Cape Freels facts for kids
Cape Freels is a special piece of land that sticks out into the ocean. It's called a headland. You can find it on the island of Newfoundland in Canada. There's also a small community there with the same name.
This Cape Freels is at the very northern end of a large area called Bonavista Bay. It's important not to mix it up with another place also called Cape Freels. That other one is far away, at the southern tip of Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula.
What's in a Name?
Cape Freels got its name a long, long time ago. As early as 1506, it was called Ilha de Freyluis. This name comes from the Portuguese words for "the island of Brother Lewis." It shows that explorers from Portugal were in this area centuries ago.
Ancient History of Cape Freels
The land around Cape Freels has been important for a very long time. It was once a camping spot for the Beothuk people. The Beothuk were the original Indigenous people of Newfoundland.
Scientists have found tools and other items left behind by the Beothuk. They use a method called radiocarbon dating to figure out how old these things are. This dating shows that the Beothuk used this site between the years AD 200 and AD 700. That's over 1,300 years ago!
Guiding Ships Safely
For ships sailing near Cape Freels, it was important to have a way to see the land, especially at night. To help with this, a special gas lamp was put up in 1924. It was placed on a small piece of land called Gull Island, right off Cape Freels. This light helped guide boats and keep them safe from dangerous rocks.
Home for Many Birds
Cape Freels is a very important place for birds. The area known as 'Cape Freels Coastline and Cabot Island' is recognized as an Important Bird Area. This means it's a critical spot for birds by an organization called BirdLife International.
Why is it so important? This area provides a safe place for many seabirds to build their nests and raise their young. Some of the birds that nest here include:
- Common Eider (a type of duck)
- Common murre (a diving seabird)
- Razorbill (another diving seabird, similar to a puffin)
- Common tern (a graceful seabird known for its flight)
- Arctic tern (famous for its incredibly long migration)
These birds rely on Cape Freels for food, shelter, and a safe place away from predators. Protecting this area helps these amazing seabirds thrive.
