PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND BIRDING AREAS

SOME BIRDING AREAS FOR PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

For Birding Areas in PRINCE COUNTY please click here.
For Birding Areas in QUEENS COUNTY please click here.
For Birding Areas in KINGS COUNTY please click here.

For general information on Birding, including on the Birding Code of Conduct, please click here.

The Blue Jay is the official bird of PEI – Summerside, PEI – Summer 2016 – © Marie Smith
The Blue jay is PEI's Provincial Bird (Marie Smith)
ARGYLE SHORE PROVINCIAL PARK, off Rte 19 on the south shore, a few km west of Argyle Shore town. Nesting cliff swallows along the banks, woodland birds. – Google map here.
ARSENAULT’S POND, off Rte 11 and 126 at Egmont Bay. Google map here. Forest and wetland birds.
ARSENAULT’S POND, off Laird Mill Road at Tignish Corner. Google map here. Forest and wetland birds.
AUBURN DEMONSTRATION WOODLOT, off Rte 213 near Auburn and Fort Augustus – softwood plantation on old field sites, wetland – more information here for access and details. Google map here.
BARBARA GREEN NATURAL AREA, 12 acres of former farmland in Tryon, now regenerating forest, protected by Island Nature Trust. Forest birds. Downloadable .pdf description and map. Access by a trail around the property that connects to the Tryon River Trail (see below). Google map here.
BARBARA B. PARSONS NATURAL AREA, 125 acres in Bangor area, west of Rte 301, protected by Island Nature Trust – includes grassland, regenerating forest and frontage on east shore of Morell River. Forest birds. Rough path through middle of property down to the river. Downloadable .pdf map with description. Coordinates for the grass driveway: 46.352680, -62.685560. Google map here.
BASIN HEAD PROVINCIAL PARK, off Rte 16 at Kingsboro, east side of PEI on Northumberland Strait – Google map here.
BEACH GROVE NATURAL AREA (MEMORIAL FOREST), two 1.5 km of trails in woodland along the North River – waterfowl, shorebirds, forest birds – City of Charlottetown (downloadable .pdf map) – Google map here.
BECK TRAIL, Murray River – 5 and 10 km, woodland – website: http://www.becktrail.com/ with trail map here. Trailhead GPS: N 46 2.177’ W 62 36.304’ – Google map here.
BEDEQUE BAY, Important Bird Area, Summerside and surrounding areas – staging area for Canada Geese and other migratory waterfowl during migration, shorebirds on the mudflats. Google map here.
BELMONT PROVINCIAL PARK, Malpeque Bay on east point of Grand River mouth – shorebirds, waterfowl – Google map here.
BLACK POND MIGRATORY BIRD SANCTUARY, 16 km east of Souris, bordered by Rte 16 (East Point Road), Little Harbor Beach Road, an unnamed road and the sea. Covers 130 ha on private property, no trails. Established in 1936, federally administered. Boundaries marked by blue signs with a loon. Google map here.
BLOOMFIELD PROVINCIAL PARK, off Rte 2 near Bloomfield Corner in west PEI, along the Mill River – Google map here.
BONSHAW HILLS PROVINCIAL PARK, Bonshaw – 25 km of trails in mountainous terrain, all-purpose use, open year-round (trail map: downloadable .pdf file) – also Google map here.
BOUGHTON RIVER TRAIL NATURAL AREA, off Rte 4, between Bridgetown and Dundas – foot trail, private lands – woodland, river flats, meadows – songbirds, woodpeckers, owls, red-winged blackbirds, bitterns, great blue herons, ospreys, bald eagles, other waterfowl – Google map here, also Island Trails (click link on title) has downloadable .pdf maps.
BREADALBANE NATURE TRAIL, Breadalbane – 6.5 km, difficult sections, along Dunk River, old mill pond, private land, mixed woodland – songbirds, jays, kingfishers – Trailhead GPS: N 46 21.440’ W 63 30.070’ – Google map here.
BROOKVALE DEMONSTRATION WOODLOT, Brookvale – access from Rte 13 – Google map here.
