Birdwatching
Bald Eagle
Puffins
Common Murres
With over 350 species of birds, there's no question Newfoundland and Labrador is a major destination for birdwatching. Whether it's by land or sea, you can get up close and personal to millions of seabirds, rare birds, and birds of prey. Between the boat tours and kayaking tours, the ecological reserves and the many hiking trails, there's a bird around every turn.
Seabird Capital of North America
Over 29,000 kilometres of coastline - no wonder our 35 million seabirds love this place. Witness the chaotic gatherings of 25,000 gannets, 500,000 puffins, and 7 million storm-petrels, just to name a few. Or try standing a mere 20 metres from Bird Rock at the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve. May we suggest you bring an umbrella.
Birds of Prey
Smart. Quick. And plentiful. Hawks, falcons, ospreys, and owls patrol these parts. And share their nesting grounds with over 800 American bald eagles - making this place one of the largest populations on the continent.
Rare Birds
Many non-native birds find themselves here, so sightings in this climate zone are not uncommon. Every year, we welcome a few European travellers like the European golden plover and the Northern wheatear. And endangered species like the harlequin duck or the piping plover have also been known to make the odd appearance too.
Best Ways to Watch Birds
Boat tours are one of the best ways to watch seabirds around places such as the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
. In addition, there are a number of top bird gathering spots across Newfoundland and Labrador that are ‘must-sees', and also very accessible by land. Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve and Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site are two great examples.
Birding Hot Spots
Avalon Region – Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
| What's There | Atlantic puffin, black guillemot, black-legged kittiwake, common murre, great black-backed gull, herring gull, Leach's storm petrel, northern fulmar, razorbill, thick-billed murre. |
|---|---|
| Best Times | May-September |
| How To Get There | Tour boats from Bay Bulls, Witless Bay, Tors Cove, Bauline East, Mobile – all on Route 10. In U23 on Traveller's Map. |
| Comments | World-class seabird viewing. Largest breeding colony of Atlantic puffin in North America – 260,000 pairs. Birds nest on 4 islands in the reserve. Viewing from boats — no landing on islands. Humpback and minke whales; icebergs probable in spring. |
Avalon Region - Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve
| What's There | Black guillemot, black-legged kittiwake, common murre, double-crested cormorant, great cormorant, harlequin duck, northern fulmar, northern gannet, razorbill, thick-billed murre |
|---|---|
| Best Times | May-September; Winter for harlequin duck |
| How To Get There | Paved, but narrow, 11-km access road from Route 100 just east of St. Bride's. In W 18-19 on Traveller's Map. |
| Comments | World-class seabird viewing. Most accessible seabird colony in the province. Birds nest atop a sea stack only 50 feet from clifftop lookout. Southernmost breeding site for thick-billed murre. Best land-based viewing for black guillemot, northern fulmar, razorbill, thick-billed murre. Good whale watching area. |
Avalon Region - St. John's
| What's There | Gulls, up to 18 species, including Iceland gull, ivory gull, great black-backed gull, ring-billed gull, common mew gull, yellow-legged gull, plus numerous overwintering birds of other species. |
|---|---|
| Best Times | January-February |
| How To Get There | By air via major Canadian centres, or via Newark, NJ, from the United States |
| Comments | Probably the best winter gull watching in North America. Top places include Quidi Vidi Lake near downtown where gulls relax on the ice-covered lake. |
Eastern Region - Bonavista, Maberley and Elliston
| What's There | Atlantic puffin, black-legged kittiwake, other seabirds, boreal birds |
|---|---|
| Best Times | May-August |
| How To Get There | Bonavista is at the northern end of Route 230; Maberley and Elliston are on Route 238, southeast of Bonavista. In O22 on Traveller's Map. |
| Comments | Puffins can be seen from land at Elliston – inquire at Puffin booth – and at Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site. Fee-based guided tours are available through Natural Wonders in Elliston. Whales and icebergs in season. |
Central Region - Terra Nova National Park
| What's There | Bald eagle; black-backed woodpecker, boreal chickadee, grey jay, lincoln's sparrow, northern goshawk, ovenbird, palm warbler, pine grosbeak, red crossbill, spruce grouse, white-winged crossbill; shorebirds, gulls, terns, ducks |
|---|---|
| Best Times | May-October |
| How To Get There | On Routes 1 and 310 between Port Blandford and Glovertown. In OP 18-19 on Traveller's Map. |
| Comments | Bald eagles can be seen year round, but are best seen from Ocean Watch boat tour (fee charged) in summer when they take fish from the waters of Newman Sound. Good trail system provides access to boreal species. Shorebirds can be seen at the southern end of the causeway connecting Traytown and Cull's Harbour. Red crossbill and ovenbird are local subspecies with restricted ranges. |
Western Region - Codroy Valley Estuary
| What's There | American black duck, American wigeon, blue-winged teal, Canada goose, common goldeneye, common merganser, great blue heron, greater scaup, green-winged teal, lesser scaup, ovenbird, piping plover, pintail, red crossbill, ruby-throated hummingbird |
|---|---|
| Best Times | May-November |
| How To Get There | On Route 406, 3 km from Route 1. In R2 on Traveller's Map. |
| Comments | Major international wetlands area. The Grand Codroy Estuary is an important stopover for migratory and nesting waterfowl, and one of the few nesting areas for the endangered piping plover. A trail throughout the estuary provides access, and there is an interpretation centre in Upper Ferry. Flocks of up to 3,000 Canada Geese can be seen in fall. |
Icebergs, Whales and Birds – the Triple Play!
