Sparroworks

The downside - it is also known to the dog-walking fraternity. Most of them are friendly, many of them will be interested in having birds pointed out to them but there is nothing worse than having some great gambolling mutt jump you in the early morning while you are out having a peaceful time with the birds. Is my prejudice showing? Probably because I've been jumped too often but dogs are fine creatures so long as they are on a leash, quiet and far away from any birds and birders.

Enough of that - entrance to this park is from a quiet road immediately north of the 20 (come off at the Woodland exit, cross the rail tracks and go left). Once in the woodland there are well marked trails - those heading north will eventually lead you to a low, marshy area with a different set of tree species and consequently somewhat different wildlife to the main part of the woodland.

A good and very accessible selection of bird species - even Great Gray Owls one winter

Angell Woods is located in the north-west corner of Beaconsfield, bounded by Highway 20 on the south, Highway 40 on the north, the Baie d'Urfé industrial park on the west and on the east by the housing projects built on the former Fresh Meadows Golf Course.

Some 1600 hectares of green space on the island of Montreal is protected - as a park or otherwise.  Angell Woods is the largest contiguous woodgrove among the unprotected 1600 hectares on Montreal island which has been identified as being of “ecological interest” by the City of Montreal’s “Atlas des Bois”.  It has also been designated as an exceptional forest ecosystem (EFE) by the Ministry of Natural Resources.  

Angell Woods is a hardwood forest, containing Maples, Hickories, Birch, Cedar, Oak and Ash, many of which are over a century old.  The woods are home to much wildlife, including endangered species such as the red-shouldered hawk, Cooper’s hawk and the brown snake. 

Large portions of the woods are valuable wetlands, housing countless different types of flora and fauna.  The Woods are also criss-crossed with a network of trails, maintained by volunteers, which are enjoyed by hikers, dog-walkers and cross-country skiers all year round.