Canadian Maritimes – July 2024
We have always wanted to visit the Canadian Maritimes, so we drove from upstate New York to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. Of course, we stopped in Maine to see the Cape Neddick Lighthouse and to enjoy some outstanding New England seafood.
New Brunswick
Our first adventure was with Cruisin’ with the Whales Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours into the Bay of Fundy. The captain took us by Sandy Ledge, where we watched some Harbor and Gray Seals along with a close look at an adult Bald Eagle. Further out, we spent time with 3 different Minke whales. We finished our trip with a pass through the Old Sow whirlpool, the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere, located off the southwestern shore of Deer Island. Our favorite birds on this trip are the Black Guillemot, Razorbill, and Common Murre.
The following morning, we explored Spooner Island Rotary Park, a unique green space established in 1998. For $35,000, the Rotary Club of Hampton acquired approximately seven acres to create this haven for the town’s residents. The park’s marsh and estuaries are a significant draw for waterfowl; during our visit, we spotted American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Green-winged Teal, and Common Goldeneye. We observed an impressive 24 different bird species at this location.
Prince Edward Island
Our Prince Edward Island adventure began at the iconic Cavendish Beach in Prince Edward Island National Park. Birding highlights included Black Scoter and Northern Gannet. A special moment was encountering the Mi’kmaq people’s “park promise” sign, a powerful reminder of the connection between people and the land in the face of climate change. Next on our itinerary was the historic Seacow Head Lighthouse, a beacon built in 1864 that offers picturesque views, including a glimpse of the Confederation Bridge. While this location wasn’t teeming with birdlife, we were still delighted by the presence of an American Kestrel and Yellow Warblers.
Beyond the birds, we looked forward to two quintessential PEI experiences: savoring the renowned fresh oysters and witnessing the island’s famed red sands. These unique beaches owe their characteristic hue to a high concentration of iron oxide in the soil and rocks – essentially, a natural “rusting” process. We stopped at the popular Chelton Beach, where we observed many Arctic Red Jellyfish washed ashore. Another of PEI’s charms is its significant potato industry. This province proudly holds the title of Canada’s largest potato producer, with a remarkable one-quarter of the nation’s potatoes!
Nova Scotia
The day began in the little community of Blue Rocks with its famously photographed fish shack. Among the 20 species we observed, nesting Common Eider, Great Black-backed Gull, and Great Blue Heron stood out. Our next stop was Ovens Natural Park with spectacular cliffside trails to view the famous sea caves, or “Ovens” for which the park was named (as seen in the cover photo). Here, we spotted birds such as American Herring Gull, Dark-eyed Junco, and White-throated Sparrow.
Later, we explored Rose Bay, a well-known birding destination with trails winding through both beach and marsh habitats. This area had a diverse array of shorebirds, including Willets, Short-billed Dowitchers, and both Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers foraging in the marsh. However, the true highlight of the day, and indeed the entire trip, was the sighting of a Nelson’s Sparrow – a “life bird” and a truly memorable encounter. We tallied a total of 35 species in Nova Scotia.
Our journey through the Canadian Maritimes was a beautiful combination of breathtaking landscapes, friendly hospitality from the locals, the freshest seafood, and outstanding birdwatching opportunities. We sincerely hope that you will find the time to visit this remarkable region of Canada and that your experience is just as enjoyable as ours was.
Trip Birds: 65 Year Birds: 18 Canada Life Birds: 12 World Life Birds: 1
Next Up: Hawaii – November 2024
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