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Nova Scotia sticks out into the North Atlantic from the Eastern seaboard of Canada, and only fails to be an island by virtue of the narrow Chignecto Peninsula that separates it from the neighboring Province of New Brunswick. The 3 coasts, with the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the North, the Bay of Fundy to the West, and the North Atlantic to the East, all have different characteristics in terms of scenery and character, and different birding as well. The Northern third of Nova Scotia is Cape Breton Island, joined to the rest by a main road over a causeway. The human population is concentrated in the metropolitan area of Halifax/ Dartmouth, and Industrial Cape Breton around Sydney, as well as smaller towns such as Truro, New Glasgow and Yarmouth. Many people also live in rural areas and in small towns and villages along the coast. The main human activities have been traditionally fishing (especially lobster); farming and forestry, although the former is currently in decline. Much of the land is forested, with the predominantly Boreal- type forest (mostly White and Black spruce, Balsam Fir, Tamarack etc.) along the coast and in the Northern part of the Province gradually giving way to more mixed forest (more Maple, Oak, Red Spruce etc.) inland and farther south. The narrow strip of the Annapolis Valley is largely agricultural, and there are extensive areas of freshwater marsh and saltmarsh. There are numerous lakes and rivers, many of which are remote and hard to access, but some of which have cottages around the edge - thus contributing to the wide variety of birding habitat. The weather is very changeable, and Summers tend to be warm and dry, Winters tend to be cool and wet, with snow cover over most of the Province from about mid-December to about early April (less so in recent years). Storms, with high winds and much precipitation, are frequent in winter, and much anticipated by birders for what they sometimes blow in. Fog can be a major problem, especially around the Southwest coast. Birding can be good at any time of the year, depending on the species looked for, and the habitat. The physical location makes the Province an excellent area to attract vagrants from farther west, that eventually stall against the coast (e.g. Townsend`s Warbler, Varied Thrush) and the occasional Eurasian vagrant (e.g. Fieldfare). From early May onward, the woods are alive with Vireos, Thrushes, and especially, Warblers, of which some 21 species are reasonably widespread and regular breeders (the mosquitoes and blackflies are even more regular and widespread!). Fall brings the Shorebird migration, widespread on the coasts, and of world importance for some species in specific locations. There is also an excellent Raptor migration in some favoured spots. Seabird watching can be excellent all year round, but tends to be most interesting in Winter, where sometimes large numbers of Loons, Grebes, Alcids and Sea-Ducks (Long-tailed, Eider, Red-breasted Mergansers etc.) can be seen from shore. |
Amherst Point and Belle Isle Marshes
Although in different areas of the Province, these are rather similar areas of fresh water marsh habitat, with impoundments, reed beds and fields, excellent for waterfowl, Pied-billed Grebes, Short-eared owls, Northern Harriers, Bobolinks and some Warblers species, etc. in Summer.Any Provincial Park
Nova Scotia is full of small parks, maintained as rest, picnic or camping areas by the Provincial government. Their locations are well marked on the highways maps. Almost all have trees, shrubbery and other habitats, and almost all can have good birding, depending on the location and time of year. One of the best hour's birding I have ever had, anywhere in the world, in my life, was one dawn in one of our local Provincial Parks, when the Warblers, Sparrows and Thrushes were dripping from the trees. An hour later they had nearly all gone. In most of the Province a visiting birder's best bet is to contact a local birder to find exact directions to the local hot spots and what is around.Brier Island
Satellite ViewOff the tip of Digby Neck, accessible by 2 small car ferries, there is a village with accommodations, and varied habitat for birding all year round. The best seasons are probably late Summer and Fall. In Summer and early Fall several local companies offer half day trips by boat into the adjacent mouth of the Bay of Fundy for whale watching (Humpbacked, Fin and Northern Wright); plus excellent seabird watching - often with huge numbers of Shearwaters, Phalaropes and the occasional Jaeger and South Polar Skua being regular highlights. Later in fall there is an excellent Raptor migration over the Island. Again, a good day, especially in fall, can easily yield over 100 species.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Satellite ViewHas a huge area of upland and coastal habitat, including much true wilderness. Some of the trails are quite accessible, though. This is where Bicknell's Thrush can be found singing at dawn in June, and where there is probably the biggest variety of Warblers, particularly the more boreal species (Cape May, Mourning, Blackburnian etc.) in the Province. There are 2 rocky islands offshore that hold a breeding colony of Razorbill and Atlantic Puffin, easily accessible by tour boats.
