The Aylmer Wildlife Management Area is a 338 acre site located on a former World War II Royal Canadian Air Force Base.  The old runway is still visible on the Google Map at the bottom of this page.  Located by the Ontario Police College, it is the site of the Tundra Swan migration that sees thousands of migrating swans every spring in March and April.  The site is in partnership with the Elgin County Stewardship Council.

The Photography of Carol Beechey

Carol Beechey is a dog trainer, groomer, musician, photographer, volunteer, grandmother, and lifelong resident of St. Thomas.  She says you are welcome to share the pics.

As you can see from the above and below photos, the place is drastically different during the Swan migration in the spring and the rest of the summer and fall.

Viewing stands are set up, and the former runway is a good place to walk.  Above left–the entrance to the runway area is through the gate past the open viewing stand on the far left. Above right–the main viewing stand and interpretive center.

Inside the main viewing stand and interpretive center.  To the right of the main enclosed stand there is a good wheelchair accessible viewing stand as shown below.  There are also more trails in this area as well.

Above–a view of the stands and a walk around the old runway area in the early spring.

The Aylmer Wildlife Management Area is east of 73 and off 32 by the Aylmer Police College (northeast of the ‘A’ on the map above).  It is easy to get to: go north of Aylmer on John St. (73), turn right on Glencolin (32), 32 makes a jog north on Hacienda Rd. and turn right at the south end of the Police College.

More information on Discover Southern Ontario, Bsc-eoc