)

6. Turn right (North-West) onto South Chippawa Road - Destination will be on the left

Ecological

Port Davidson is located directly on the edge of the Welland river, making it ideal for fishing, canoeing, or kayaking. The quiet, isolated area is surrounded by large trees which also makes it ideal for bird watching and other wildlife viewing. Common wildlife species in the area include the white-tailed deer, and river fish like yellow perch and the large-mouth bass.

Bird-watchers might get the opportunity to see certain birds species like cardinals, blue-jays, red-headed woodpeckers, chikadees, robins, barn swallows, mourning doves, killdeer, and the barred owl.

Further Information

Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA). (2013). Our conservation areas: Your natural playground. Retrieved from http://www.npca.ca/conservation-areas/

Biotactic Fish and Wildlife Research. (2013). Fish movement in the Welland River watershed. Retrieved from http://www.biotactic.com/welland_fish_movement.htm

Metroland Media Group (MMG). (2013). Birdwatch Enterprises. Retrieved from http://www.goldbook.ca/wellandport-on/bird-feeders-houses/birdwatch-enterprises-12178/

Fasken, K. (2013). Birds of Ontario. Retrieved from
http://www.pbase.com/kevin_fasken/birds_of_ontario&page=all

Ownership & Management

Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Facilities

Free Parking

Admission Fee

No Admission Fee

Accessibility

Parking

Contact

Phone: (905) 788-3135
Website: http://www.npca.ca/conservation-areas/port-davidson/

Address

South Chippawa Road
Smithville, Ontario
L0R 2J0 Municipality Township of West Lincoln

GPS Co-ordinates

Latitude: 42.9970
Longitude: -79.5661

Map

Administration

Dave Drobitch
Superintendent
250 Thorold Road West; 3rd Floor
Welland , Ontario
L3C 3W2
Tel (905) 788-3135
Fax (905) 788-1121
Email ddrobitch@npca.ca
Website http://www.npca.ca

Trail length: 0.1 Kilometres

Walking time: 1 Minute

Surface features; Dirt Paths, Gravel Driveway


This point of interest is one of many on the GuideTags app –
a free digital interpretive guide that features thematic tours, routes, and discovery sessions,
and automatically tells geolocated stories about the places that surround us.
Download the app today, and start exploring!
Contact us if you would like to create your own content.
Report an error or inappropriate content.