Long Point

Long Point is a sandspit built by lake currents running about forty kilometres into Lake Erie, one of the largest freshwater sandspits in the world and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1986. The wetlands behind it are a major waterfowl staging area and the point funnels migrating songbirds, which is why the Long Point Bird Observatory was founded here in 1960, the oldest bird observatory in the Americas and the birthplace of the migration monitoring methods now used across the continent. Much of the point is a national wildlife area with restricted access, and a private hunt club has held part of it since 1866.

Highlights

• The forty-kilometre spit - one of the largest freshwater sandspits anywhere.
• The bird observatory - the oldest in the Americas, banding since 1960.
• The migration funnel - songbirds and waterfowl concentrating on the point.
• The marshes - extensive wetland behind the spit.

When to go

April and May for spring migration, September and October for autumn; these are the peaks and when the observatory is most active. Summer has the provincial park beach.

Good to know

Much of the point is closed to public access, held by a hunt club and a national wildlife area. Observatory access depends on the programme. The provincial park beach is the main open section.

Nearby

Simcoe lies north; Pelee Island is west along the lake.