BRUDENELL RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK, between Georgetown and Montague (downloadable .pdf map) – Google map here.
BUBBLING SPRINGS TRAIL, PEI National Park, 2 km east of Stanhope – trailhead GPS: N 46 25.000’ W 63 5.745’ – Google map here.
CABOT BEACH PROVINCIAL PARK, mouth of Malpeque Bay on east side (downloadable .pdf map) – White-winged Crossbills (an irruptive species) have been observed there. Google map here.
CAMP TAMAWAMBY DEMONSTRATION WOODLOT, east of Rte 2, between Richmond and Wellington, off Rte 131 (Sunnyside Road), take Camp Tamawamby Road to the end – 1.5 km, woodland near Grand River – GPS: N 46 28.624’ W 63 57.593’ – Google map here.
CANAVOY AND ADJACENT BEACHES IMPORTANT BIRD AREA, south shore of Savage, north of Rte 350 – piping plover nesting area – property owned by the province. Coordinates: 46.443 N 62.747 W – Google map here.
CAPE TRYON IMPORTANT BIRD AREA, north shore off Rte 20, a few km west of New London Bay – double-crested cormorant colony, shorebirds, piping plover – also along Cape Road to the point – coordinates: 46.529 N 63.512 W – also Google map here.
CASCUMPEC BAY, ALBERTON HARBOR, Important Bird Area – off Rte 152 – coordinates: 46.782 N 64.046 W – Canada goose, piping plover, barrow’s goldeneye, great blue heron colony (Oulton Island), Ospreys – Google map here.
CAVENDISH DUNELANDS, PEI National Park, off Cavendish Beach or Oceanview lookoff– marshes with boardwalk, 2.3 km – Google map here.
CAVENDISH GROVE, PEI National Park, north of Rte 6 – 12 km of trails – Parks Canada map here, Google map here.
CEDAR DUNES PROVINCIAL PARK, West Point, off Rte 14 (downloadable .pdf map) – Google map here.
CHARLES DALTON NATURAL AREA, 78 acres in Nail Pond, northwest point of PEI, protected by Island Nature Trust. Low sand dunes, brackish wetland, close to Northumberland Strait. Shorebirds, wetland birds. Access from Phee Shore Road off Rte 182 in the north, or Upper Shore Road off Rte 14 in the south. Do NOT walk into the dunes or the wetland, stay along the shore along the outflow. (downloadable .pdf description and map) – Google map here.
CHELTON BEACH PROVINCIAL PARK, south shore, off Rte 119 a few km west of Confederation Bridge – Google map here.
CONFEDERATION TRAIL, all across Prince Edward Island – 435 km of fine gravel on old railroads – hiking, cycling – reserved for snowmobiles in the winter – paper maps available at several locations. Website with map and directions: https://www.tourismpei.com/pei-confederation-trail. Also several trails branch out from the Confederation Trail.
COUNTY LINE ROAD, Rte 325 starts north of Caledonia to Rte 317 – Designated Scenic Heritage Road – vantage points on countryside, some woodland – Trailhead GPS: N 46 2.815’ W 62 42.525’ – Google map here.
COUNTY LINE ROAD-GREEN GABLES SHORE, Darnley, from Rte 103 to Rte 101 – Scenic Heritage Road – farmland, mixed woodland, views of Gulf of St. Lawrence – Google map here.

Canada Geese in flight – Vernon River, PEI – Feb. 2019 – © Roberta Palmer
Canada geese in flight, by Roberta Palmer
 CURRIE-FARRAR ROAD, Green Bay area on each side of Appin Road (Rte 237) – Scenic Heritage Road – Woodlands, hedgerows, farmland, countryside vantage points – Google map here.
DEROCHE POND, off Rte 218, coastal area ecosystem with access to the beach – Shorebirds, waterfowl. Google map here.
DEVIL’S PUNCHBOWL TRAIL (formerly a provincial park) south of North Granville, east of Rte 254 – Grahams Road Brook, Mallett’s Pond, near Granville Creek (2 km), Lot 21 – on Mapcarta: https://mapcarta.com/24223184http://www.islandtrails.ca/en/trail.php?t=24.
