Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve

Newfoundland and Labrador · Canada

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

Coastal

Best Seasons

Summer

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

May-September

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk (May-October)

About This Location

Cape St. Mary's on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula is home to one of the most accessible seabird colonies in North America. Bird Rock, a massive sea stack just 10 meters from the mainland cliff edge, hosts over 24,000 Northern Gannets along with thousands of Common Murres, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Razorbills.

The experience of standing at the cliff edge, eye-level with soaring gannets and surrounded by the colony's roar, is unforgettable. A short trail from the interpretive center leads through coastal barrens to the colony viewpoint, requiring no boat ride — a rarity for seabird colonies of this caliber.

Location

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Notable Species

Northern Gannet Common Murre Black-legged Kittiwake Razorbill Thick-billed Murre

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Black Scoter

Melanitta americana

3/4/2026NL--Rocky Harbour2 observed

White-winged Scoter

Melanitta deglandi

3/4/2026NL--Rocky Harbour2 observed

Ring-billed Gull

Larus delawarensis

3/4/2026St. John's--Virginia Lake1 observed

Black-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

3/4/202616 Old Mill Rd, Marystown CA-NL (47.1588,-55.1506)1 observed

American Coot

Fulica americana

3/4/2026St. John's--Quidi Vidi Lake5 observed

Ring-billed Gull

Larus delawarensis

3/4/2026St. John's--Quidi Vidi Lake3 observed

Willow Ptarmigan

Lagopus lagopus

3/3/2026Indian Brook8 observed

Common Gull

Larus canus

3/3/2026St. John's--Quidi Vidi Lake1 observed

American Coot

Fulica americana

3/3/2026St. John's--Quidi Vidi Lake5 observed

Ring-billed Gull

Larus delawarensis

3/3/2026St. John's--Quidi Vidi Lake4 observed

Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus

3/3/2026Marystown--Creston North area2 observed

Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

3/2/2026NL--St. Lawrence - 58 Laurentian Avenue1 observed

American Tree Sparrow

Spizelloides arborea

3/2/2026NL--St. Lawrence - 58 Laurentian Avenue1 observed

American Coot

Fulica americana

3/2/2026Quidi Vidi Lake5 observed

Ring-billed Gull

Larus delawarensis

3/2/2026Quidi Vidi Lake1 observed

Bonaparte's Gull

Chroicocephalus philadelphia

3/2/2026CBS--Kelligrews--Pond Road & Outflow1 observed

American Coot

Fulica americana

3/2/2026St. John's--Quidi Vidi Lake3 observed

Ring-billed Gull

Larus delawarensis

3/2/2026St. John's--Virginia Lake1 observed

Wood Duck

Aix sponsa

3/2/2026Waterford River Walk--Symes Bridge to Blackhead Rd1 observed

Common Gull

Larus canus

3/2/2026St. John's--Quidi Vidi Lake1 observed

Recent Observations

Great Cormorant

NL--Topsail beach

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Herring Gull

NL--Topsail beach

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Black Duck

NL--Topsail beach

3/4/2026

3 birds

Iceland Gull

Forteau--Harbour Drive

3/4/2026

1 birds

Common Goldeneye

Bonne Bay--Norris Point

3/4/2026

3 birds

Red-breasted Merganser

Bonne Bay--Norris Point

3/4/2026

1 birds

Common Loon

Bonne Bay--Norris Point

3/4/2026

1 birds

Common Raven

CBS--Chamberlain's Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bald Eagle

Bonne Bay--Norris Point

3/4/2026

1 birds

Great Black-backed Gull

Forteau--Buckle's Point

3/4/2026

2 birds

Common Merganser

Forteau--Buckle's Point

3/4/2026

2 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Spruce Hill Rd, Bonne Bay Pond

3/4/2026

1 birds

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Spruce Hill Rd, Bonne Bay Pond

3/4/2026

1 birds

Pine Grosbeak

Newfoundland T'Railway, Benton, Newfoundland and Labrador, CA (48.927, -54.514)

3/4/2026

5 birds

Boreal Chickadee

Newfoundland T'Railway, Benton, Newfoundland and Labrador, CA (48.927, -54.514)

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

St. John's--Virginia Lake

3/4/2026

4 birds

Song Sparrow

St. John's--Virginia Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Canada Jay

T-Trail NLSF

3/4/2026

3 birds

Redpoll

T-Trail NLSF

3/4/2026

2 birds

Blue Jay

St. John's--Cuckold’s Cove area

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
Fog is common — check the forecast and be prepared for limited visibility, which can lift suddenly
2
Arrive by mid-morning for the best lighting on Bird Rock and the most active gannet displays

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Placentia
Castle Hill National Historic Site

Birding Guides

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

How to Start a Birding Life List

9 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve for birding?▼

The best months to visit Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve for birding are May-September. The best seasons are Summer.

What birds can I see at Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve?▼

Notable species at Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve include Northern Gannet, Common Murre, Black-legged Kittiwake, Razorbill, Thick-billed Murre. The area supports coastal habitats.

How difficult is birding at Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve?▼

Birding at Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve?▼

There is no entrance fee at Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve. Hours: Dawn to dusk (May-October).

What amenities are available at Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve?▼

Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.