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     ‘1) Enjoying Mill River - Naturally 
     
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     Located just off of Raute 2 on Route 136 near O'Leary Corner is Mill Rive 
     
    
   
   
    
     Provincial Park. Situated'aloug the rolling banks of scenic Mill River, 
     
     from which it gets its name, it offers something for every nature lover. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The best way to enjoy Mill River is by cance, especially during the early 
     
     morning or evening hours. Canoe rentals may be made at the Marina which 
     
     is located in the day use area of the park near Rodd's Mill River Resort. 
     
     The riVer is tidal and has a large variety of marina life including sea- 
     
     weeds, clams, mussels, a variety of fish including trout and salmon and 
     
     mammals including mink, muskrat, and the occasional seal. Bird life is 
     
     spectacular and on any given outing one may see osprey, blue heron, king- 
     
     fisher, terns, gulls, sandpipers, teal and black duck. It is not at all 
     
     uncommon during evening paddles to observe blue heron roosting in trees 
     
     along the river. Osprey nests can also be seen in several locations 
     
     along the river. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Proceeding upstream from the river the canoeist can enter one of the fresh 
     
     water streams which empty into Mill River. Here one has the opportunity 
     
     to observe birds and wildlife up close. If you proceed carefully it is 
     
     possible to get within several canoe lengths of a fishing blue heron. 
     
     Kingfishers and terns are plentiful here feeding on the thousands of 
     
     minnow fish darting in me water. Sandpipers accompany you running along 
     
     the bank beside the canoe or skimming gracefully along the water's edge. 
     
     Mink and muskrat can be glimpsed along the bank if one is very observant. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Canoeing is not for everyone of course and those who do not wish to expl . 
     
     the river by canoe may also enjoy it in other ways. The dock at the ' 
     
     marina is an excellent spot for bird watching. During early morning or 
     
     evening blue heron, kingfishers and terns can be seen diving for fish. 
     
    

    
     The hilly area above the marina is an excellent spot for observing osPrey 
     
     and gulls as they soar in the thermals above the river. With binoculars 
     
     osprey can be seen hovering and diving for fish. 
     
    
   
   
    
     A different variety of wildlife can be found in the meadows and woodlots 
     
     surrounding the river. An old hay field undergoing natural forest re- 
     
     growth Sports a variety of fragrant wildflowers and berries. Many 
     
     different types of birds are found here including crows, jays, titmice, 
     
     robins. warblers, bobolinks and sparrows. Mice and voles are found in 
     
     the undergrowth and the whole area is alive with grasshoppers, moths and 
     
     butterflies. An old homestead site is bordered by wild crabapple trees. 
     
     A swampy area becomes a fern forest with ostrich ferns reaching 5 - 6 
     
     feet in height. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The trees in the park range from pure white spruce stands near the marina 
     
     to hardwood stands of maples, birch and beech. In the spring and early 
     
     summer the forest floor is covered with Lady Slipper, bluebead lily, 
     
     trillium. lily-of-the-valley and others. 
     
    
   
   
    
     whether you visit Mill River Provincial Park for a day or several days 
     
     there is semething for every nature lover. Interpretive programs are 
     
     offered in the park during July and August. The marina has a number of 
     
     displays and an informed program staff is available to answer any questi.:' 
     
    
   
   
    
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