Mary's Point Bird Sanctuary/Shepody National Wildlife area
Mary's Point Bird Sanctuary/Shepody National Wildlife area
Mary's Point Bird Sanctuary/Shepody National Wildlife area
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
17 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
6
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
BindiB
Dunsmore, England307 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Magnificent dunes, marshes and woods. We had the whole area to ourselves. A bit late for the shoreline birds but what a fantastic area. Hides could be better (covered with seating needed) but the area is well kept.
Written September 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan Q
Calgary, Canada387 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
Mary's Point, and the beach, is a short little easy hike - well, really a stroll from the parking lot.
The site is of historical interest because there used to be a stone quarry here. There is no evidence of the quarry, except for some huge stones and an interpretive marker. Back in the day, the stones were shipped all down the east coast of Canada and the U.S. and many sandstone buildings used the stones from here.
The beach itself is very pretty and if you catch it during low tide, you can walk for a long ways in a pristine area. Looking one way, you see the spectacular tidal waters. Looking the other, you look on to the gentle hills that form the countryside.
Since this is the Bay of Fundy, just be conscious of the tides, which are the highest in the world. If you walk on the beach and the tide comes in, you will get wet coming back! No sea shells to speak of, but lots of fabulous stones. Because this is a protected area, you have to leave them in place!
For bird watchers, this area is also a bird sanctuary, and it's fabulous at any time of year. If you visit during the sandpiper migration - usually mid-July to mid-August - you can see hundreds of thousands of sandpipers as they stop to feed here on their way from the Arctic to South America. It's hard to describe, but it's really magic. During the sandpiper migration, the beach itself is roped off, so bring a camera and maybe your binoculars. It's roped off to keep the sandpipers undisturbed in their feeding.
Animals are to be kept of a leash at all times.
Whatever the weather, I find it a super peaceful place. There are also picnic benches and seats at the trail head.
The site is of historical interest because there used to be a stone quarry here. There is no evidence of the quarry, except for some huge stones and an interpretive marker. Back in the day, the stones were shipped all down the east coast of Canada and the U.S. and many sandstone buildings used the stones from here.
The beach itself is very pretty and if you catch it during low tide, you can walk for a long ways in a pristine area. Looking one way, you see the spectacular tidal waters. Looking the other, you look on to the gentle hills that form the countryside.
Since this is the Bay of Fundy, just be conscious of the tides, which are the highest in the world. If you walk on the beach and the tide comes in, you will get wet coming back! No sea shells to speak of, but lots of fabulous stones. Because this is a protected area, you have to leave them in place!
For bird watchers, this area is also a bird sanctuary, and it's fabulous at any time of year. If you visit during the sandpiper migration - usually mid-July to mid-August - you can see hundreds of thousands of sandpipers as they stop to feed here on their way from the Arctic to South America. It's hard to describe, but it's really magic. During the sandpiper migration, the beach itself is roped off, so bring a camera and maybe your binoculars. It's roped off to keep the sandpipers undisturbed in their feeding.
Animals are to be kept of a leash at all times.
Whatever the weather, I find it a super peaceful place. There are also picnic benches and seats at the trail head.
Written May 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mindy and Roger A
Janesville, WI565 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
We timed our stop to coordinate with "Low Tide". For a period of 2-3 hours before "Low Tide" until 2-3 hours after "Low Tide" you should be able to access what appear as isolated islands off Mary's Point. Actually they are not considered islands, instead an extension of Mary's Point.
We were able to access this location by parking at the Bird Sanctuary on Mary's Point Rd.. There is a fairly short, easy trail that starts by the bathrooms. The trail takes you to the base of Mary's Point. If it is "High Tide" you will see what appear as islands as you look out to the bay. Water separates you from accessing these higher areas. At "Low Tide" you are able to walk to these higher areas and the exposed sandy beach.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time walking along the beach. There are millions of small washed stones, some driftwood, and skeletons to checkout. There are also some isolated pools of water and wooded areas. We were also impressed by the vegetation that stabilized the sand and established wetlands for wildlife. Be certain to leave this area before tidal water cuts off your access to Mary's Point!
Mary's Point area provides an important stop-over for migrating Sandpipers as well as various other bird species. We were able to observe both upland & wetland birds during our time there. Take the time to sit and enjoy birds from the upland area looking across the wetlands toward the bay.
We were able to access this location by parking at the Bird Sanctuary on Mary's Point Rd.. There is a fairly short, easy trail that starts by the bathrooms. The trail takes you to the base of Mary's Point. If it is "High Tide" you will see what appear as islands as you look out to the bay. Water separates you from accessing these higher areas. At "Low Tide" you are able to walk to these higher areas and the exposed sandy beach.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time walking along the beach. There are millions of small washed stones, some driftwood, and skeletons to checkout. There are also some isolated pools of water and wooded areas. We were also impressed by the vegetation that stabilized the sand and established wetlands for wildlife. Be certain to leave this area before tidal water cuts off your access to Mary's Point!
Mary's Point area provides an important stop-over for migrating Sandpipers as well as various other bird species. We were able to observe both upland & wetland birds during our time there. Take the time to sit and enjoy birds from the upland area looking across the wetlands toward the bay.
Written September 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
heathkp1987
Winston Salem, NC90 contributions
Aug 2019
We stopped at Mary's Point in mid-August hoping to catch the migrating birds. While we did not see the massive flocks we had envisioned in our minds (and had been seen there the day before), there were still plenty on the shore that day and more were coming in as the tide was changing. Only a couple of people around, so very peaceful and relaxing to walk to and on the upper part of the beach and rocks (didn't go all the way to the water, since there were birds there). A very nice visitor center with helpful rangers, lots of information about the wildlife and birds, restrooms, and a telescope set up to view the birds out across the marsh and bay shore. Wish we could have spent more time.
