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<\/a>My trip started off in the capital city of Saint John’s where I picked up my rental car and set off (knowing that I would have more time to linger later in the trip). My first destination was just a few hours north of the city near the town of Bonavista. I spent several days in this area working on the plentiful nesting Puffins, Black Guillemots, Greater Black-backed Gulls and Razorbills. Simply exploring the coastline in this are turned up a few great photo opportunities for these fantastic Alcids!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
My next destination was a bit more of a mission to get to. I had to drive all the way across the province to Gros Morne National Park. In addition to my target birds in the area I had heard that it was a must visit place for any hiking enthusiast. After spending a day or two working on songbirds like Blue-headed Vireo’s and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers I decided it was time to trek up to the top of Gros Morne Mountain and search for the Rock Ptarmigan. The climb definitely got my heart rate up and was a pretty good physical challenge. Upon arriving at the top though there was no question that the effort was indeed worthwhile. Not only was the view spectacular, but I also spotted a few Caribou as well as my much sought after Rock Ptarmigan (with some searching).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n From Gros Morne I travelled south along the coast to an area that I had heard of for both Piping Plovers and Black-headed Gulls (the latter has a very limited range in North America).<\/p>\n I continued along the coastline to the famous Cape Saint Mary’s Ecological Reserve to see the numerous seabirds that nest here. It is hard to describe a place as amazing as Cape Saint Mary’s. Words somehow can not capture the sights, sounds and indeed the smell of 70,000 seabirds. What I will say is that if you are ever in Newfoundland this site is an absolute MUST!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n