Bird⋅The⋅Rock is pleased to announce a brand new tour this summer: Birding on the Edge!
July 30-31, 2017 (or on special request pending availability)
DID YOU KNOW that Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula is home to one of the world’s southernmost sub-arctic habitats? The “Hyper-Oceanic Barrens” of the southern Avalon are a rare and unique place, consisting of rocky coastlines, towering cliffs, barren heathlands and vast bogs. Life on these barrens is reflective of northern tundra – including Woodland Caribou, Willow Ptarmigan, Short-eared Owls and Horned Larks among many others. Alpine-arctic wildflowers and carnivorous pitcher plants dot the landscape. The rugged coasts provide valuable nesting habitat for seabirds such as Atlantic Puffin, Common Murre, Razorbill and several species of gull. And the rocks themselves hold ancient secrets, including fossils of the oldest complex life-forms found anywhere on Earth.
Willow Ptarmigan … just one of the special birds we will be searching for during our exploration!
Come visit “The Edge of Avalon” with us, for a two-day bird and nature tour like no other! We’ll explore Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve – seeing fossil evidence of the creatures that lived here 565 million years ago, as well as those that call it home today. Horned Larks twittering on the open barrens, Willow Ptarmigan hiding in plain sight, Whimbrel feasting on berries, and shorebirds foraging on wave-lashed beaches. With luck we may even spot the world’s southernmost Woodland Caribou, a lumbering Moose or Humpback Whales frolicking in the ocean. And no doubt we’ll stop to admire the region’s subtle beauty – sweeping landscapes, dainty orchids and carpets of fresh berries. We’ll also visit two of the island’s most iconic lighthouses, including Cape Race which has appeared on maps since 1502 and figured prominently in the final hours of the doomed Titanic.
Starting and ending in St. John’s, we’ll spend one night in beautiful Trepassey.
Highlights:
- Two days exploring one of Newfoundland’s rarest and most special habitats – the eastern hyper-oceanic barrens. This amazing landscape can be eye-opening for visitors and residents alike!
- A guided visit of Newfoundland’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site – Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve (including a short hike to see its famous fossils).
- Leisurely birding against beautiful backdrops of ocean, tundra and coastal “tuckamore”.
- Opportunities to see other natural highlights of the area – including caribou, whales and unique wildflowers.
- Comfortable accommodations and wonderful food at the Edge of Avalon Inn (Trepassey).
- A bird list will be provided, and we will review and discuss all our sightings at the end of each day.
Price
$450 /person (taxes included)
Single occupancy supplement (private hotel room): $60
Includes:
- Transportation throughout the tour, starting and ending in St. John’s
- One night accommodations at the Edge of Avalon Inn
- Two picnic lunches and one breakfast (evening meal not included, but we will dine together at the excellent Edge of Avalon Inn)
- Expert guiding services
- Guided hike to Mistaken Point fossil site with a local interpreter
** This tour can be combined with other small group tours on July 28 & 29 **
Contact Bird⋅The⋅Rock for more information or to REGISTER FOR THIS TOUR now!
Bird⋅The⋅Rock 