Written August 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ceci S
New Brunswick, Canada28 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
New Brunswick boasts many hidden gems and this is one of the many reasons it shouldn't be viewed as the "drive through" province. This sanctuary is one of them - beauty, peace and well worth a visit. We aren't birders ourselves, but found it fascinating. Those who ARE birders will be amazed. Breathe deeply, sigh quietly and enjoy.
Written August 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie D
220 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
If you would like your own private beach in an idyllic setting, please take the trip out to Mary's Point. If you happen to be there in August, it is a must-see for anyone. The shorebirds flock to the beach by the thousands.
We went in late July. We didn't get to see the shorebirds, but we got to walk on the sandy beach and enjoyed getting our feet into the water. There was a grand total of six people there when we visited. It was nice. We could have stayed all day.
Just be SURE to wear your bug spray. The walk through the woods to the beach is pretty buggy, and they flies are relentless. A heavy duty bug spray took care of that and we weren't bothered at all.
If you want peace and quiet, take the time to go out to Mary's point for a few hours. You'll be glad you did. And, this is one of the few Fundy sights that doesn't have an admission charge.
Just as an aside: If your visit is during the bird migration (Mid-July through August), you will not be permitted on the beach 2 hours before or 2 hours after high tide. Factor that into your planning.
We went in late July. We didn't get to see the shorebirds, but we got to walk on the sandy beach and enjoyed getting our feet into the water. There was a grand total of six people there when we visited. It was nice. We could have stayed all day.
Just be SURE to wear your bug spray. The walk through the woods to the beach is pretty buggy, and they flies are relentless. A heavy duty bug spray took care of that and we weren't bothered at all.
If you want peace and quiet, take the time to go out to Mary's point for a few hours. You'll be glad you did. And, this is one of the few Fundy sights that doesn't have an admission charge.
Just as an aside: If your visit is during the bird migration (Mid-July through August), you will not be permitted on the beach 2 hours before or 2 hours after high tide. Factor that into your planning.
Written July 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Quinn L
Moncton, Canada125 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
We came here after reading a review online. Drove up the scenic roads to the parking lot, walked the tiny trail to the beach. The tide was out and there was NOBODY around, so we basically had a huge island to ourselves. Great beaches, and inland on the island there are lots of birds in a very natural setting. There are warm waterways that weave through the island here, good for swimming.
There really is a mix of everything here. You have a marsh on the island, forest, sandy beach, rocky beach, muddy beach, river, wetlands.
Not to be missed if you're in the area.
There really is a mix of everything here. You have a marsh on the island, forest, sandy beach, rocky beach, muddy beach, river, wetlands.
Not to be missed if you're in the area.
Written July 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_revrandy3795
Bradford, NH76 contributions
Jun 2018
During our visit to New Brunswick in late June 2018 we spent a delightful several hours hiking in this area when the tide was out. Although this was not the season for bird migrations, it was still thoroughly beautiful place to walk. (And yes, there were a few birds around.) They are building a visitors center, and that will be a great addition. When it's built, it will give you a great view of the area from the deck in back. This is well worth a few hours at low tide. (I have no idea what it would be like at high tide; I suspect a lot of the places we visited would be inaccessible, although I'm not sure about that.) I hope we can return someday during the bird migration season(s). I was told that being there for that is pretty amazing.
Written August 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dori M
Bangor, ME49 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
It was actually a short walk down to the shore. The day before we stopped the two employees said "we only saw about 50,000 birds yesterdaY." They explained that migrating birds come in like black clouds. I did not see this, but will be back. Optimal time between mid July andd Mid August.
Written August 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrsSweetPea
Ottawa96 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
We came here by chance after asking the information clerk at Riverside-Albert if there were any attractions which did not charge an admission fee.
Mary's Point is out of the way - for humans, but directly on the migration path of hundreds of thousands of seabirds each year. The tide was quite far out when we visited. The shoreline is beautiful and hosts zillions of microscopic life which serves to feed the birds which stop here to fatten up before their yearly migration. There is a quaint little museum with information about sea birds and local fauna. It is a short walk through an enchanting path to get to the water. We visited before the bird invasion, it was quiet and lovely. We enjoyed the picnic table where we could make our tea and put our feet up for a while.
Mary's Point is out of the way - for humans, but directly on the migration path of hundreds of thousands of seabirds each year. The tide was quite far out when we visited. The shoreline is beautiful and hosts zillions of microscopic life which serves to feed the birds which stop here to fatten up before their yearly migration. There is a quaint little museum with information about sea birds and local fauna. It is a short walk through an enchanting path to get to the water. We visited before the bird invasion, it was quiet and lovely. We enjoyed the picnic table where we could make our tea and put our feet up for a while.
Written July 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Ihor and others,
What a great review of mary's Point Bird Sanctuary. My wife and I visited Mary's Point abut 30 years ago on the advice of a Naturalist at Fundy National Park. It was about mid August, and we came at high tide to witness the spectacle of the Sandpipers and Plovers. It was like a National Geo moment. We are planning to come through the area this August en route to PEI, some time between August 15 and 19. Based on your knowledge and experience, do you think the Sandpipers and Plovers will still be there, or are they likely to have taken off by then?
Thank you so much.
Written June 24, 2018
captjpfm
Fort Myers, Florida
I am traveling there mid September will there be any birds to see?
Written July 29, 2017
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