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Cape St. Mary's facts for kids

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Cape St. Mary's
CapeStMarysLight.jpg
Cape St. Mary's Lighthouse
Location Cape St. Mary's
Avalon Peninsula
Newfoundland
Canada
Coordinates 46°49′23.0″N 54°11′45.9″W / 46.823056°N 54.196083°W / 46.823056; -54.196083
Year first constructed 1860
Foundation concrete base
Construction cast iron encased in concrete tower
Tower shape octagonal frustum tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern white tower, grey metallic lantern
Height 11.5 metres (38 ft)
Focal height 119 metres (390 ft)
Range 21 nautical miles (39 km; 24 mi)
Characteristic Fl W 5s.
Fog signal 1 blast every 30s.
Admiralty number H0432
CHS number CCG 14
NGA number 1952
ARLHS number CAN-721

Cape St. Mary's is a famous piece of land in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It sits at the very southern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. This cape is well-known for its stunning cliffs and amazing wildlife.

What Makes Cape St. Mary's Special?

Cape St. Mary's is one of the most famous capes in its province. Many people know about it because it has been mentioned in songs and stories. One popular folk song, "Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's," was written by Otto P. Kelland. This song shows how important the cape is to the local culture.

The Lighthouse at Cape St. Mary's

A lighthouse stands tall at Cape St. Mary's. It was built in 1860. The lighthouse helps ships find their way safely along the coast. It has a white tower and a grey top. The light shines every 5 seconds. It also has a fog signal that blasts every 30 seconds to warn ships in foggy weather.

How the Lighthouse Works

The lighthouse is 11.5 meters (about 38 feet) tall. Its light can be seen from 21 nautical miles away. Today, the lighthouse uses solar power to work. This means it gets its energy from the sun. The light sits 119 meters (about 390 feet) above the water.

Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve

East of Cape St. Mary's is the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve. This special area is a wildlife reserve. It protects many different kinds of birds and other animals. It is a very important place for nature.

Protecting the Reserve

The Friends of Cape St. Mary's is a group that helps the reserve. They are a non-profit organization. Their goal is to share the amazing nature and history of the ecological reserve with others. They help people learn about the birds and the beautiful scenery.

Bird Watching at the Reserve

The reserve is famous for its large colonies of seabirds. Thousands of birds gather here, especially during nesting season. You can see birds like gannets, murres, and kittiwakes. It is one of the best places in North America to watch seabirds. The cliffs provide a safe home for these birds.

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