GENERAL INFORMATION

     Name:            Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary 
     County:          Cumberland County
     Ownership:       Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada
     Trail Length:    2.5 km
     Season:          Year Round


EMERGENCY INFORMATION

     Emergency:       911
     Special:         The nearest phone is in the Wandlynn Inn on Southampton Road,
                      close to the exit onto highway 104.


DIRECTIONS

Take exit #3 off highway 104.  Turn left onto the Southampton Road (from Truro, or 
right from New Brunswick) and drive towards Nappan.
 
A blue Migratory Bird Sanctuary sign marks the entrance 3 km past the Wandlyn Inn.  
The boundary of the sanctuary is marked with signs depicting a "loon".


ACTIVITIES

     Walking:             Y        Hiking:         Y
     Mountain Biking:     N        XCountry Ski:   Y
     ATV:                 N        Horse:          N
     Snowmobile:          N        Coastal:        N
     Loop:                Y        Wheelchair:     N
     Wheelchair Assisted: N  


DESCRIPTION

Amherst Point Bird Sanctuary is a 2.5 km interpretive hike around Laytons Lake.  
The first half of the loop is mostly open trail with a forest of fir, aspen, 
yellow birch, spruce, white birch and red maple aging at least 300 years old.      

The trail consists of gently sloping hills that venture in and out of the forest 
to open fields. The last part of the trail offers a hillside view of Laytons 
Lake and a great picnicking spot. A popular spot for bird watching, keep an eye 
out for hawks, owls, shore and song birds.  There are normally more than 125 
species of birds here each year.  

The sanctuary is also a habitat for animals such as the red squirrel, snowshoe 
hare and muskrat. Although there aren't many facilities at the sanctuary, nearby 
there are gas stations, restaurants and the Wandlynn Inn. The town of Amherst is 
also nearby on the other side of the Trans Canada Highway (104).