Trip
Information
Tour Dates:
January 10 - 15, 2010 (6 days)
Leader: Ken
Knowles
Limit: 12 people
Cost: $1325
USD, $1550 CDN
Single supplement $290 UDS, $340 CDN
Highlights:
• Several rare or unusual species of gulls, often numerous, often
at close quarters
• Eurasian species of ducks
• Target alcids frequently close inshore
• Boreal forest landbirds
• Charm of Newfoundland and her people
Featured Birds:
• Dovekie
• Thick-billed Murre
• Rare gulls
• Eurasian Wigeon
• Tufted Duck
• Bohemian Waxwing
• Pine Grosbeak
• Boreal Chickadee
Tour Summary:
• Most birding from the vehicle, or close by
• Short, easy walking
• Cold weather
• Good quality accommodation
• 4 to 8 participants with one leader, 9 to 12 with two leaders
• 15-passenger vans
• Breakfasts and lunches included
Tour starts and ends in St. John's, Newfoundland
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 Gulls,
alcids, Eurasian waterfowl, winter finches, Boreal Chickadee. Newfoundland
is a wonderful place to search for such species in winter. There may
be as many as ten species of gulls present, including such target species
as Yellow-legged, European Herring and Common, along with the numerous
Kumlien’s and Black-headed. Dovekies and Thick-billed Murres
should be here, as will Great Cormorant. If conditions are right, White-winged
Crossbills and Pine Grosbeaks grace the area, as well as Bohemian Waxwings.
Eurasian ducks include Common Teal, Tufted Duck and Eurasian Wigeon.
Newfoundland is a special place to visit at any time – the people,
the scenery, the overall way of life – no wonder birders keep
coming back!
See detailed itinerary
below.
Previous tour checklists: 2007
Newfoundland in winter tour species list (108 kb pdf)
2006 Newfoundland in winter tour species list (110 kb pdf)
To
download a registration form click here.
Photos: Kumlien's
Gulls, Common Gull, Purple Sandpipier
by Bruce Mactavish
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Itinerary
Day 1- Arrival
in St. John’s.
Our tour starts after supper.
Days 2 - 5. St. John's and the Avalon Peninsula
We are based in our comfortable hotel overlooking St. John’s
harbour for the duration of our stay. We spend most of our time in
and around St. John’s and the adjacent part of the Avalon Peninsula,
maybe venturing further should we hear of a stray within driving distance.
During our stay, we concentrate on gulls, alcids and Eurasian waterfowl,
although we will not overlook several species of landbirds that are
often desired species. We visit Cape Spear, the Easternmost Point of
North America, and other scenic locations along the Avalon Peninsula
coastline to see Great Cormorant, Common Eider, Purple Sandpiper, Dovekie,
Thick-billed Murre and Black Guillemot. January is the best month of
the year to see the charismatic Dovekie feeding close to shore (often
just a few metres off the rocks!). St. John’s is unsurpassed
in North America for the large number and rich diversity of gulls observed
in comfort at close range. There are nine species present daily in
winter including moderate numbers of Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed
Gulls plus one or two European Mew (Common) Gulls. Glaucous Gulls are
present in the hundreds and the ‘Kumlien’s’ Iceland
Gulls by the thousands in the harbour and adjacent famous Quidi Vidi
Lake. In most winters there is also one or two of each Yellow-legged
Gull and European Herring Gull to look for. The St. John’s city
ponds annually host significant numbers of wintering Eurasian Wigeon, ‘Eurasian’ Green-winged
Teal and Tufted Ducks among the hundreds of Northern Pintail and Black
Ducks. The boreal forest around St. John’s is home to resident
Boreal Chickadee and the northern finches including Pine Grosbeak and
White-winged Crossbill. Bohemian Waxwing is abundant within the St.
John’s city limits in most winters. Winter weather in St. John’s
is similar to that of the Great Lakes. We can drive to all the good
birding locations and usually be birding next to the van. We spend
time leisurely watching, examining and learning about many of the species
we encounter. Nights in St. John’s.
Day 6. Departure
Our tour ends after breakfast
WHAT TO EXPECT
Sunrise is about 7:45 a.m., and we will start the day around that time.
We stay close to St. John's, therefore driving distances will be short.
Sunset is about 4:30 p.m., at which time we make our way back to our
hotel.
Weather can be variable; however, it will be cold, so appropriate layered
clothing is recommended and good waterproof footwear is advisable. Most
trails and paths are easy to moderate, likely snow-covered but manageable.
Each evening, the list of birds and other wildlife will be reviewed,
and plans for the next day discussed.
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