Cape Chignecto Provincial Park Adventure Day 29, July 27

July 28, 2021

Chignecto National Wildlife Area

Notice

Chignecto National Wildlife Area trails and parking lot are open to the public for day-use only.

Respect the environment and leave no trace.

Remember, you are responsible for your own safety.

We are committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians, visitors and employees. Social and physical distancing restrictions will remain in place until further notice from local and regional health authorities.

For more information, please consult our Q&A page.

Chignecto NWA is located in Nova Scotia. The NWA contains diverse habitats and supports a wide array of wildlife species. 228 bird species have been recorded within the NWA in recent years.

Aerial view of Chignecto NWA showing wetlands, forest, and grassy areas. Photo: C. MacKinnon

Chignecto NWA is home to a variety of species. Various marsh birds such as sora and Virginia railare common. Some of the highest nesting densities of pied-billed grebe in North America have been recorded in the NWA. People have recorded a total of 228 birdspecies within the NWA in recent years. Over 100 species breed within the NWA. In addition, one can find a sugar maple tree with a circumference of over 4 meters in the NWA. People have estimated that this tree is over 250 years old.

The Amherst Point section consists of 412 ha which has both NWA and Migratory Bird Sanctuary (MBS) status. Ducks Unlimited Canada has improved a large portion of the Migratory Birds Sanctuary's wetlands. They improved the wetlands through the construction of dykes and control structures.

Chignecto NWA provides habitat for a wide variety of mammals including, among others, the:

masked shrew
Northern flying squirrel
star-nosed mole
red fox
snowshoe hare
woodchuck

Find more information on Chignecto NWA in the summary table below.

Photo of Pied-billed Grebe — Two pied-billed grebes swimming in water. Photo: © Scott Leslie

Management

Under the Canada Wildlife Act, NWAs are protected and managed in accordance with the Wildlife Area Regulations. The primary purpose of NWAs is to protect and conserve wildlife and their habitat. For this purpose and according to the legislation, all activities in a NWA that could interfere with the conservation of wildlife can be prohibited. Consequently, most NWAs are not accessible to the public and all activities are prohibited. However, some activities may be authorized through public notice or the issuance of permits as long as they are consistent with the management plan goals for the NWA. For more information, consult the NWAs Management and Activities section.

Planning your visit

There is a small network of trails which provides access to the Chignecto NWA. You can enjoy hiking, wildlife observation, as well as some lovely photo opportunities in the NWA.

Note: Hunting is not permitted within the NWA, however trapping is allowed, subject to provincial regulations.

Public facilities: Parking lot and walking trails

Access to the NWA is permitted in accordance with the conservation objectives of the NWA management plan. For more information on what is permitted in NWAs, consult the NWA Management and Activities page.

Directions

From the town of Amherst, Nova Scotia, take Southampton Road southeast until the road turns southwest. This is part of the Bay of Fundy Eco-Tour route. You can access a small parking lot on the north side of Southampton Road.
GPS: 45.783421, -64.259447

You can find more information on access and permitting for Chignecto NWA, by contacting the Environment and Climate Change Canada regional office.

Map of the area

Map John Lusby Marsh and Chignecto NWA boundaries

There was some huffing an puffing on our visit, gorgeous scenery, very few birds, but lots of mushrooms, lichens, fungi and mosses.

Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2701 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2702 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2703 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2704 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2705 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2706 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2707 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2708 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2709 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2710 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2711 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2712 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2713 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2714 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2715 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2716 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2717 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2718 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2719 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2720 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2721 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2722 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2723 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2724 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2725 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2726 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2727 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2728 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2729 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2730 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2731 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2732 s Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2733

Dead Man's Fingers

Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2734 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2735 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2736 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2737 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2738 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2739 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2740 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2741

Blue Bead Lily

Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2743 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2744 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2745 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2746 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2747

2740 2740

Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2748 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2749 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2750 Chignecto National Wildlife Area 2751