The Bird Islands which are an official bird sanctuary located one mile off Cape Dauphin are two islands called Hertford and Ciboux and are home to a great number of sea birds each year. Donelda’s Puffin Boat Tours offers a full 2.5 hour bird watching experience where you can look along the rugged seacoast for species that do not nest at the Bird Islands and then be amazed with all the seabirds when we arrive at the Islands.
Birds usually seen on the way to and from the Islands: Bald Eagles, Artic Terns, Common Loons, Common Eiders, White-winged and Surf Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers, Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Heron.
When you’re not busy viewing birds you’ll be capitivated with the spectacular rugged coastline and maybe even a whale!
| Atlantic Puffin Season | |
| May-Early June | Nesting so sightings can be low |
| Mid June to Mid August | Sightings are high |
| Mid to Late August | Getting ready to head out to sea and the numbers will be dropping until they have all left |
| September | They are all back at sea |
| Other sea birds and seals | Mid-May to late August |
| Black Guillemot | May to mid September |
| Razorbill | May to early August |
| Great Cormorant | May to mid September |
| Double-crested Cormorants | May to mid September |
| Herring Gull | May to September |
| Black-legged Kittiwake | May to mid July |
| Ruddy Turnstones | June to August |
| Bald Eagles | May to September |
| Grey Seals – the favourite of young and old! | – at the islands mid June to late October |
What Else?
While in the area you can spend some time to enjoy the ‘Shores of St. Ann’s’
When you get off my boat you can take the Englishtown Ferry, a small 12 car ferry that runs regularly on an ‘on demand’ basis ( $7.00 per car) across the channel and take a scenic drive along part of the Cabot Trail. This stretch of the Trail is home to a variety of Artisan studios. Take a break at one of the many great eateries: The Clucking Hen Deli and The Lobster Galley. You can drive to Cape Smokey and gaze out at the Atlantic and see the Bird Islands from another vantage point.
When you are driving back towards the ferry you can turn right at Barrachois and on this stretch of the Cabot Trail there are some more of the Artisan shops, and the only Gaelic College in North America. This will take you back to the TCH 105.
If you have time, you can take a drive into Baddeck and see why they are a ‘Community in Blooms’ winner (4 blooms !), the Alexander Graham Bell Historic Site, great shops, eateries and maybe even find some local music! This quick taste of the area is sure to have you making plans to come back!