The Hawk, Nova Scotia

The Hawk
Location of The Hawk, Nova Scotia
Coordinates: 43°25′04″N 65°37′16″W / 43.417778°N 65.621111°W / 43.417778; -65.621111[1]
Country Canada
Province Nova Scotia
CountyShelburne
Municipal districtBarrington
Time zoneUTC-4 (AST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-3 (ADT)
Area code902
Access RoutesHawk Point Road
via Route 330

The Hawk is a community on Cape Sable Island in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Municipality of the District of Barrington of Shelburne County.[2] It is the most southerly community in Nova Scotia, as well as the most southerly anywhere in Canada outside of Ontario.

History

The Hawk is said to be named for a shipwreck that washed ashore there during the early days of settlement, and the name "Hawk inlet" was used as early as 1819.[3]

A schoolhouse was built at The Hawk in 1875, with new schools built in 1890 and 1951. A lighthouse was built at The Hawk in 1861.[3]

The Hawk had a population of 243 people in 1956.[3]

The Hawk Beach

The beach at The Hawk is located within the Cape Sable Important Bird Area. Visible from the beach is the 101-foot-tall Cape Sable Lighthouse.[4]

The beach is known for its birdwatching opportunities, particularly for birds such as the common eider, oldsquaw, scoter sea ducks, phalaropes, and terns. The area is also a nesting spot for piping plovers.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Nova Scotia Geographical Names: The Hawk
  2. ^ Government of Nova Scotia website: Community Counts
  3. ^ a b c Fergusson, C. Bruce (1967). Place-Names and Places of Nova Scotia. Halifax, N.S.: Public Archives of Nova Scotia. p. 670. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  4. ^ "The Hawk Beach". Tourism Nova Scotia. Halifax, N.S.: Government of Nova Scotia. 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  5. ^ Causley, Robert (2012). Nova Scotia & PEI Backroad Mapbook. Vancouver: Mussio Ventures. p. 174. ISBN 978-1-9268-0634-1. Retrieved 30 September 2025 – via Google Books.

43°25′04″N 65°37′16″W / 43.41778°N 65.62111°W / 43.41778; -65.62111 (The Hawk, Nova Scotia)