Fundy National Park and the Grand Manan
Birds, Whales, & More
August 28-September 4, 2007
Famous
for the world’s most dramatic tide shifts, the Bay of Fundy
is surrounded by extensive forests, rustic fishing villages, and rugged
shorelines. The area is also known for diverse wildlife: shallower
waters of the bay support rich marine habitats that attract migrating
shorebirds and waders, while the deeper waters are feeding grounds
for many whales and seabirds, some rare.
We start with a couple of days exploring Fundy National Park and the
surrounding area while staying Alma, a nearby coastal village. The
park protects a lush Acadian forest of maples and conifers, habitat
for Moose and Beaver. Our timing coincides with the peak of autumn
warbler migration, and the trees will likely be filled with warblers,
kinglets, sparrows, and resident songbirds.
Then
we travel by ferry to Grand Manan Island. This is the largest island
in the Grand Manan archipelago, which sits at the mouth of the Bay
of Fundy. The 1.5-hour ferry ride is an adventure and great birding
opportunity in itself. In contrast to the traditional maritime towns
on the mainland coast, the archipelago remains largely untouched by
man and serves as a convenient staging ground for migrating land birds
and shorebirds.
While on the island, we stay at the quaint and comfortable Shorecrest
Lodge for five nights. From this central location it’s easy
to enjoy the birds, wildflowers, and other wildlife on beaches, forest
trails, and along some rugged coastline. Hikes (always optional) will
vary from short walks along sandy roads to three-mile jaunts through
forest trails and along rugged coastline.
We’ve also planned two boat trips in search of the denizens
of the Atlantic. On these trips we’re likely to see Atlantic
Puffins, Razorbills, murres, jaegers, shearwaters, storm-petrels,
phalaropes, Harbor Porpoise, White-sided Dolphin, Fin Whale, Humpback
Whale, and the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. We think you’ll
enjoy the culture and history of the island’s picturesque villages.
The local seafood is a treat as well! This journey is limited to just
12 people, so let us know of your interest right away!
ITINERARY
Tues.,
Aug. 28 Arrival in Saint John / Alma / Fundy National Park
Plan to arrive in Saint John, New Brunswick by 2:00 PM today. We then
commute by van to the village of Alma, on the Bay of Fundy coast,
where we will stay for the next two nights. Before dinner, we’ll
scan over the mouth of the Upper Salmon River for migrating shorebirds.
If time permits, we’ll visit Fundy National Park, driving down
the Laverty Road where the lush Acadian Forest may reveal some northern
wildlife. We’ll search through the Red Spruce and Balsam Fir
in hopes that the conifers will reveal some of their secrets. With
luck we may encounter, Moose, Beaver, Snowshoe Hare, or Spruce Grouse.
In the evening we enjoy a welcome dinner at a restaurant in Alma.
Accommodations at a hotel in, Alma, New Brunswick, CANADA (D)
Wed.,
Aug. 29 Fundy NP / Mary’s Point / Hopewell Rocks
Early risers can join an optional, early morning drive into Fundy
National Park before breakfast. Our best chance of seeing wildlife
such as Moose or Beaver is at dawn. We may even hear a trickle of
dawn chorus from migrating warblers and kinglets.
After
breakfast we return to the park for a hike along the Caribou Plain
Trail, which takes us through a mixed forest of spruce and maple,
and eventually to a beaver pond. Even if the beavers are asleep, we’ll
see evidence of their industrious effect on forest habitats. During
our hike we’ll compare Red, Striped, and Sugar Maples. Certainly,
we’ll have many encounters with the common Red Squirrel and
Eastern Chipmunk. After a 
picnic
lunch in the park we’ll stop at the visitor’s center to
peruse its displays and gift shops.
Then it’s on to Mary’s Point Shorebird Reserve. Each fall,
thousands of Semipalmated Sandpipers typically stage here while migrating
to their wintering grounds. If conditions are right, we’ll be
able to observe large flocks coming through. We also visit the Hopewell
Rocks on the shores of Shepody Bay. These amazing rocks form a series
of arches, caves and stacks, shaped like giant flowerpots, carved-out
over thousands of years by the world’s highest tides. Dinner
tonight is at your leisure.
