Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve
Cape St. Mary'S Ecological Reserve (Province Of Newfoundland And Labrador) · St. Bride's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve sits at the south-west tip of the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland, at the end of a long road from Route 100 near Placentia. It protects one of the most accessible seabird colonies in North America. A walk of roughly a kilometre and a half from the visitor centre crosses grassy cliff-top barrens to Bird Rock, a sea stack separated from the mainland by a narrow gap, where thousands of northern gannets nest within metres of the viewing point. Murres and black-legged kittiwakes crowd the neighbouring cliffs, and the noise and smell are part of the draw. It suits birders, photographers and anyone who can manage a windy walk of an hour or two on muddy ground, and children old enough to stay back from the edge. Open ocean fog is common and can hide the birds, and the cliff edges are unfenced. Allow a long day from St. John's. Confirm the visitor centre season and the state of the road before you go.
Cape St. Mary's Interpretive Centre, Route 100, St. Bride's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A0B 2Z0, Canada
The reserve itself is open year round, but the best birding is from mid-May to mid-September when the colony is occupied. The visitor centre, interpretive staff and any guided walks run in a shorter summer season, with daytime hours that change by year - confirm dates before the long drive. The walk to Bird Rock is open in daylight, but fog, wind and rain can make it unpleasant or unsafe. Out of season the centre is shut and services are minimal. There are no shops or fuel at the cape, so plan around opening dates and check the local forecast, since fog can hide Bird Rock entirely on an otherwise clear day.
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