DROMORE WOODLANDS TRAILS, Dromore – 14 km in 4 sections, includes a 1.3 km ‘Birding Loop’, easy, along a stream – Trailhead GPS: N 46 17.030’ W 62 49.080’ – Google map here.
EAST LAKE, off Rte 16, north shore, a few km from East Point – Google map here.
EAST POINT IMPORTANT BIRD AREA, off Rte 16 on Lighthouse Road (2.1 km) – located at the junction between the north shore and Northumberland Strait, the BEST birding area on PEI – many seabirds, migratory waterfowl seen here, also nesting great cormorants. Google map here.
ELLEN’S CREEK, Charlottetown, access from Beach Grove Drive bridge – Google map here. American wigeons, American black ducks and other waterfowl spend the winter there in ice-free areas.
ELLERSLIE BOG NATURAL AREA, Ellerslie – off Confederation Trail – Google map here
FARMLANDS TRAIL, PEI National Park, 2 km east of Stanhope, 2.9 km – Google map here.
FOLEY’S POND NATURAL AREA, 20 acres of white spruce on former farmland in central Kildare, bordered by a barachois pond. Protected by Island Nature Trust. Forest Birds. No road access, take O’Rourke Road from Rte 12, 2 km from Portage, and access on foot from the beach. (downloadable .pdf description and map) – Google map here.
FOREST HILLS TRAIL, WHITLOCK’S POND, near Forest Hill, off Rte 339, with trails – 7.8 km, woodland, two ponds, wetland, also a 40’ high lookout tower – private and provincial ownership – diversified bird life – downloadable maps at Island Trails (click on 1st title) – Google map here.
FOXLEY RIVER DEMONSTRATION WOODLOT, Roxbury – 1.3 km of woodland across from the MacDonald’s River Watershed Trail – Trailhead: 46.6903671, -64.0542715Google map here.
FULLERTON MARSH/CREEK CONSERVATION PARK, Stratford – 4 km woodland with a lookout – access from MacIntosh Drive. Google map here. Wetland and forest birds.
GAIRLOCH ROAD TRAILS, Iona – 7 km loop trail – 1,500 acres of woodland, hilly – 15 species of warblers, grey jays, hermit thrush, rose-breasted grosbeak, northern goshawk, barred owl – trailhead GPS: N 46 2.313’ W 62 49.305’ – Google map here.
GLEN ROAD, Glencorradale, Rte 303 (Glen Road) from Rte 302 (Baltic Road) – Scenic Heritage Road – farmland, woodland – large elm tree at eastern end – Google map here.
GREEN PARK PROVINCIAL PARK, off Rte 2, along Tyne River – Tyne Valley – seaside, marsh, mixed woodland – Google map here.
GREENWICH DUNES, part of PEI National Park – includes a few trails with map here (also downloadable .pdf map) – waterfowl, shorebirds, seabirds – Trailhead GPS: N 46 26.610’ W 62 41.640’ – Google map here.
GULF SHORE WAY EAST, PEI National Park – asphalted trail along the road, sand dunes, marshes and lagoon – starts at Brackley Beach and goes east, 12 km – Trailhead GPS: N 46 25.750’ W 63 12.070’ – Google map here.
GULF SHORE WAY WEST, PEI National Park – between North Rustico and Cawnpore Lane (Oceanview lookoff) – 8 km, starts from North Rustico – Trailhead GPS: N 46 27.835’ W 63 17.990’ – Google map here.
HACKENEY ROAD, Woodstock (also called “John Joe’ road), between Rte 142 (Kelly Road) and Rte 136 (Mill Road) – Designated Scenic Heritage Road – farmland, forest – ruffed grouse, grey partridge – GPS: N 46 43.415’ W 64 7.9920’ – Google map here.
HARVEY MOORE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, near Montague – owned by Southeast Environmental Association. Highway 4 north of Milltown. – Trailhead GPS: N 46 6.615’ W 62 37.585’ – Google map here.