For tourists keen on viewing whales and seabirds, it should be noted that they migrate north in the late spring and early summer - and can often be plentiful through to early fall. The opposing southerly iceberg migration allows for brief intervals where all three may happily coexist. This spectacle is not entirely uncommon but should not necessarily be expected by sightseers even when travelling at the optimal time of year. Many factors affecting timing, location, and populations naturally vary from year to year, so it's hard to be accurate.
Helpful Links
Birding Newfoundland with Dave Brown
Google Groups - Bird lovers in Newfoundland & Labrador
| Returned Results: 31 (Viewing 1 - 20) | Advanced Search |
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TrinityTours aboard 46foot motorsailer to see whales, icebergs, birds, coastal scenery and abandoned fishing villages. Craft shop with locally made quality handcarts. Restaurant features seafood, traditional meals, stake, chicken and more.
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Terra Nova National Park of CanadaAn amazing and unique boat tour, view whales, icebergs, plankton, cod, eagles and more!
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Bauline EastVisit the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve aboard our 40ft Vessel. Grey Island only 5 minutes away, Puffins guaranteed. Whales and Icebergs in season. The highlight for many visitors to the area.+1 (709) 334 3773
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Cape BroyleExplore miles of incredible scenic coastline along the world famous East Coast Trail. Guided interpretive 4-hour, day & multi-day hiking adventures offer spectacular scenery including whales, icebergs & puffins, meals, inn, van.
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St. John'sEmbark from Pier 7 St. John's harbour. Visit picturesque Quidi Vidi Village, sail to Cape Spear - the most easterly point of land in North America - along the rugged coastal shorelines of Blackhead, Deadman's and Freshwater Bay.
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DildoIcebergs, whales, nesting eagles, seabirds, historic Dildo Island. Mussel, lobster and wine and cheese cruises.+1 (709) 582 2988
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RameaPaddle pristine waters, fjord-like bays, white sand beaches and see puffins, bald eagles and more!
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Witless BayThere's only one way to get up close and personal to Whales, Icebergs, and the largest Atlantic Puffin Colony in North America, That's with Ecotours, a Zodiac adventure that will tickle your senses and ignite your imagination!
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Joe Batt's ArmDaily Boat Tours to historic and world famous Brimstone Head. Whale watching, Iceberg Viewing when bergs are in the bay, Trips to puffin breeding grounds on Little Fogo Island, Weather permitting.
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Bay BullsBEST WHALE & PUFFIN TOUR! Best whale sighting record. Puffins guaranteed. New catamaran (whale & passenger friendly, designed to minimize seasickness) it's the largest, most stable & most comfortable vessel in Newfoundland.
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Red BayWe offer boat charters and tours, iceberg viewing, seal, whale and seabird watching in its natural habitat, or come & enjoy the ride and the beauty.+1 (709) 920 2058
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St. John'sDepart from historic St. John's harbourfront to view the City of Legends as explorers did centuries ago. Puffins, whales, and icebergs await you as you sail through the Narrows.
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TwillingateJoin us in Twillingate, Iceberg Capital of the World to view majestic icebergs, mighty humpbacks, and the colourful Atlantic Puffins that call these shores home. Step aboard... Experience the Wonder!
