Birds

PEI National Park is a great spot for birdwatching. There are many different habitats with easy access, and most of the species to be found on the island can be observed here.

Some key species for the park:

Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

We have been monitoring and making every effort possible to ensure nesting success for this endangered species since before the bird was listed in 1985.

Areas with nesting birds are closed during the nesting season, but Plovers can be found feeding along the shore in July and August, when they are done nesting and are preparing for the flight south.

For more information, please visit: Protecting species. 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

The stately Great Blue Heron is a common sight around the shorelines of PEI National Park from late March until their departure in late fall. 

Approximately 1.2 metres in height, blue herons have long, narrow legs for wading in the water and are very patient fishermen, standing motionless in the shallow salt and fresh waters around the Island.

Brackley and Covehead Bays are top spots to watch this bird. Isn’t it great the way they pose so nicely for photos?

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

This magnificent bird is a year-round resident of PEI. Often seen soaring the skies over PEI National Park, the Bald Eagle can also be spotted perched together on dune tops, around Long and Campbells Ponds in Dalvay, Schooner Pond at Greenwich and around the Cavendish area.

Pairs mate for life, and produce two eggs each year, returning always to the same very large nest built of sticks.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

If you happen to be near a large pond or one of the many bays in PEI National Park, look to the skies for this handsome, predatory bird. With a wingspan of 1.5 to 1.8 metres, these birds are smaller than eagles but impressive nonetheless.

Osprey return yearly to large nests built near bodies of water where they can be seen diving from high above, feet first, on the hunt for unsuspecting fish. You will notice many specially built nesting platforms that were installed for Osprey throughout the Park. Found on PEI from spring to fall, these birds are also occasionally seen in the winter months as well.