Cape Sable Island
InformationSatellite View
In Shelburne County, sticking out into the Atlantic, and accessible by road, this area at the South West tip of the Province has a variety of habitats, including mud-flats for Shorebirds, marshes for Herons and other large waders, and an excellent record of passerine migrants including all kinds of rarities and vagrants, especially in the Fall. The best spots are around The Hawk at the tip of the island, and the surrounding alder patches. Snowy Owls have been regular on the dunes offshore in recent winters, and there is a regular fall passage of Shearwaters and other seabirds in fall. On a good fall day, it is not hard to surpass 100+ species here. There are some keen resident birders, always interested in showing visitors around. Offshore are Bon Portage, and farther out, Seal Islands, both with banding (ringing) stations, and Seal in particular is a Mecca for rarity hunters. The NS Bird Society runs trips to Bon Portage in spring and fall, but Seal is less accessible, with trips arranged occasionally.
Halifax Harbour in Winter
Satellite ViewThe Cities of Halifax and Dartmouth surround a large harbour, that remains ice-free in winter, and into which is discharged the city`s largely untreated effluent. This attracts Gulls, including large numbers of Iceland, and Black-Headed as well as others, plus Sea Ducks and Alcids. The shrubbery in the surrounding parks often has rare lingering Warblers, Orioles, and Cardinals etc. The Nova Scotia Bird Society and Halifax Field Naturalists run a number of Sewer Strolls each Winter, which usually produce excellent winter birding. Some of the surrounding areas, especially nearby coastal marshes, are well watched because of the relatively large (by NS standards) population of birders, and therefore commonly produce interesting birds.
Richard Stern
(Kentville - Nova Scotia)
rbstern@ns.sympatico.cahttp://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/nsbirds/bsite1.htm
Number of bird species: 452
Provincial Bird - Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Provincial Bird - Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Birding in Atlantic Canada: Nova Scotia
R Burrows Series: BIRDING IN ATLANTIC CANADA 163 pages, illus, maps. Jesperson Press 1988ISBN: 092050289X
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birding Sites of Nova Scotia
- A comprehensive year-round guide for birders & other nature lovers by Blake Maybank Nimbus 2006http://maybank.tripod.com/BSNS/BSNS.htm
See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 155109519X
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of Nova Scotia
Robie W. Tufts Paperback (1986) Nimbus Publishing LtdISBN: 0920852661
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Atlantic Canada Branch of the Sierra Club
WebsiteThe Sierra Club of Canada is a membership-based, volunteer-governed national environmental organization with Chapters across the country. It is dedicated to exploring, enjoying and protecting the wild places of the earth and to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems...
Blomidon Naturalists Society
WebsiteThe Blomidon Naturalists Society is a field naturalists club centred around the eastern Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia.. Members live mostly in Kings County, West Hants, and Eastern Annapolis Counties. We began in 1974 and at present have about 250 family and single members. All of our activities are open to the public. The primary objective of the BNS is to encourage and develop in its members and the public, an understanding and appreciation of nature which is interpreted broadly and includes the rocks, plants, animals, water, air and stars...
Halifax Field Naturalists
WebsiteThe objectives of the Halifax Field Naturalists are to encourage a greater appreciation and understanding of Nova Scotia's natural history, both within the membership of HFN and in the public at large; and to represent the interests of naturalists by encouraging the conservation of Nova Scotia's natural resources...
Nature Nova Scotia (Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists)
WebsiteThe Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists exists to support the common interests of naturalists clubs, and to represent those clubs at the provincial level...
Nova Scotia Nature Trust
WebsiteNova Scotia has a rich and diverse natural heritage. From the blazing colour of an autumn hardwood forest to the stark beauty of a granite barren; the high energy of waves crashing on the shore to the tranquility of a riverside marsh; the beaches of the Northumberland Strait to the cliffs scoured by the Fundy tides. Nova Scotians are stewards of many natural treasures. But these landscapes and the many species that inhabit them need protection if they are to persist. With less than 30% of the province`s land publicly owned, private landowners have an important role to play in protecting these places.
Nova Scotia Bird Society
WebsiteThe Nova Scotia Bird Society has been a focus for birders in this province for almost 40 years. Serving over 500 members, it has much to offer anyone interested in wild birds. Browse through the subjects below for a sample of what we do, and feel free to send us e-mail if you would like more information...
Piping Plover Guardian Program
WebsiteThe aim of this program is to assist in the conservation and recovery of the Piping Plover in Atlantic Canada.
Sable Island Preservation trust
WebsiteMission to maintain on-going supervisory human presence; establish educational and interpretation programs and coordinate core services and activities...