HAVRE ST. PIERRE TRAIL, PEI National Park, St. Peters Bay – 1 km loop – more information hereGoogle map here.
HEATHER MOYSE HERITAGE PARK AND GARDEN, Summerside – Main entrance: intersection of Eustane and Ottawa Streets. Also access along two footpaths on Arcona Street (across from Rogers Ave). – Google map here.
HILLSBOROUGH BRIDGE, Charlottetown-Stratford – group of European Starlings roosting under the bridge, good spot to watch their murmurations. When: fall, at dusk. Snowy Owls (an irruptive species) have also been observed on the pillars of the old bridge. When: around December. Google map here.
HOMESTEAD TRAIL, New London Bay – 6-8 km loop starts at entrance of Cavendish campground, along the shores of New London Bay, farmland, forest – trailhead GPS: N 46 29.815’ W 63 24.500’ – Google map here.
HYDE PARK TRAIL, Cornwall – 1.5 km along Hyde Creekaccess from Pond Street, off Rte 19 – Google map here.
IONA NATURAL AREA, included in Newton Cross Hardwoods Farrell Forested Natural Area description, see below.
JACK’S ROAD, runs from Rte 1 in Flat River to Rte 207 (4 km) – Designated Scenic Heritage Road – winding through woodland – Google map here.
JACQUES CARTIER PROVINCIAL PARK, off Rte 12, a few km north of Alberton – by the sea (downloadable .pdf map) – also Google map here.
JENKINS COMPLEX NATURAL AREA, 693 acres of forest with nine ponds and wetlands in Mount Albion. Forest birds, wetland birds. Protected by Island Nature Trust. Access from Rte 5 at several points, several trails in the complex, but no signage yet. (downloadable .pdf description and map) – Google map here.
JOHN A. HOGG KENSINGTON PUBLIC FOREST, Kensington – 36 acres of forest with trails, access from Confederation Trail (downloadable .pdf aerial map) – Google map here.
JUNCTION ROAD, Hartsville, 1.7 km – enter the road (part of Rte 227) from Rte 225 and go northwest – Designated Scenic Heritage Road – hardwoods, softwood stands – Google map here.
KINGS CASTLE PROVINCIAL PARK, off Rte 348, 3 km east of Murray River – Google map here.
KLONDYKE ROAD (Rte 205), Iona – between Selkirk Road (Rte 23) and Murray Harbour Road (Rte 24) – Designated Scenic Heritage Road – woodland, shrub land – Google map here.
LARKINS POND NATURAL AREA, Selkirk, St. Charles, off Rte 357 – from Confederation Trail. Google map here.
LEARD’S MILL POND, Coleman, off Buchanan Road (Rte 140), along the Trout River, with trails – Confederation Trail across the road – Waterfowl, wetland birds. Google map here.
LINKLETTER BEACH PROVINCIAL PARK, Linkletter – off Rte 11, a few km west of Summerside (downloadable .pdf map) – also Google map here.
LONG POND, Gulfshore Parkway East, PEI National Park, northeast of Stanhope – close to Gulf of St. Lawrence – Google map here.
LORD SELKIRK CAMPGROUND (formerly Lord Selkirk Provincial Park), part of Highland Greens Golf Course, off Highway 1, on Orwell Bay, south shore. Site of the Highland Games, also historical Acadian and Scottish site. Now owned by Belfast Community Corporation. Publicly accessible, trails, wooded areas, cliffs along the shore. Google map here.
MACARTHUR ROAD (Rte 244, also known as Peter’s Road), from Rte 1 to Elmwood, 2 km – Scenic Heritage Road – mixed woodland, old orchards, farmland – Google map here.
MACDONALD RIVER WATERSHED TRAIL, Tory Road off Rte 12, across from the Foxley River Demo Woodlot, near Foxley River – Google map here, trail map here.
MACPHAIL WOODS TRAILS, Orwell, McPhail Park Road off Rte 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) – various length trails, woodland: Streamside Trail, Wildflower Trail, Woodland Nature TrailGoogle map here.
