Birding is best in early morning or evening when vehicle traffic on CR 38 tends to be lighter.

Upland Sandpiper and Clay-colored Sparrow are the two species for which the location is best known. Upland Sandpiper can be easy to miss and more than one visit is often required to successfully see or hear the species. One or two pairs of Clay-colored Sparrow are present annually at the south end of the area. Other field species present include Wilson’s Snipe, Northern Harrier, Willow Flycatcher, Horned Lark, Grasshopper, Field and Vesper sparrows, Eastern Towhee, Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark.

The Dummer Alvar is an area of grassland with scattered shrubs and small trees over some rubble limestone pavement and shallow gravelly tills. It is primarily on the east side of CR 38 from just north of the C.P.R. line north for just under a kilometre. CR 38 is a busy road with narrow gravel shoulders and deep ditches and consequently few places to park safely off the road.