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Bonavista2 - 2 1/2 hour tour along the coast at Cape Bonavista and the headlands of Lancaster (Spillars)
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Province - WideProvince- WideExperience nature/eco tours with icebergs, whales, birds, caribou & hiking. Japanese/Asian/English speaking guides available.
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Bay BullsExperience the natural wonders of land and sea aboard our 46-ft tour boat. Catch the excitement of humpbacks, breath taking scenery, icebergs and sea birds. Come, let us amaze you!
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SilverdaleOcean adventures in scenic Green Bay, see icebergs, whales, historic sites and resettled communities
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St. AnthonyJoin our award winning 2.5 hour tour. Best sightings of icebergs, humpbacks & dolphins in NL. View caves and seabird colonies. Certified vessel with heated cabin, music, washroom & onboard biologist.
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Bay BullsMost experienced boat tour company in NL. See puffins, whales ad icebergs. Fun & informative tours. Visit our marine interpretation centre and touch tank. Also, restaurant, craft store & shuttle service.
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Terra Nova National Park of CanadaExplore Terra Nova National Park with Zodiac Boat tours, Kayak and Snorkeling Tours and equipment and Bike rentals.
| Returned Results: 17 (Viewing 1 - 17) | Advanced Search |
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Avalon Wilderness ReserveThis 1,070 sq km reserve comprises one of North America's most southerly, unspoiled barrens. It is a sanctuary for a medley of wildlife and plant species. The caribou herd is Canada's most southerly, containing some of the world's largest caribou.
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Bay de VerdeEleven seabird species breed on this island, including 3,000,000 pairs of Leach's Storm Petrel, the largest colony in the world. Visit the Baccalieu Island exhibit in the Bay de Verde Heritage Premises. Access to view the seabirds can be done only by boat.
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Bay du Nord Wilderness ReserveRoadless 2,895 sq km wilderness in south-eastern Newfoundland. Wildlife populations and plant communities thrive with little or no disturbances from humans. Access via hiking trails & canoe route.
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RaleighUnique and rare flora along a coastline with fantastic limestone karst topography. The only known location in the world for the Burnt Cape Cinquefoil. Guided tours available daily.
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Cape St. Mary's Ecological ReserveThe most accessible seabird colony in North America. The vantage point overlooks a magnificent sea stack and offers an opportunity to photograph the seabirds, including the second largest nesting colony of gannets in Newfoundland, and the third largest in North America. Interpretation Centre, guided & interpretive hikes.
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FortuneThe rocks in the superbly exposed low cliffs represent the geological boundary between the Precambrian and Cambrian geological eras. Additionally, the fossils here represent the first skeletal creatures from 540 million years ago.
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FortuneLocated at 49-51 Bunkerhill Road which is adjacent to St. Pierre ferry terminal - directly on waterfront.
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Funk Island Ecological ReserveFunk Island Ecological Reserve, is home to more than one million common murres, numbers that make it the largest colony of common murre in the western North Atlantic.
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Salmonier LineHawke Hill Ecological Reserve protects a variety of arctic-alpine plants that are rarely encountered in North America this far east and south. The area can, in fact, be called the most easterly alpine barrens in North America.
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King George IV Ecological ReserveA rich delta, part of the Lloyd's River System. One of the largest undisturbed river delta sites on the island. An important migratory stop for birds.
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RoundaboutProtects breeding seabirds on three islands, only breeding colony of Manx Shearwater in North America.
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Portugal Cove SouthThe reserve contains the oldest and largest known fossils of complex, multicellular organisms from 579-560 million years ago. Access by guided tour only, 1pm daily from the Edge of Avalon Interpretive Centre. Tour is 3-4 hours and includes a 6 km return hike to the fossil site.
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Labrador CityThe only known natural stands of jack pine in the province, and the most easterly occurrence of this tree species in North America.
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BellburnsThis unique rock locality of international importance contains excellent examples of limestone approximately 470 million years old.
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Eddies CoveThese calcareous barrens are unique, supporting many species of plants not found elsewhere in Newfoundland. Many of the plant species are rare and endangered. Requires a hike from access road.
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SpringdaleThis 10.74 sq km Red Pine site is situated at the headwaters of West Brook. Red Pine is presently the rarest indigenous coniferous tree species in Newfoundland.
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Witless BayComprised of four small islands, this reserve is one of nature's greatest wonders anywhere on earth. In summer it is home to millions of seabirds that come to shore to nest and raise their young on the four islands. Whales swim here, especially humpback and minkes. Best seen from a tour boat operating from nearby communities.
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