The Newfoundland South Coast Wilderness is home to one of the largest populations of Bald Eagles in North America and a number of nesting pairs are observable on our Coastal Safari. Birders will see a wide variety of seabirds around our wilderness camp.

Murres are amongst the 35 to 40 million seabirds that visit the plankton rich waters of Newfoundlandland every year. During the winter months the ice free waters of the Newfoundland South Coast Wilderness  provide overwintering habitat for millions of arctic birds. In spring these populations migrate north to their breeding sites and are replaced by millions of birds that have overwintered offshore on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. They are soon joined by migrants from southern latitudes and in the case of the Arctic Terns from the southern hemisphere. By May these millions of birds are busily engaged in breeding and nesting in hundreds of sites along the coast.

One of the most eminent bird scientists in Newfoundland and Labrador is Dr. Bill Montevecchi of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. As well as conducting world class research on the interaction of birds with the marine environment, Bill has been an outspoken advocate for birds and sane management of our marine resources. Click here to see some of his public writings and speeches.

Just about every small island and cliff face has a colony of nesting birds. The most important have been given ecological reserve status. The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve  near St. John's comprises three islands: Great, Gull and Green. This reserve contains the largest Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) colony in North America. Green Island contains North America's second largest colony of common murres.

Birders interested in more information about Newfoundland birds can check with the 
Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador .

THE birding site operated by Newfoundland birders is: nf . birds

An update on the latest Newfoundland bird sightings is also available at the  Virtual Birder
 
 
 

Birds are a predominant focus of many of the Ecological Reserves of Newfoundland and Labrador. Access is restricted or permits are required before entering the reserve be sure to check before setting out. Below is a complete listing with a link on each reserve:

Labrador Region

• Gannet Islands Ecological Reserve
• Redfir Lake - Kapitagas Channel Ecological Reserve

Western Region

• Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve
• Hare Bay Islands Ecological Reserve
• King George IV Ecological Reserve
• Little Grand Lake Provisional Ecological Reserve
• Table Point Ecological Reserve
• Watts Point Ecological Reserve

Central Region

• Bay du Nord Wilderness Reserve
• West Brook Ecological Reserve

Eastern Region

• Bay du Nord Wilderness Reserve
• Fortune Head Ecological Reserve
• Funk Island Ecological Reserve

Avalon Region

• Avalon Wilderness Reserve
• Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve
• Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve
• Hawke Hill Ecological Reserve
• Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve
• Witless Bay Ecological Reserve