Accommodations at a hotel in Alma, New Brunswick (B,L)
Thurs.,
Aug. 30 St. Martins Covered Bridges / Irving Nature Center / Ferry
to Grand Manan / Shorecrest Lodge
We leave our hotel early today, stopping first at the famous twin
covered bridges in St. Martins, the only place in the world where
you can see two covered bridges at the same time. Just outside of
Saint John we stop for a picnic lunch at the Irving Nature Centre.
This small, hilly preserve protects another excellent stretch of coastal
Acadian Forest. We can count warblers, scan for distant shorebirds,
or bask in the beautiful coastal scenery while enjoying our picnic.
We then drive straight to Blacks Harbor for the 1.5-hour ferry ride
to Grand Manan. During the ferry ride, we’re likely to see our
first 
seabirds
-- Greater Shearwater, Northern Gannet, Black-legged Kittiwake, and
Black Guillemot – and our first cetaceans -- Fin Whale, Minke
Whale, and Harbor Porpoise. On Grand Manan we check into the quaint
and comfortable Shorecrest Lodge in North Head, where we will stay
for the next five nights. Relax, unpack, and enjoy a group meal at
the hotel restaurant.
Accommodations at the Shorecrest Lodge, North Head, Grand Manan
(B,L,D)
Fri., Aug. 31 Anchorage Provincial Park / Flagg Cove / Castalia
Marsh
The Shorecrest’s central location makes it easy to explore the
island’s diverse habitats. Birds and wild flowers flourish on
neighboring trails, fields and properties. On 
the
island’s numerous trails we can look for forest, wetland, and
ocean species. We should encounter many songbirds, waterfowl, Great
Black-backed Gull, Bald Eagle, and Peregrine Falcon. Occasionally,
whales, Harbor Porpoise and River Otter can be observed from shore.
Today we explore the island in search of shorebirds. We stroll down
the beaches of Anchorage Provincial Park and Flagg Cove, and also
visit Castalia Marsh. In these locations we’re likely to see
large flocks of birds that are easily approached. Semipalmated Sandpiper,
Semipalmated Plover, and Sanderling will be out in force. Among them
will be small numbers of Least Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, and 
Black-bellied
Plover. We’ll search through the flocks for unusual species
like Baird’s Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Red Knot, and
Whimbrel. With the right approach, we should be able to get close
enough to capture good photos.
After an early dinner (5 p.m.), we visit Swallowtail Point and the
Swallowtail Lighthouse, one of Atlantic Canada’s most familiar
landmarks. From this enchanting rocky outcropping we scan for Harbor
Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Black-legged Kittiwake, and Humpback, Fin,
and Minke Whales.
Accommodations at the Shorecrest Lodge, North Head, Grand Manan
(B,L,D)
Sat.,
Sept. 1 Boating on the Bay of Fundy
Today, we sail into the Bay of Fundy to look for North Atlantic Right
Whale. This is the most reliable place in the world to observe this
rare species. Our vessel is the “Elsie Menota,” a beautiful,
46-passenger sailing yacht. Joining us on the trip is Laurie Murison,
the island’s leading marine biologist, who has been studying
Bay of Fundy whales and seabirds since 1982.
On
past tours we have observed large groups of Right Whales in courtship
display, breaching and frequently showing flukes. We may see other
species of whales, White-sided Dolphin, Gray Seal, Basking Shark,
Bluefin Tuna, Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, Northern Gannet, shearwaters,
jaegers, storm petrels or a 
variety
of other marine life.
After
returning to land, we’ll have options to explore parts of the
island or relax at the lodge. We can visit the Grand Manan Museum
with its Marine Gallery and the famous Allan Moses collection of bird
skins. The Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station also houses
informative displays. All the proceeds from the station’s delightful
gift shop go to support marine research. Upon return, we have some
free time before a group dinner at the hotel.
Accommodations at the Shorecrest Lodge, North Head, Grand Manan
(B,L,D)
Sun., Sept. 2 West Coast of Island: Dark Harbor & The
Whistle
We venture to the rugged west side of the island, including Dark Harbor,
South Head, and "The Whistle.” This side of the island
rises to 400 feet from the coast. Its steep cliffs of basalt columns
provide fantastic vistas and unique rock formations. On the way we
drive through thick forests of Red Spruce, Red Maple, and Speckled
Alder, occasionally stopping to search for migrating warblers, sparrows,
and hawks. We may encounter Merlin, American Kestrel, Broad-winged
Hawk, and Northern Harrier. We’ll use a variety of tricks to
entice migrating songbirds into view; we should find White-throated
Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, and Black-throated Green, Blackpoll, Northern
Parula, Nashville, Magnolia, and Blackburnian Warblers (just to name
a few!).
