Birdwatching
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
Location data provided by the operator. Please confirm location before departure.
Also see offshore area disclaimer.
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
Stay at St. Christopher's Hotel before embarking on an unforgettable journey of a bold and beautiful coastline, mountains and sandy beaches. Pirates Haven Chalets awaits with a bounty of seafood, enjoy an evening of tranquility in an outdoor hot tub. Journey to the Top of Table Mountains. St. Christopher's welcomes your return with Surf n' Turf supper and evening of relaxation.
- Port aux Basques
- (709) 695-3500
- (709) 695-3500
- spittman@stchrishotel.com
- www.stchrishotel.com
Great host and the best whale spotting record.
Join Gatherall's for an unforgettable voyage to one of nature's most unique ocean playgrounds and leave the driving to us - package includes transportation from/to St. John's hotels. Gatherall's catamaran is the largest and most comfortable tour boat in NL. Transport Canada Certified.
- Bay Bulls
- +1 (709) 334 2887
- +1 (800) 419 4253
- mgwhales@nf.aibn.com
- www.gatheralls.com
* Offers are subject to availability. Taxes are extra. You may have to pre-book and/or mention
the promotion at the time of booking. Please check with the operator for more details.
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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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Cox's CoveTraditional Newfoundland dory tours. Enjoy ocean fishing, whale watching, sightseeing, mussel and crab boil ups. Catch your own supper! Guided snowmobile tours to North Arm Hills and Lomond Sinkhole.
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TrinityTours aboard 46-foot 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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New BonaventureBy Sea explore the shores and discover the abandoned communities along the Discovery Trail. See Random Passage Site, water falls, sea birds, eagles and possible sightings of whales and icebergs.
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Bay BullsBEST WHALE & PUFFIN TOUR! Best whale sighting record. Puffins guaranteed. Gatherall's catamaran is the largest, most stable and most comfortable vessel in Newfoundland.
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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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CarbonearScenic Boat Tours of Conception Bay with visits to Carbonear and Harbour Grace Islands.
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TwillingateSee icebergs, whales, seabirds, on 55-foot MV Daybreak. 2-hour guided cruise, experienced guides, complimentary coffee and Beverages. Washroom & heated cabin.
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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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MobileOne hour tours for smaller groups of people, making your whale and puffin watching excursion a more relaxed and personal experience. Join us as we explore the wonders of Nature!
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TwillingateSee icebergs, whales, birds, dolphins and seals in season aboard MV Iceberg Alley, specifically designed fiberglass touring boat. Over 2,500 iceberg cruises. Book tours at The Iceberg Craft Shop. Follow the Iceberg Man.
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Victoria RiverIsland wide touring, whale watching, sightseeing, wilderness tours and hiking, birdwatching, cultural and city tours.
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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!+1 (709) 334 2722
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TrinityExperienced staff make your play time with 'Our Whales' an adventure that you will remember.
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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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TrinitySpecializing in Marine Wildlife Adventures tours by Zodiac-style Boat (RHIB) and Guided Sea Kayak. See whales, icebergs, puffins and more! SCUBA dive for shipwrecks/marine wildlife too!
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St. Lunaire2 hour tours to Icebergs, whales, birds, caves. Experience a unique history lessons in our way of life - Past and present! Transport Canada Approved+1 (709) 623 2112
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St. John'sNewfoundland's award winning boat tour. North America's largest humpback population. Iconic puffins. Breathtaking icebergs. Cabot Tower. Signal Hill. Cape Spear. Walking distance from hotels & B&B's.
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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.
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DildoView icebergs, see playfull whales and dolphins, bald eagles and numerous seabirds. Cultural and historic interpertations of Dildo and area.+1 (709) 582 2988
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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 development of skeletal creatures approximately 540 million years ago.
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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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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.
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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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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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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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GlovertownWheelchair accessible walking trails surrounding Southwest Steady. Panoramic views of the community. Four bridges along the way. Rest stops. Wetland park where wildlife can be observed.
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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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BellburnsThis unique limestone fossil locality of international imporance contains examples of middle ordovician fossila approximately 470 million years old.
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Bay de VerdeEleven seabird species breed on this island, including over 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 and canoe route.
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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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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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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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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.
Watch Chris explain the word duckish. Here’s a hint: it has nothing to do with ducks. Or maybe it does?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YN0u8DjBIk&feature=youtu.be
