To visit this hotspot, it is best to arrange to take part in periodic trips coordinated by OFO or the Peterborough Field Naturalists, which will have arranged access with the landowners.

Nephton Ridge is the name used by birders for the ridge that runs SW to NE to the west of the Blue Mountain (Nephton) Mine. The summit affords a panoramic view of the sky and has been used as a location for conducting visible migration watches (waterfowl, raptors) and has traditionally been a good spot to try for wintering eagles. The habitat here is generally a mosaic of beaver ponds and other small wetlands and oak and pine-dominated rocky ridges supporting a wide variety of birds. It is also a popular spot for summer butterfly enthusiasts.

While much of the surrounding area including the hydro access road to the ridge is Crown Land, most of the ridge itself is private property, owned by Covia Canada Ltd. which operates the Blue Mountain (Nephton) mine. There has never been any formal agreement to allow birders access to the mine property. Anyone doing so now without written permission from Covia Canada Ltd. should be aware that they could face trespassing charges. In the past, access to the ridge has been on foot. It is best done by parking in the parking area at the beginning of the hydro access road just north of West Kosh Rd, then walking up the hydro access road for about 600 metres, past the first wetlands, and then following the ridge to the northeast.

Note that the hydro access road is heavily used on weekends and holidays as a snowmobile trail in winter and by ATVs in summer.