Cape St. Mary Newfoundland

Gannets Kittiwakes Murres Map

Location
Cape St. Mary is located at the southwest tip of Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula. This area has been protected as an Ecological Reserve since 1983. An Interpretive Center was built in 1995 and naturalists are available from May to October.

Readers of Roger's Tory Peterson's famous book Wild America are familiar with this area. At the time Roger and James Fisher visited they had to hike some 17 miles to the cape from the town of St. Bride. Fortunately today there is a paved road from St. Bride ( 5 KM ) and a gravel road out to the lighthouse, interpretive center and the parking lot.

What Can You See
Northern Gannets (5,400 pairs)
Black-legged Kittiwakes ( 10,000 pairs)
Common Murres (10,000 pairs)
Razorbills ( 100 pairs)
Thick-billed Murre ( 1,000 pairs )
Black Guillemot ( 20 pairs)
Great Cormorant,
Northern Fulmar
.

On the grassy uplands you can see Horned Larks and American Pipit. The road out to the interpretive center is narrow, but by arriving early in the morning I was able to bird my way along the road slowly seeing: Short-eared owl, Blackpoll , Yellow-rumped, Yellow warblers, Pine Grosbeak, Tree Sparrows, Ravens.

When To Go
June - August is the best time, but the reserve is open May - October.

Where To Stay

Murres

Both Common and Thick-billed Murres nest on the cliffs at Cape St. Mary. Ask the naturalist to point you in the direction of the Thick-billed. This is the southernmost colony of Thick-billed Murres. Notice in the picture below that any ledge that is too narrow for Gannets can be occupied by the Murres that lay their eggs directly on the rock ledge without building a nest.

The Murre's egg is oval with a pointed end. Eggs are laid on the cliffs without being protected by a nest. The shape makes the egg roll in a circle which helps to prevent losing the egg over the cliff. This one was apparently lost to the Ravens and I found this empty shell in the grass at the top of the cliff. Notice the light blue color with the irregular brown spots. I didn't remove it ( strictly against the rules). Murres of both species line the cliffs.

Page Author: Emmalee Tarry