Newfoundland & Nova Scotia: Extreme Tides, Seabirds & Whales *FULL*

Join us to explore Atlantic Canada with its Gaelic ancestry, from the tundra-like barrens and wind-swept shores of Newfoundland to the lush river valleys and temperate and boreal forests of Nova Scotia. The area has a plethora of natural wonders to experience, starting with the Bay of Fundy, which experiences the largest tidal range in the world at up to 53 feet. Visiting the Bay six hours apart will allow us to see the high tide as well as all the tidal flats exposed at low tide. The Bay of Fundy is also one of the few places where a tidal bore can be seen, where the leading edge of the incoming tide forms a wave.  

Birding this subarctic region brings two unique encounters: thousands upon thousands of breeding seabirds as well as the potential to see 20+ species of warblers. The temperate forests of Nova Scotia have warblers such as Black-throated Blue, Palm, and American Redstart, while boreal forests have the potential for Mourning, Magnolia, and Blackburnian. Newfoundland’s breeding seabird colonies have astounding numbers with our Witless Bay boating trip exploring islands with over 300,000 Atlantic Puffins, the largest in the western Atlantic, and over 400,000 other Alcids: Common and Thick-billed Murres, Razorbills, and Black Guillemot. Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve has the second largest breeding colony in the world of Northern Gannets with over 20,000 nesting on a 300-foot sandstone stack that is separated from the viewing area by only 10 or so feet, as well as Black-legged Kittiwakes and Great Cormorants.

The region’s subarctic habitat brings chances of Spruce Grouse, Boreal Chickadees, White-winged Crossbills, and Willow Ptarmigan, while Newfoundland’s position as the easternmost part of North America (excluding Greenland) attracts many vagrants to the area, such as recent visitors like Pink-footed Goose, Tufted Duck, and others. We will embark on pelagic birding from the Nova Scotia to Newfoundland overnight ferry crossing with opportunities for Manx, Great, and Sooty Shearwaters, jaegers, Red Phalarope, Leach’s and Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, and Northern Fulmar.   

Interesting mammals are also present with Moose in both Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Caribou in Newfoundland. Whale sightings are possible during our time on the water, with Humpback, Fin, and Minke and also found where deep waters are close to shore.

And if we are really lucky, we may spot an iceberg in the waters off Newfoundland that has calved from the west coast of Greenland.

Please join us for this incredible adventure!