Long Point, Prince Edward County: Secrets You Should See

A trip out to Long point and a few stops to make

The Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area is known to us locals who have lived here all our lives as Point Traverse.

Swimming, Fishing, and checking out the Little Bluff conservation area were the main attractions of this part of Prince Edward County for many years.

Now the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory or PEPtBO is one of the main attractions out that way and of course Little Bluff still is also.

Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory

About The Birds at Prince Edward Point

The Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory is the only area on the Canadian side of Lake Ontario where birds are in very high concentrations during migration.

I would always make a few trips out in the fall to see all the geese, ducks, and now swans. Warning: the fall months can be quite windy.

There a greater than 300 varieties of birds on the point, including songbirds, waterfowl, owls and hawks.

Fact – In 1998, Prince Edward Point was assigned as part of the Prince Edward County South Shore Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.

There are thirty-one species considered to be endangered and are noted under the government Species in danger Act (SARA) have actually been seen in this Wildlife Area.

Those birds at risk but can be found are the Whip-poor-will, Red-headed Woodpecker and Least Bittern.

About Other Animals

Along with birds, Prince Edward Point is has many migrating bats, Monarch butterflies, snakes, and frogs.

It’s usually not that busy out at Prince Edward Point, but it’s an attractive area to visit for the day. We used to take our barbecue out, swim, or take the canoe out for fishing and sightseeing.

What to do…

There are some hiking trails to explore and many private picnic areas.
Prince Edward Point is a long way out (20 km) from Picton, so it’s nice to see there are public restrooms now. There never used to be.
Free parking, dock/wharf, as well as a boat launch (day use only).
I was out at Long Point for a wedding some years ago, but to arrange certain activities like that, I’d suggest contacting them HERE.
Bring your camera! Bird watching 101.
They do warn you that some parts of the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area could be closed during migration season. Plan ahead if you’re going to bird watch.
Fishing – I have caught some really nice Bass from my canoe just offshore about 15 feet. Hint: fish in the deep cracks between the rocks.
Swimming from the gravel beach. The gravel turns into big flat rocks in most areas. Some sections of the beach you can walk way out into the water, and it’s only 5 feet deep.