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
Related Offers:
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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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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TrinityExperienced staff make your play time with 'Our Whales' an adventure that you will remember.
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CarbonearScenic Boat Tours of Conception Bay with visits to Carbonear and Harbour Grace Islands.
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CartwrightKayaking, open boat, crafting, hiking/walking/family vacations, women adventure tours, photo tours, saltwater trout fishing. Craft workshops. Custom and scheduled tours, or just drop by.
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Cape BroyleThe coastal adventure of a lifetime! Whales, icebergs, puffins, sea caves, and waterfalls. Experience all of this within a safe fun and easy tour. Offering adventure experiences since 1970!
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Twillingate IslandLet Captain Dave, a coast guard certified skipper and commercial fisherman, give you a fishing experience to remember.
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SilverdaleOcean adventures in scenic Green Bay, see icebergs, whales, historic sites and resettled communities
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Victoria RiverIsland wide touring, whale watching, sightseeing, wilderness tours and hiking, birdwatching, cultural and city tours.
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Main BrookChosen by Outdoor Magazine as one of the six best places for experiencing Canada's outdoors. Come see whales, icebergs & wildlife. Experience sea kayaking, snowmobiling or women only adventures. 2002 recipient of Environmental Award for Sustainable Tourism.
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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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Bay BullsMost experienced boat tour company in NL. See puffins, whales and icebergs. Fun & informative tours. Visit our marine interpretation centre and touch tank. Also, restaurant, gift store & shuttle service.
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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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LewisporteCruise to Exploits Island and the Notre Dame Bay archipelago aboard the Beothuk Explorer catamaran (TC Certified). Experience birds colonies, whales, icebergs, extinct Beothuk anthropological sites with a trained biologists.+1 (709) 535 2626
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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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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'sLeading escorted tour and day trip provider. Use our links to learn about Newfoundland and Labrador and St. Pierre. We specialize in tours, expeditions, and cruises services.
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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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Joe Batt's ArmHeritage Tours to Great Auk and around Joe Batt's arm Harbour. Cod and Mackerel Jigging in season, and whale watching.+1 (709) 266 7717
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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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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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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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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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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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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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BellburnsThis unique limestone fossil locality of international imporance contains examples of middle ordovician fossila approximately 470 million years old.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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RoundaboutProtects breeding seabirds on three islands, only breeding colony of Manx Shearwater in North America.
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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.
