Newfoundland, July 26 - August 2, 2009

Newfoundland is a remarkable destination for nature enthusiasts.  Canada’s easternmost land mass is a landscape of rugged sea cliffs, seemingly endless boreal forest, and a lively mosaic of northern plants an animals.  It’s the land of whales and puffins, showy lady-slippers and Bay-breasted Warblers.  Join me for an exploration of some of this great island’s top nature destinations on a trip sponsored by the Audubon Naturalist Society.  Our week-long trip visits Cape St. Mary’s, shown at left (those white dots are Northern Gannets), the Witless Bay Seabird Sanctuary (about a quarter million puffin nests), Terra Nova National Park, and other scenic and wildlife-rich locales.

Newfoundland’s seabird colonies are eastern North America’s most productive.  In addition to Atlantic Puffins and Northern Gannets, we’re likely to find Razorbills (right), Thick-billed Murres, Common Murres, and Black Guillemots.  From coastal cliffs or any of our three boat tours we may also see Storm-Petrels, Shearwaters, Northern Fulmars, and other seabirds.  Inland we’ll find the rich variety of nesting songbirds nurtured by the great boreal forest -- we’ll watch for northern warblers, vireos, flycatchers, finches and others, perhaps finding rare and secretive species such as Northern Hawk-Owl.

Newfoundland offers much more than birds.  We’ll see northern wildflowers, watch whale cavort in northern seas, search for bears, moose, and other mammals, delight in northern butterflies, and immerse ourselves in nature study.  We’ll also find time to learn about the rich cultural history of Newfoundland, the last part of Canada to join the confederation.  Cost of the journey is $3200, double occupancy from St. John’s, for members of the Audubon Naturalist Society.  For the full registration packet contact the ANS travel desk at (301) 652-9188 x11, or e-mail me with your address.

Notes: Quoted price anticipates continued strengthening of the Canadian dollar versus the US dollar.  If the US dollar recovers, the price of the trip will drop.  Some participants have expressed an interest in extending the trip with a visit to Gros Morne and other sites in western Newfoundland.  If you are interested, drop me a note by e-mail and we will investigate the possibility together.

All photos courtesy of Wildland Tours except fireweed, below, and Blackpoll Warbler, bottom, which are my photos.