MALPEQUE BAY (RAMSAR wetland) – also listed as an Important Birding Area – several access points around the bay, including three provincial parks (Belmont, Cabot Beach and Green Park), marshes and river estuaries, and islands (Bird Island). Migratory birds staging area, colonies of herons and cormorants, shorebirds, waterfowl. Coordinates: 46.543 N 63.813 W – Google map here
MARK ARENDZ BROOKVALE SKI PARK, Brookvale – downloadable .pdf trail map – Trailhead GPS: N 46 16.370 W 63 25.410’ – Google map here.
MCKENNA’S MARSH, off Confederation Trail, near 48 Road (Rte 5) – Google map here.
MCKENNA-APPIN ROAD (Rte 237), Emyvale area – Scenic Heritage Road – woodlands, farmland – trailhead GPS: N 46 15.445’ W 63 26.520’ – Google map here.
MCLURE’S POND and MURRAY RIVER PINES NATURAL AREA, within the town of Murray River, off Rte 4. This site contains mature red and white pine and mixed woodland along winding roads and trails. The ponds shoreline and adjacent riparian zone offer good habitat for a variety of bird species. Access details here.
MELLISH POND ROAD, off Rte 3 east of New Perth, south to MacDonald Road, 3 km – Designated Scenic Heritage Road – woodland, old mill pond, farmland – Google map here.
MILLMAN ROAD, from Rte 101 in Irishtown to Rte 234 – Designated Scenic Heritage Road – view of countryside from a hill, hardwood/softwood woodland – Google map here.
MIMINEGASH POND, at mouth of Miminegash River, Miminegash – north west side of PEI – off Rtes 14 and 152 – close to the sea. Google map here.
MOONEY’S POND, Peakes – access from Rte 22 – 1.9 km on boardwalk, bridges, gravel path – Trailhead GPS: N 46 17.885’ W 62 46.440’ – Google map here.
MORELL RIVER can be kayaked on long distance, ends in St. Peters Bay – waterfowl, good spot to observe the bald eagle and belted kingfisher – Google map here.
MORRISON’S POND, Island Beach Drive off Darnley – seabirds, waterfowl, shorebirds – Google map here.
MT. STEWART MARSH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, Mt. Stewart – 190 ha of fresh and saltwater marsh, trails along Hillsborough River and Ducks Unlimited impoundment, also connect with Confederation Trail – many forest and wetland bird species. Access directions on the website (click title). Google map here.
MURRAY HARBOR AREA – seabirds, waterfowl, shorebirds – Google map here.
NAUFRAGE HARBOR and Naufrage Pond, north shore on Rte 16 – Google map here.
NEUFFER NATURAL AREA, 15 acres of salt marsh in two parcels on Point Prim, one on the north side adjacent to Cameron Island, the other on the south side. Many wetland birds and song birds. Access from Point Prim road, then Julie Lane for the south property, or Cameron Island Road for the north side property (downloadable .pdf description and map). Protected by Island Nature Trust. Google map here.
NEW HARMONY DEMONSTRATION WOODLOT, off Rte 303 across from New Harmony Road, walking trail. Island Trails info here. More information here. Google map here.
NEW HARMONY ROAD, New Harmony, north east of Souris – Designated Scenic Heritage Road – hardwood and softwood stands – off Rte 303, park at intersection with Greenvale Road – Trailhead GPS: N 46 22.815’ W 62 12.860’ – Google map here.
NEWTON CROSS HARDWOODS FARRELL FORESTED NATURAL AREA, 47 acres of mixed forest stands in Iona, protected by Island Nature Trust. Forest birds. Access from Rte 206 (Iona Road) at intersection with Rte 23 (Selkirk Road). Turn right till Confederation Trail crossing. Park there and take the trail northward, natural area is 50 meters on left side. No trails but some old woods road. (downloadable .pdf description and map) Small Iona Natural Area is across from Rte 206 on south east. Google map here.
