Visiting Hillman Marsh Conservation Area
Hillman is a short detour from Point Pelee, and most people treat it as the afternoon half of a birding day. It is small and easy to work, and it rewards anyone who brought a scope.
Getting there
| From | Distance | Drive | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Pelee National Park | ~12 km | 15 minutes | — |
| Leamington | ~8 km | 10 minutes | — |
| Windsor, ON | ~55 km | 45 minutes | — |
| Detroit, MI | ~85 km | 1.25 hours + border | — |
Distances and times are approximate, and assume you are not sitting in traffic.
Which day to pick
Any day in the second half of May. Late afternoon light puts the sun behind you on the main flats.
Parking and entry
Free parking at the conservation area lot. It is small, and in mid-May it fills the moment a rarity is reported.
A day that works
Early afternoon
The shorebird cell
Set the scope up at the viewing area and work the flats left to right, slowly. Most of the day list comes from this one spot.
Mid afternoon
The marsh loop
Marsh birds, swallows over the water, and a chance at rails if you are patient at the edges.
Late afternoon
Back toward the lake
Good light, and a quieter site once the Pelee crowd has gone home.
What is on site
- Viewing area overlooking the shorebird cell
- Trail loop around the marsh
- Limited seasonal washrooms, so plan around it
What to bring
- A spotting scope. This is the one site where you will really miss it
- Tripod that handles wind on open ground
- Sun protection, because there is no shade at the viewing area
- Rubber boots if you plan to walk the loop after rain
Forgot something?
Pelee Wings Nature Store is at 636 Point Pelee Dr. in Leamington, open 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day. Straps, harnesses, rain covers and field guides, plus the largest stock of binoculars in Canada to compare side by side.
Hillman Marsh sightings, as they happen
A short email whenever something worth driving for turns up, for the rest of the season. We will not send you a catalogue or a daily digest.
One email a week in season. Unsubscribe any time.
Official information
Fees, opening hours and shuttle times change from year to year. Check them at the source rather than taking our word for it.