With 35 million seabirds this close, binoculars are optional.
Seabird Capital of North America
Ways to Watch
Icebergs, Whales & Birds – The Triple Play!
Plan & Book
With over 350 species of birds, there's no question Newfoundland and Labrador is a major destination for birdwatching. Whether from land or sea, you can get up close to millions of seabirds, rare birds, and birds of prey at one of our world-class birdwatching hot spots. Like the largest puffin colony in North America — home to our provincial bird, the Atlantic Puffin.
You can also get up close with Joan as she shows us why they say this place is for the birds.
Over 29,000 kilometres of coastline – no wonder our 35 million seabirds love this place. Experience the chaotic gatherings of 25,000 gannets and 7 million storm-petrels, just to name a few. Black-legged kittiwakes, common murres, and their thick-billed cousins are also easily spotted.
Witness more than 500,000 Atlantic puffins at the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Or, stand a mere 20 metres from Bird Rock at the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, one of the most accessible seabird nesting sites in the world.
Smart. Quick. And plentiful. Birds of prey such as hawks, falcons, ospreys, and owls patrol these parts. They share their nesting grounds with over 800 bald eagles – one of the largest populations on the continent.
Many non-native birds get side-tracked along their journey. Every year, we welcome a few European travellers like the European golden plover and the Northern wheatear. And endangered species like the harlequin duck or the piping plover have also been known to make the odd appearance.
Boat Tours & Kayaks
One of the best ways to watch seabirds around places such as the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is by boat tour, or with a sea kayaking guide.
Land
There are a number of top bird gathering spots across Newfoundland and Labrador that are 'must-sees', and very accessible by land. Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site and the Puffin Viewing Site in Elliston are great examples.
Birdwatching Attractions - Random Order
Visit Our Hot Spots
We’re one of the few places in the world to receive simultaneous visits from whales, seabirds, and icebergs. As the whales and birds migrate north and the icebergs sail south, there’s a chance to experience all three of these wonderful sights in one trip. Like so much in nature, there are many factors that vary from year to year, but with luck you’ll witness this exciting spectacle.
View or download our Whales, Seabirds & Icebergs map.
The View From Here
Videos far, far off the beaten path
Travel Stories
Off-the-Beaten-Path Birding in Central Newfoundland
By Newfoundland & Labrador
Cape St. Mary’s: Why a short, scenic walk gives it a tourism edge
By Sue Bailey
Wild and Free: A Guide to Wildlife in Terra Nova National Park
By Newfoundland & Labrador
Birdwatching Offers - Random Order
Picture Yourself Here #ExploreNL
See What Other Travellers Have to Say
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