Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park offers both the novice and more experienced birder an opportunity to see and listen to
a variety of birds.  There are five main habitats to visit at the park; the mixed second growth forest of the picnic area
between Round and Lewis Lakes, which has both a dry habitat and a wet habitat, the lakes themselves, the shrubby
thickets alongside the St. Margaret’s Bay Trail and the creek and bog at the north end of Round Lake where the
stream exiting Round Lake flows north.  The trail map from Trails Nova Scotia is shown on the last page of this
brochure.
The mixed woodlands between the lakes provides some excellent woodland birding for Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed
Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Hermit Thrush, Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Winter
Wren, Brown Creeper, Pine Siskin, Boreal Chickadee, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, American Robin,
White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canada Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated
Green Warbler, Magnolia Warbler and Northern Parula.
Overhead above Round and Lewis Lakes keep your eyes open for the Osprey, our provincial bird, Broad-winged
Hawk, Northern Harrier and Belted Kingfisher.  On the lakes themselves you’ll find Common Loon, Double-crested
Cormorant, Common Merganser and American Black Duck.
After studying the lakes and woodland follow the path from Round Lake to the St. Margaret’s Bay Trail and search
the trailside thickets for Black-and-White Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Palm Warbler,
American Redstart, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple and American Goldfinch, Dark-
eyed Junco and Song Sparrow.
This list of birds is by no means complete but it would be a challenge for most birders to list even this bunch in a two
hour walk, so good luck and enjoy your visit to Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park.
In the bog area north of Round Lake you’ll see and hear Swamp Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Alder and Olive-
sided Flycatchers, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, Northern Waterthrush and Common Yellowthroat.  Look out
for the beaver dam.
Twenty-two neotropical  warblers regularly nest in Nova Scotia.  All of these warblers can be seen at Jerry Lawrence
PP during migration especially in late May and early June.  At least seventeen of these warbler species nest or have
nested in this jewel of a park.  Fourteen species are reliable annual nesters and can be seen or heard in June on a two
hour walk around the park's circle road and along the St. Margaret’s Bay Trail.  Three others are harder to find and
may not nest in this area every year. This is a special place for these beloved little birds and well worth a visit.
The best way to experience these birds is to study and learn their songs before venturing out or bring along an
experienced birder since many species are heard long before they are seen.  Bird song tapes are helpful but the best
way to learn song is to watch the bird as it sings. Remember to bring insect repellent and water along with your
birding friends.
The park is open May 18 to Oct 8, from 8AM to dusk but it is always a good idea to check with Parks Nova Scotia
as operating hours and dates often change.  You can also park at the park gates and walk into the park which adds
about two kilometres to the round trip walk.  Another option is to park at the Head of the St. Margaret's Bay Trail off
Highway #3 and walk the trail until you come to the first lake on your left, Round Lake. The trail to the park leads in
near here but it is not marked.
*Cover photo is adult male Yellow Warbler
The Warblers of Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park
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