Atlantic Bird Observatory
ObservatorySatellite View
Migration monitoring is ongoing throughout the world, and in the past several years efforts have been made to increase the number of monitoring sites in Canada. The initial efforts to set up a long-term migration monitoring site for the Canadian Atlantic coast started in 1995, on Seal Island (43o; 25N, 66o; 00W) and Bon Portage Island (43o; 27N, 65o; 45W); Nova Scotia. A week of mist netting and observing birds served as a pilot study to determine the islands appropriateness for inclusion into the Canada-wide migration monitoring network.
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/nsbirds/Close your eyes and imagine for a moment the sounds and sights of Canada`s East Coast. Seabirds clamber noisily along the wave beaten shore. Songbirds sing heartily from nearby perches as hikers fill their bellies with blueberries. An eagle soars patiently over the blue water of an inland sea...
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
WebsiteThe Park protects 950 sq km of magnificent highlands and coastal wilderness. Approximately one-half of the world-renowned Cabot Trail is owned by, and located within the Park.
Cape Sable Island IBA
WebsiteSatellite View
Eastern Cape Sable Island’s sandy beaches and mudflats provide year-round habitat for a diversity of birdlife. Spring and fall migrants include geese, loons, egrets, herons, seaducks, cormorants and brant attracted to the sandy beaches and mudflats....
Kejimkujik National Park
WebsiteSatellite View
Kejimkujik... protects 381 sq km of inland lakes and forests, and 22 sq km of rugged Atlantic coastline (Kejumkujik's Seaside Adjunct).
Kejimkujik National Park Birds
WebsiteSatellite View
Kejimkujik National Park is located off Route 8 (Kejimkujik Scenic Drive), which traverses southwestern Nova Scotia between Liverpool and Annapolis Royal. The Seaside Adjunct is located off Highway 103, 25 km southwest of Liverpool...
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1999 [September] - Maybank - Southern Islands
ReportThis trip focused on a number of Nova Scotia`s southern islands which, in addition to their aesthetic charms, are wonderful bird migrant traps...
2001 [April] - Brad Robson and Anja Rösler
ReportSat. 31st March: 09.00hrs Belfast to London Heathrow, delayed 12.30hrs Heathrow to Halifax departed c14.40hrs. Landed briefly in bright sunshine at St.John`s, Newfoundland, there was quite a lot of sea ice offshore and a Raven was seen near the runway as well as distant Great Black-backs and American Herring Gulls...
2002 [September] Wayne & Betty Petersen
Report...Despite pea soup fog, a hallmark of the Bay of Fundy, birding started as soon as we began the three hour crossing. Saint John Harbor offered the usual Double-crested Cormorants and Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls, but it was the offshore species that the group was anticipating. After ogling for nearly two hours at frustratingly distant forms evaporating into the shroud of cool fog cloaking Fundy`s rich waters, the sun began to appear and observation gradually improved...
2006 [October] - Derek Lovitch
Report... then worked our way, slowly but surely, up the French Shore, stopping at almost every site mentioned in “Birding Sites of Nova Scotia” by Blake Maybank. This book was indispensable in our travels, as it laid out site after site with excellent directions. An American Golden Plover and over 200 Sanderlings were observed at Port Maitland Provincial Park (only hinting at the volumne of shorebirds that depend on the Bay of Fundy), a Gray Jay was along Rte 1 in Mateghan, and we found a 1st Cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull amid thousands of Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls in the harbor at Mateghan. Our last stop, as the sun was setting, was Ticken Cove at Church Point, adding Ruddy Turnstone and Red-necked Grebe to the day’s list...
Winter Birding in Nova Scotia
ReportThe table below lists the species sighted or expected somewhere in the province of Nova Scotia during the period 1 December 2002 - 28 February 2003...
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Birding Pal
InformationLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
Fieldguides
Tour OperatorNewfoundland & Nova Scotia - Boreal specialties, seabird colonies & numerous breeding landbirds in the beautiful Canadian Maritimes...
Cape Sable Cottages
AccommodationWe offer deluxe seaside cottage accomodations on Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia- Canada. We are a premier bird watching site- we have many strays and often sight unusual birds. We are in the migration paths and are well known for the diversity of birds on our shores and islands.
Craigflower Cottage
AccommodationCome to the heart of coastal Nova Scotia! White sandy beaches, quaint fishing villages, picturesque sea side towns, majestic natural parks are yours to discover at Craigflower Cottage.
Harbourview Inn
AccommodationTrips down Digby Neck will reward the birder with glimpses of many marine and other birds, including the legendary puffin.
