Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area (NWA) was one of the first sites in Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Protected Areas Network to protect habitat for migratory passerine birds (songbirds). Located at the tip of a long peninsula on the northeast shore of Lake Ontario, at no other location on the Canadian side of Lake Ontario are birds known to occur in such high densities during migration. Over 330 species have been observed, including songbirds, waterfowl, owls and hawks. Composed of a diversity of habitats including hardwood forests, meadows, grasslands and cobble beaches, this 532-hectare NWA is

• part of the globally significant Prince Edward County South Shore Important Bird Area;
• used by researchers at the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory’s Canadian Migration Monitoring

Network Station to improve our understanding of bird migration and bird populations locally and globally;

• an important staging area for migrating bats;
• part of the International Network of Monarch Butterfly Reserves.

Public access is allowed on designated trails, on the road and along the beach. Many activities are permitted within designated areas, including boat launching and docking, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, photography, wildlife observation, picnicking (no open fires or charcoal barbeques), and swimming. Fishing is permitted (no lead sinkers). A permit is required for activities outside of designated areas. For more information on permits, please contact the Canadian Wildlife Service regional office.

Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area is just one of the many nature trails and hiking trails you can find throughout Ontario by using the search features of OntarioNaturetrails.com

Region(s): Prince Edward County
Nearby towns and cities: Black River | Cherry Valley | Milford | Picton | Waupoos
Trail feature tags: observatory

Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area characteristics

Length: Not known
Difficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Natural
Trail use: Hiking
Accessibility Notes: Not wheelchair accessible.
Fees: None reported

Flora & Fauna:

Thirty-one species at risk, listed under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) have been recorded within the NWA. For listed avian species at risk, including the Whip-poor-will, Red-headed Woodpecker and Least Bittern, the NWA serves both as an area of respite during migration and as breeding habitat. Numerous snake species can also be found in the NWA. In addition, Prince Edward Point NWA is an important staging area for migrating bats and Monarchs.

Amenities: Washrooms, picnic tables

Attractions: Bird observatory

Contact:
ec.enviroinfo.ec@canada.ca
Canadian Wildlife Service Protected Areas and Stewardship Unit 4905 Dufferin Street Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4 1-800-668-6767

Find it: End of Long Point Road, South Shore, Prince Edward County



GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 43.9372940
Longitude: -76.9085770