NOONAN’S MARSH, west of Borden-Carleton on the Seven Mile Bay – Confederation Trail ends nearby – wetland birds. Access from Rte 1 (Trans Canada Highway) in Borden, turn right onto Dickie Road and left onto Beach Road. Where that road does a bend to the left, there are two paths. The one after the bend takes you across a dyke separating the inland pond (fresh water) from the seaward side going out to the Strait. Coordinates: 46°15’27.8″N 63°41’26.8″W – Google map here.
NORTH CAPE NATURE TRAIL, North Cape – 3.5 km of boardwalk – scrub land, access to Black Marsh (bog) – open, windswept area with view of Gulf of St. Lawrence – terns, gulls, cormorants, loons, scoters, long-tailed duck, eider, harlequin duck, northern gannets, bald eagles – GPS: N 47 3.424’ W 63 59.752’- Google map here.
NORTHPORT-ALBERTON HARBOUR, off Rte 152 – waterfowl, shorebirds, seabirds (see also Cascumpec Bay above)– Google map here.
NORTHUMBERLAND PROVINCIAL PARK, off Rte 4, a few km east of Wood Islands Ferry terminal. Wooded areas good for forest birds, cliff swallows along the banks. (downloadable .pdf map) – Google map here.
NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT ferry route between Wood Islands, PEI, and Pictou, NS – opportunity to observe seabirds and waterfowl from the ship, especially during spring and fall migration. A Brown Booby was even observed getting a ride on the ferry in Oct. 2018 – Google map here.
OCEANVIEW LOOKOFF, PEI National Park, Cavendish section, west of Gulfshore Parkway West, on the beach – Google map here.
ORBY HEAD, PEI National Park, Cavendish section, Gulf Shore Parkway West, west of Cape Turner– (also downloadable .pdf map) – seabirds, cormorants, waterfowl – Google map here.
ORWELL BAY Important Bird Area, southeast shore near Belfast, off Rte 268 (China Point Road), then off on Penn Point Road, past the Arbor Nursery – Major staging area for migratory waterfowl such as Canada geese, American black ducks, etc.- Coordinates: 46.131 N 62.911 W – Google map here.
PANMURE ISLAND PROVINCIAL PARK, off Gaspereaux, Rte 347, on east side of PEI, Northumberland Strait (downloadable .pdf map) – Google map here.
PERRY ROAD, near St. Patrick’s, between Rte 239 and Rte 228, 2 km – Designated Scenic Heritage Road – woodland – Google map here.
PIGOT’S TRAIL, Mount Stewart – 3 km along Hillsborough River, marshes, ponds – trailhead GPS: N 46 21.980’ W 62 52.225’ – more information here. Google map here.
PINETTE PROVINCIAL PARK, south shore, off Rte 1 (Trans Canada Highway) – wooded areas, shoreline along Pinette river and harbor – Google map here.
PINETTE RIVER upstream – shallow water, mudflats – shorebirds – Google map here.
POINT PRIM, off Rte 209 (Point Prim Road), juts into Northumberland Strait on the south shore, has a lighthouse – rocky shore, low level vegetation – shorebirds – Google map here.
PONDSIDE PARK, Stratford – from Stratford Road. 11 acres of forest with pond. Forest birds and waterfowl. More information here.
POVERTY BEACH, off Murray Harbor North – sand bars and inlets – Access from Route #17 at Irvings Cape, then take Poverty Beach Road. Google map here.
PRINCETON-WARBURTON ROAD, Irishtown – Designated Scenic Heritage Road – hilly farmland, some woodlands and hedgerows – Trailhead GPS: N 46 24.135’ W 63 24.805’, from Rte 239, take Warburton Road to Fredericton, 7.8 km – Google map here.
QUEENS COUNTY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (part of the Winter River Trail, see below).

Golden-crowned Kinglet on Wright’s Bridge Trail, PEI – May 21, 2018 – © Roberta Palme
Golden-crowned kinglet (Roberta Palmer)
 RED POINT PROVINCIAL PARK, off Rte 16 on the Northumberland Strait, a few km east of Souris. (downloadable .pdf map) – also Google map here.
ROBERT L. COTTON PARK and trail, Stratford, access from Bunbury Drive. Includes 17 acres of forest, gardens, and trail along Hillsborough River. Forest birds, waterfowl and shorebirds, bird feeding stations. More information here. Google map here.
