Ellice Swamp facts for kids

Ellice Swamp is a very large natural area in Perth County, Ontario, Canada. It's like a big, wet forest, covering about 856 hectares (that's over 2,100 acres!). This special place is located between the towns of Stratford and Milverton. It sits within the Thames River Watershed, which is the area of land that drains into the Thames River.

Long ago, people called it Ellice Huckleberry Swamp. It was part of a large land area known as the Huron Tract. This land was managed by a group called the Canada Company. Ellice Swamp is a type of wetland called a palustrine wetland. This means it's a non-tidal wetland, like a swamp or marsh. It also has 100% organic substrates, which means its soil is made mostly of decayed plants.

Most of Ellice Swamp is owned by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. This group helps protect and manage natural areas. The northern part of the swamp is owned by the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Plants and Animals of Ellice Swamp

Ellice Swamp is home to many different plants and animals. Even though it has a lot of sphagnum moss (a type of moss that holds a lot of water), the swamp is changing. More woody plants are growing there now. Trees like poplar, black ash, and silver maple cover most of the area. Interestingly, even though it was once called "Huckleberry Swamp," huckleberry plants are no longer found there.

The Golden-Winged Warbler

One very special bird found in Ellice Swamp is the golden-winged warbler. This small, colorful bird is a type of "New World warbler." It builds its nests and raises its young in parts of Canada and the United States. About 70% of all golden-winged warblers in the world live in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Manitoba.

These birds are slowly moving further north. However, their numbers are generally going down in other areas. This is mainly because they are losing their natural homes. They also face competition and sometimes breed with a similar bird, the blue-winged warbler.

According to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, Ellice Swamp is the only place in Perth County where you can find the golden-winged warbler. This makes the swamp a very important place for this unique bird!