Grand River Country | Trails Take Flight

Ruthven Riverside Trail - Cayuga

Latitude/Longitude: 42° 58' 52" N , 79° 52' 18" W

The Ruthven Riverside Trail is situated within the Ruthven Park National Historic Site near Cayuga. This site consists of approximately 1500 acres and was the former home of the Thompson family, once prominent in Canadian politics and investors in the Grand River Navigation Company. Parking facilities and a public washroom are found near the beginning of the trail. Tours of the mansion are available during scheduled times at a nominal fee.

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The 1.4 km trail consists of a loop, has a grassy surface which is at times muddy and not suitable for bikes, is in places naturalized and in others is a mown lawn. The trail parallels the river, with Carolinian woods, grassy and weedy fields, and some lawn. Stone ruins mark the north end trailhead, and the Thompson family cemetery marks the southerly limit of the trail.

Other trails cross the main trail such as a Butterfly Trail and the Carolinian Woodland Trail. The area is rich in plant life (nearly 400 species recorded) and abundant bird life, and has preserved a good deal of historically important forest lands. For these reasons, portion of the area has been designated as an ANSI (Area of Natural and Scientific Interest), and over 500 vascular plants have been identified on the site. It is also regionally an Environmentally Sensitive Area, with some Provincially Significant Wetlands.

Upon arriving at Ruthven, birders are urged to visit the Ruthven Park Bird Banding Station. Here novice and expert birders alike can benefit from seeing migrating and resident birds up close. The Banding station is open daily in spring and fall, and on occasional days in summer and winter. The station is one of the better equipped facilities for bird banding in the area. Ten net lanes are in operation to net and record bird species.

Common species found on this trail most of the year include Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatch, Mourning Dove, American Robin and American Goldfinch. Birds of interest that may be seen here include the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Blue-winged Warbler, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Veery, Cape May Warbler, Gray Catbird, Great Blue Heron, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, Indigo Bunting, and many seasonal migrants. Maps, as well as butterfly and bird checklists, are available at the banding station. Trail maps and lists can also be found just off the parking area.

Trail Owner and Manager: Ruthven Park National Historic Site (Lower Grand River Land Trust Inc.)
Trail Affiliation: Grand Valley Trail