ROBINSON’S ISLAND TRAIL SYSTEM, PEI National Park, 5 km of trails – trailhead GPS: N 46 26.205’ W 63 14.610’ – Google map here.
ROBINSON’S POND, Tyne Valley, between Rtes 167 and 12 – with trails – Wetland birds, waterfowl. Google map here. Another map here.
ROLLINGS POND, PEI National Park Gulf Shore Parkway West section and Church Hill Avenue – near the Gulf of St. Lawrence – seabirds, waterfowl, shorebirds – Google map here.
ROMA TRAIL, Montague-Brudenell – 1 to 6 km, seaside, woodland – off Rte 319 to Roma Point Road – Trailhead GPS: N 46 10.895’ W 62 33.690’ – Google map here.
ROND POND OVERLOOK, off Rte 12, Round Pond Lane, a few kms north of Kildare’s Cape – Google map here.
ROTARY FRIENDSHIP TRAIL, Summerside – 64 acres of wooded areas with gravel and clay trails – parking lot at 599 MacEwen Rd (between the Prince County Hospital and Walker Ave). Other entrances from Colin Avenue and the Confederation Trail just east of Gillespie Dr.– Google map here.
ROYALTY OAKS NATURAL AREA, Charlottetown, off Rte 2 (St. Peters Road), includes Wright Creek. 85 acres of successional land. Click on title for Google map.
RUSTICO BAY area, Grand Pere Point Road (Rte 242), off Rte 6 (Rustico) – waterfowl, seabirds – Google map here.
SALLY’S BEACH PROVINCIAL PARK, off Rte 310 at Spry Point on Boughton Bay, Northumberland Strait east – Google map here.
SCALES POND, Freetown, off Rte 109 (Scales Pond Road), with trails. Waterfowl, wetland birds.
Google map here.
SEACOW HEAD CLIFFS NATURAL AREA, 7 acres of eroding sand cliffs on Northumberland Strait off Fernwood south of Summerside. Protected by Island Nature Trust. Former fields, replanted into a forest. Songbirds, shorebirds. Access from Rte 119, take Sherry Road, property is on left at end of road, bordered by the sea. (downloadable .pdf description and map) – Google map here.
SINGING SANDS BEACH, from Basin Head, off Rte 16, several km of squeaking sand along Northumberland strait, shorebirds, seabirds, waterfowl – Trailhead from Basin Head: GPS: N 46 22.705’ W 62 6.565’ – Google map here.
SOURIS CAUSEWAY-GATEWAY PARK, Souris, east side of PEI – on Rte 2, formerly a provincial park. Shorebirds, waterfowl, seabirds. Google map here.
SOURIS STRIDERS TRAIL, Souris – 1 to 20 km, woodland with streams and some wetlands – off Rte 305 – trailhead GPS: N 46 24.155’ W 62 15.155 – this trail can link to the Townshend Woodlot Natural Areas (see below) via the Confederation Trail. Forest and wetland birds. Google map here.
SPRY POINT TRAIL, access from Sally’s Beach Provincial Park (see above). Two trails, total 4 km. Sand dunes, shrubs. Shorebirds, bank swallows. Google map here.
STANLEY BRIDGE and STANLEY BRIDGE POND, by New London Bay off Rte 238 – Google map here.
ST. MARY’S BAY, Panmure Island – shorebirds – Park at Panmure Island Provincial Park and walk across the road to the mud flats. Google map here.
ST. PETER’S BAY SHORELINEGoogle map here.
STRATHGARTNEY PROVINCIAL PARK, Churchill-Bonshaw area – 7 km difficult woodland – Trailhead GPS from Rte 1: N 46 13.010’ W 63 20.115’ – Google map here.
SUMMERSIDE BAYWALK, Summerside waterfront along the shore of Bedeque Bay, 6.5 km of mixed boardwalk – go west opposite the harbour along the Shooting Gallery Shore, trail ends in wet forest on gravel road – trail GPS: N 46 23.450’, W 63 46.715’ – Google map here.