Whitman Inn
AccommodationComfortable Lodging, Fine Dining, Activities and Events Year Round - A natural paradise of outdoor recreation, canoeing, hiking, nature interpretation, wildlife and ecology study...
NatureNS
Mailing ListList contact:majordomo@chebucto.ns.ca
To subscribe to list:majordomo@chebucto.ns.ca
subscribe NatureNS your e-mail address
Mailing List – Discussion Group - Discussion of birds and natural history in Nova Scotia.
NS-RBA · Nova Scotia Rare Bird Alert
Mailing ListTo post to list:NS-RBA@yahoogroups.com
List contact:NS-RBA-owner@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:NS-RBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
This is a forum for the public announcement and discussion of rare bird sightings in Nova Scotia.
Backyard Birds of Winter in Nova Scotia
WebsiteWinter is a great time to watch birds. There are fewer species around, and many will come to bird feeders. Here are pictures and short stories for 44 of the most common winter birds you may see around bird feeders, or backyards in Nova Scotia, on Canada`s east coast.
Birding Hotspots in Nova Scotia
WebsiteWe've joined forces with some of Nova Scotia's bird enthusiasts to bring you a collection of sites around the province that capture the essence of the East Coast's avifauna. From the wilds of northern Cape Breton to the surprisingly biodiverse sewer outlets of Halifax County, we take you on a tour of Nova Scotia's finest birding sites!
Birds of Nova Scotia
WebsiteRobie Tufts' Birds of Nova Scotia has been a fixture on the bookshelves of bird lovers since the first edition was published in 1961. Not only is it an excellent resource for anyone wanting to know about the birds that visit Nova Scotia, it is a pleasure to read, full of interesting observations, amusing anecdotes and beautiful illustrations.
Brier Island
WebsiteWhy is this a good place to visit? It has a wide variety of birds at all times of the year, including many rarities, and many birds that are hard to see otherwise, for example pelagics in summer. Plus the birds are easy to find.
Cape Breton Birds
WebsiteI have made this web site to help anyone interested in Wild Birds. I will be posting information on Birdwatching trips, feeding wild birds, what rare birds are being seen around Cape Breton, nest box building, and questions and answers about wild birds. Contributions to this page are welcome.
East Coast Birds
WebsiteClose your eyes and imagine for a moment the sounds and sights of Canada's East Coast. Seabirds clamber noisily along the wave beaten shore. Songbirds sing heartily from nearby perches as hikers fill their bellies with blueberries. An eagle soars patiently over the blue water of an inland sea. This is the Maritimes, with its diverse range of habitats which attract hundreds of bird species every year.
Important Bird Area
WebsiteList of IBAs in Nova Scotia...
NatureNS archives
WebsiteA peruse of these archives may well prove useful to the intending visitor.
Nova Scotia Bald Eagles
WebsiteIt is exhilarating to see a Bald Eagle up close, close enough to see its perpetually concerned facial expression, its confident posture, its powerful claws. But to watch it in flight is awesome, as its massive wings take it higher and higher until it becomes a mere speck circling in the sky. And as recently as the 1970s, precious few people would have been lucky enough to watch such a magnificent display.
Nova Scotia's Birdwatching Sites
WebsiteWe've joined forces with some of Nova Scotia's bird enthusiasts to bring you a collection of sites around the province that capture the essence of the East Coast's avifauna. From the wilds of northern Cape Breton to the surprisingly biodiverse sewer outlets of Halifax County, we take you on a tour of Nova Scotia's finest birding sites
Recent Postings
WebsiteArchives of rarity reports
Sable Island Green Horse Society
WebsiteLeach's Storm-Petrels lay a single creamy white egg in long horizontal burrows which they dig in earth - the males do the digging, mostly using their feet. Since burrows cannot be made in loose sand, on Sable Island, petrels dig into the sand under solid materials and structures, thus their burrows have a secure roof. Petrels may also use natural holes and crevices...
Winter Birding in Nova Scotia
WebsiteThe table below lists the species sighted or expected somewhere in the province of Nova Scotia during the period 1 December 2003 - 29 February 2004...
Winter in Nova Scotia, Naturally!
WebsiteWinter is the season with which Canadians identify; they wrap its rigors around their shoulders as a flag of honour, and wave it to the world for everyone to see. And this year, with vicious ice-storms in the east, avalanches in the western mountains, and floods in the Maritimes, the ensign is particularly vivid. But if such events encourage our natural inclination to remain warmly indoors through the interminable wait for spring, we would miss out on the natural delights the outdoor world has to offer. This is especially true in Nova Scotia...
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This site was last updated on Sunday, 29th January 2012.
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