Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area

Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area is a federally protected natural reserve covering approximately 532 hectares near Picton, Ontario, along the northeastern shore of Lake Ontario, established in 1978. The site is celebrated as one of Canada's premier birdwatching destinations, with over 330 species recorded and exceptional concentrations during spring and fall migration. Single-day counts of species such as long-tailed ducks, tree swallows, and dark-eyed juncos frequently reach tens of thousands of individuals. The Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, a Canadian Migration Monitoring Network station, conducts ongoing bird banding and research within the area. Visitors enjoy hiking the 1.2-kilometre Lighthouse Trail through forests, marshes, orchards, and coastline habitats, as well as wildlife photography, swimming, and wildlife observation. The diverse landscape and extraordinary avian diversity make it a must-visit for birders and nature lovers from across Ontario and beyond.