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Atlantic Puffin flying, Newfoundland.JPG

Atlantic Puffin, By Frank Toller, Participant

Call Lead-Guide Steve "Esh" Eshbaugh today at 406.570.2428 with your questions about this trip.

Trip Cost: $4,400

Single Supplement: $600

Deposit: $800

Final Payment Due: April 15

Maximum Group Size: 6

Spaces Available: 2

Guide: Steve Eshbaugh

Target # birds: 100

Level: Easy to Moderate

Participants must be able to hike 2-3 miles per day, with some hikes including somewhat hilly terrain.

Tour prices are given “per person, double occupancy” and include a donation to BOTH Montana Audubon (Steve Hoffman’s former employer) and Cape St. Mary's Preserve, an effective Newfoundland-based nonprofit bird/habitat conservation organization. Our tour fee includes the following (unless otherwise noted):

  • All trip materials, including detailed daily itinerary, list of what to bring, recommended field guides and pre-trip reading materials, checklist of likely birds & other wildlife.

  • All services of the leaders and guides.

  • All transportation upon arrival to destination city.

  • All accommodations during tour dates.

  • All entrance fees to museums, parks, etc.

  • All meals (except alcoholic beverages) are included, typically from breakfast on the first full day through breakfast on the last full day.

Tour prices DO NOT include round-trip airfare, passport/visa fees, arrival taxes, baggage fees, single-supplement fees, telephone calls, laundry, room service, souvenirs, and tipping of guides & drivers (optional but highly recommended).

Tour deposit is refundable, minus a $100 processing fee up to 90 days prior to departure.

Note: Tour costs, itineraries and dates are subject to change. Prices may be affected by international currency exchange rates or necessary itinerary changes.

Natural and Cultural History of
The Maritimes & Newfoundland
July 2-15, 2023

This trip is any nature (and seafood) lover's dream! Imagine gazing at the gorgeous vistas offered by Cape Breton Highlands National Park. You may also stand with mouth agape at Bay Bulls (caution!) as hundreds of thousands of puffins and murres fill the skies. We'll also be looking for up to 25 species of warblers! Seabirds we'll likely see include Razorbill, Thick-billed Murre and Black Guillemot among many others. Mammal targets will include moose and caribou. Humpback whales often come so close to shore you might be able to smell their "blow." An overnight ferry trip from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland is a comfortable adventure, complete with shearwaters viewable from the ferry's deck as the Newfoundland coast looms in the distance. At Cape Saint Mary's Ecological Reserve we'll see Northern Gannets nesting by the tens of thousands (the second largest gannet colony on Earth!), and get close enough for amazing photos! Novice photographers will feel like pros!

 

At Saint Vincent's beach, Humpback Whales will likely be feeding on abundant capelin. We time our trip for the peak of whale feeding activity close to shore. Breaching whales are a common sight, and while you may have seen humpback whales before, probably not as close as you will here, all while standing onshore. You'll also be awed by the world's largest Atlantic Puffin colony, with these and other birds totaling more than a half-million, filling the skies and shores of Green Island.

The food also sets this trip apart. Those who love seafood will be in paradise. Meals of Maine lobster, scallops, chowder and a wide variety of other seafood will be daily opportunities. We'll have the chance to sample diverse local fare too, like patridgeberry and bakeapple (not a typo and not baked apple). Pies made from local fruits will be available for dessert after dinner... and lunch. This trip will delight foodies who also enjoy exploring nature!

July 2: Arrive in Halifax

July 3: Drive To Charlottetown, PEI

July 4: Full day exploring PEI, visit East Coast Lighthouse

July 5: Ferry to Caribou Island, drive to Waternish

July 6: Visit historic Sherbrooke, Port Bickerton, bird Waternish Road

July 7: Drive to Cape Breton National Park

July 8: Cape Breton National Park

July 9: Overnight Ferry to Newfoundland

July 10: Explore St. Brides & Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve

July 11: Lance Point & St. Brides

July 12: Drive to Trepassey, stop in Witless Bay, St. Schott's

July 13: Drive to Bay Bulls, puffin & whale boat tour

July 14: Explore St. John's, Signal Hill, Cape Spear

July 15: Fly home from St. John's, Newfoundland

NS NL Map.jpg

Willet by tour participant Frank Toller

Willet, By participant Frank Toller

Yellow Warbler, By participant B. Anne Bauchman

Nelson's Sparrow photo by Frank Toller, tour participant, Port Morien, NS

Humpback Whales, Photo by guide Steve Eshbaugh, St. Vincent's Newfoundland

Common Murres by Participant Frank Toller

WHAT TRAVELERS HAVE SAID ABOUT THIS TRIP:

"I had an amazing time seeing totally new country for me....incredible birds from warblers to puffins....and enjoying great food and company!!  I would recommend it to everyone!"

Ann B., Helena, MT

Discover fun facts about the places we visit

By participant Frank Toller, Commom Murres at Bay Bulls, Newfoundland

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