Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve Travel Guide

Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, established in 1983, protects a unique and dramatic landscape on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula. The reserve is renowned for its accessibility, allowing visitors to observe vast congregations of nesting seabirds with relative ease.The reserve's star attraction is Bird Rock, a massive sea stack teeming with over 30,000 Northern Gannets during the breeding season. This makes it the third-largest Northern Gannet colony in North America. In addition to gannets, the cliffs are home to thousands of Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common Murres, and Thick-billed Murres, as well as Razorbills and Black Guillemots. The sheer number of birds creates a breathtaking spectacle of color, sound, and movement.The surrounding landscape is equally captivating, featuring sub-Arctic tundra, rugged cliffs, and the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can explore the area via a 1.3km trail leading from the Interpretation Centre to the main viewing point. The Interpretation Centre offers exhibits about the reserve's ecology and birdlife. Knowledgeable staff are available to answer questions and provide guidance. The reserve is also home to a historic lighthouse.Cape St. Mary's is not only a summer breeding ground but also an important wintering area for various sea ducks, including Harlequin Ducks, Common Eiders and Scoters. Humpback whales can also be spotted from the cliffs during the capelin run.