The Norwood Mill Pond is always worth a quick scan. From the parking lot the entire pond may be scoped. While a scope isn’t absolutely essential at this location, it certainly can be of benefit viewing the far reaches of the pond. The Mill Pond Forest Trails are worth walking for forest, old field and grassland species, as well as an overlook of the mill pond.

A good variety of both dabbling and diving ducks has been observed at this location along with usually large flocks of Canada Geese, occasionally with Cackling Geese among them. Trumpeter Swan and occasionally both Tundra and Mute swans can be observed at this location.

Norwood Mill Pond is a good place to view concentrations of waterfowl during spring and fall migration. It can be accessed via a short driveway north from Hwy 7 between Mill and Wellington streets in Norwood. This site is officially known as the Mill Pond Butterfly Garden. There is a parking lot overlooking the mill pond, a picnic shelter and portable toilets are available during the summer season. Note that this location is closed in the winter and the entrance gated at Hwy 7. 

Mill Pond Forest Trails is the northern section of this hotspot and is located off CR 40. Turn north at the traffic lights at the intersection of CR 45 and Hwy 7 and continue north just under 2 km to the an unnamed road east to the Asphodel-Norwood Transfer Station. There is a parking area with prominent sign for the Mill Pond Forest Trails right at CR 40. Follow the transfer station road around 400 m east to a designated parking lot. Note that this parking lot is only accessible by vehicle during the operating hours of the transfer station (Saturdays 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; Mondays 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; and Wednesdays 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., May 1 – October 1 ONLY), otherwise the gate at CR 40 is locked, and you must walk the 400 m to the trail head.

The Mill Pond Forest Trails comprises three hiking trails: Orange (975 m); Yellow (615 m); and Blue (200 m). The Blue Trail branches off the Orange Trail and leads to and elevated overlook of the mill pond to the south and a section of the Orange Trail leads down to the north shore of the pond. All trails are maintained (mowed) and marked with corresponding colour blazes.