Cape St Mary's | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Cape St Mary's

Cape St Mary's, elevation 105 m, on Newfoundland's AVALON PENINSULA, is the steep and spectacular terminus of the land separating ST MARY'S BAY and PLACENTIA BAY near rich fishing grounds. The site of a lighthouse since 1860, the
Cape St Mary
The cape and adjacent Rock Island have been a protected sanctuary for seabirds in Newfoundland and Labrador since 1964 (photo by J.A. Kraulis/Masterfile).

Cape St Mary's, elevation 105 m, on Newfoundland's AVALON PENINSULA, is the steep and spectacular terminus of the land separating ST MARY'S BAY and PLACENTIA BAY near rich fishing grounds. The site of a lighthouse since 1860, the cape and adjacent Rock Island have been protected provincially since 1964. Established in 1983 as an ecological reserve (area, 64 km2, of which 54 km2 is water), Cape St Marys is home to large populations of seabirds, including one of North America's 6 northern GANNET colonies. The accessibility of Cape St Marys allows easy viewing of the large congregations of nesting seabirds, providing an outstanding opportunity to observe their habits.