TOWNSHEND WOODLOT NATURAL AREA owned and administered by the province, 260 acres of forest adjacent to the Island Nature Trust property of same name (which has no trails). 6.4 km woodland trails. Google map here.
TROUT RIVER NATURAL AREA TRAIL, Coleman, off Rte 2 – 5 km, forested riparian zone along the Trout River – David Biggar Memorial Interpretive Center and activities by Trout Unlimited – trailhead GPS: N 46 41.720’ W 64 9.315’ – Google map here.
TRYON RIVER TRAIL, Tryon – administered by the South Shore Watershed Association – Mixed forest, salt marsh. Access from this trail to the Barbara Green Natural Area (see above). Forest and wetland birds. Google map here.
UNION CORNER PROVINCIAL PARK, off Rte 11 near Mont-Carmel, south shore on the Northumberland Strait – Google map here.
VALLEYFIELD DEMONSTRATION WOODLOT – Forest birds. Trailhead GPS: N 46 8.345’ W 62 43.190’. More information here. Google map here.
VERNON RIVER ice-free areas in the winter have waterfowl – Google map here.
VICTORIA BEACH (formerly Victoria Provincial Park), off Rte 116, south shore, Victoria – Google map here.
VICTORIA PARK, Charlottetown – mixed forests, ponds, boardwalk along the harbour – many trails, facilities – downloadable .pdf trail map. Google map here.
WALLS ROAD, Freetown, from Rte 111 (Newton Road) – Designated Scenic Heritage Road – farmland, crosses Dunk River – grey partridge, bald eagle – Google map here.
WEST POINT BEACH TRAIL, West Point – 4 km, access from Cedar Dunes Provincial Park. Hike along the beach from West Point Harbourside Center, turn around the West Point and continue on the beach to Carey Point. Trailhead GPS: N 46 37.195’ W 64 22.390’. Click on title for Google map.
WESTMORELAND RIVER NATURE PARK, by Stewart’s Pond off Rte 13 near Crapaud. With trails. Waterfowl, wetland birds. Google map here.
WHEATLEY RIVER TRAIL, Rackham’s Lane off Rte 243 (New Glasgow Road), Wheatley River – 2 km, along river and pond – Google map here.
WILMOT RIVER, east side of Summerside – staging area for hundreds of geese and other waterfowl during migration – Google map here.
WINTER RIVER TRAIL, Suffolk – trail used year-round, 6 km of woodland along the Winter River – songbirds, waterfowl – adjacent to Queens County Wildlife Management Area -Trailhead GPS: N 46 21.225’ W 63 3.720’. Google map here.
WOOD ISLANDS PROVINCIAL PARK, off Rte 1 and 4, Wood Islands, on the south Shore (ferry to Nova Scotia) on Northumberland Strait – seabirds, shorebirds – Google map here.
REFERENCES (in no particular order):
https://www.tourismpei.com/pei-scenic-heritage-roads
https://www.ibacanada.com/ (Important Bird Areas)
http://islandtrails.ca/en/trails.php (Island Trails – with detailed information and maps)
http://www.peisland.com/virtualtour/birding.htm (southern Kings county)
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/communities-land-and-environment/natural-areas (PEI Government list of Natural Areas)
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/pe/pei-ipe/activ/oiseaux-bird (PEI National Park)
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/pe/pei-ipe/activ/randonnee-hiking (PEI National Park list of trails)
https://www.tourismpei.com/pei-provincial-parks (list of provincial parks)
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/communities-land-and-environment/provincial-forests (publicly accessible provincial forests, demonstration woodlots)
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/communities-land-and-environment/ponds-and-wetlands (publicly accessible ponds and wetlands)
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/communities-land-and-environment/wildlife-management-areas (publicly accessible wildlife management areas)
Confederation Trail downloadable .pdf map
25 of the Best, Easy To Reach Birding Spots On Prince Edward Island, by Geoff Hogan, 1989 (32 page booklet available at PEI public libraries)
Trails of Prince Edward Island, by Michael Haynes, 2015, Goose Lane Editions