The
only coastal village on the west is Dark Harbor, a natural cove tucked
below the high basalt cliffs. This remote part of the island is the
world’s best location for harvesting dulse, an edible seaweed
that thrives in the shadow of the cliffs.
From a few choice lookouts, we might see Fin and Minke Whales, Bald
Eagles, Osprey and a variety of seabirds passing over the eddies &
currents. From the Whistle, we can look back to both the U.S. and
Canadian mainlands. If conditions are good, you can opt for an optional
return to the western shore after an early dinner to watch the sun
set.
Accommodations at the Shorecrest Lodge, North Head, Grand Manan
(B,L)
Mon.,
Sept. 3 Bay of Fundy / Hike to Whale Cove & Hole-in-the-Wall
From Seal Cove we head out today to the deeper waters of the Bay of
Fundy in search of whales and seabirds. Our vessel is “Day’s
Catch,” a certified fishing boat well designed for observing
wildlife. Our skipper, Peter Wilcox, comes from a family with a long
history of working the Atlantic. Again, our main objective is to find
North Atlantic Right Whale. Greater and Sooty Shearwaters should be
common; Leach's and Wilson's Storm Petrels also may appear. We’ll
inspect flocks carefully for Manx Shearwater. Parasitic and Pomarine
Jaegers are likely to be in the area, as well as migrating Red and
Red-necked Phalaropes. With luck, we may see a stray from a far-off
land or a wandering distant traveler like South Polar or Great Skua.
After
lunch on the boat we return to the island. Those who wish can join
an optional hike from the Shorecrest Lodge to Whale Cove. Following
the rocky shore we’ll come to Hole-in-the-Wall, a natural rock
arch formed by thousands of years of erosion. During this short jaunt,
we’ll keep an eye out for migratory woodland birds, including
flycatchers, warblers, and thrushes. On the rugged and scenic coast
we scan the sea for Fin Whale and Great Cormorant. We may be able
to tally up all we’ve seen during our final dinner tonight at
the hotel.
Accommodations at the Shorecrest Lodge, North Head, Grand Manan
(B,L,D)
Tues., Sept. 4 Ferry to Mainland / St. John & Departures
We depart Grand Manan for the mainland right after breakfast. During
the ferry ride we’ll see a lot of seabirds, and perhaps even
tally additional species. Once ashore, we drive back to Saint John,
New Brunswich for flights home after 1:00 pm. (B)
Please
note that this itinerary is subject to changes due to weather, particularly
important on boat days – we may switch activities around accordingly.
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Tour
Cost and Travel Arrangements
COST
OF THE JOURNEY: Cost of the journey is $2750.00
per person, based on double occupancy from Saint John, New
Brunswick and based on the exchange rate of 01/28/07 –
subject to change with exchange rate as of billing up to
60 days prior (final payment). Single supplement (subject
to availability) is $465.00. Cost includes: all accommodations;
meals as stated in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch,
D=dinner); group airport transfers; boat tours, ground transportation;
professional guide services; park, preserve, and other activity
fees; and miscellaneous program expenses. Tour price does
not include: roundtrip airfare to and from Saint John, New
Brunswick, or items of a personal nature such as: laundry,
porterage, telephone charges, or beverages from the bar.
Gratuities for maids, porters, your local lodge guides,
and staff are at your discretion. Please note that the cost
of the journey is based on 8 participants; with a smaller
group there may be a small group surcharge – typically
$100 - $300.
TRAVEL
ARRANGEMENTS: Please arrive in Saint John, NEW
BRUNSWICK at the airport by 2:00 p.m. on August 28 for our
drive to Alma. Please plan to depart after 1 pm on Sept.
4. If you wish to arrive early or stay on in the area, we
can help you with hotel recommendations.
Photo Credits:
Beaver, Carol Rivchun; all other photos by Tony Beck - to
see more of his images, go to: www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/
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