Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is Latin for ‘New Scotland’. The population of the province is just over one million people. It has the largest population of Canada’s Atlantic Provinces. It is the country’s second-most densely populated province and second-smallest province by area, both after Prince Edward Island. Its area of just over 55,000 square kilometres (c.21,000 square miles) includes Cape Breton Island and 3,800 other coastal islands. The Nova Scotia peninsula is connected to the rest of North America by the Isthmus of Chignecto, on which the province’s land border with New Brunswick is located. The province borders the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and east, and is separated from Prince Edward Island and the island of Newfoundland by the Northumberland and Cabot straits, respectively.
Nova Scotia’s capital and largest municipality is Halifax, which is home to over 45% of the province’s population. Halifax is the twelfth-largest census metropolitan area in Canada, the largest municipality in Atlantic Canada, and Canada’s second-largest coastal municipality after Vancouver.
Lake near Halifax – ©TravelingOtter Houston Texas USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Nova Scotia lies in the mid-temperate zone and, although the province is almost surrounded by water, the climate is closer to continental climate rather than maritime. The winter and summer temperature extremes of the continental climate are moderated by the ocean. However, winters are cold enough to be classified as continental, that is still being nearer to freezing point than inland areas to the west. The Nova Scotian climate is in many ways similar to the central Baltic Sea coast in Northern Europe, only wetter and snowier. This is true although Nova Scotia is some fifteen parallels further south. Areas not on the Atlantic coast experience warmer summers more typical of inland areas, and winter lows are a little colder.
Birding Nova Scotia
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 neighbouring 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, are all different in terms of scenery and character. 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 areas of Halifax/Dartmouth, and 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. The main human activities have been traditionally fishing, farming and forestry, although new industries, e.g. wine-making, green energy etc., are gaining strength.
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 ‘Acadian’ forest (Maple, Oak, Red Spruce etc.) inland and farther south. There has been a lot of clear-cutting in recent years. The narrow strip of the Annapolis Valley is largely agricultural, and there are extensive areas of freshwater and salt-marsh. There are numerous lakes and rivers, many of which are remote and hard to access, but some of which have cottages and roads around the edge, thus contributing to the wide variety of birding habitat.
The weather can be very changeable from place to place, day to day, or even hour to hour, and nowadays summers tend to be hot and humid, and winters tend to be cool and wet. In recent years there has been more rain and freezing rain than snow, and snow cover, which is usually from late January till late April, has been patchy. Storms, with high winds and much precipitation, are frequent in Autumn (fall) and Winter, and much anticipated by birders for the vagrants they sometimes bring. Fog can be a problem, especially around the Southwest coast, mostly in spring and summer.
Birding can be good at any time of the year, depending on the habitat, specific season, and sought-after species. The physical location makes the province an excellent area to attract vagrants from farther west, that eventually stall against the coast, particular in late Autumn and early Winter and the occasional Eurasian vagrant. From early May to late July, the woods are home to migratory passerines (as well as a large population of biting insects). Ticks, which can carry a variety of diseases, are widespread, but can be avoided or removed with appropriate precautions. Autumn migration tends to be more protracted, and brings the shorebird migration, widespread on the coasts, and of world importance for some species in specific locations. Headlands and coastal woods are often a good place to search for small flocks of migrating passerines. There is also an excellent raptor migration in some favoured spots, especially in the western portion of the province. Seabird watching can be excellent all year round, but tends to be most interesting in Winter, where sometimes large numbers of divers (loons), grebes, auks and sea-ducks can be seen from shore, and wintering gulls are widespread.
As the habitat and environment are so varied within a small area, a stroll along a dirt road, or alongside one of the many lakes, in a small town park, or along one of the many cycling trails, can be as good as many of the places listed below, especially in early Summer or Autumn. Sitting on a cold Winter’s day on almost any rocky headland and looking out over the ocean in winter can often produce pelagics, such as alcids, flying by close to shore.
Tourism Nova Scotia has a comprehensive guide to activities, accommodations, restaurants etc., the Doers and Dreamers’ Guide- available on line to download, or at any local tourist office. A perusal of local E-bird recent checklists, hotspots and bar codes will yield more detailed and current birding information.
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Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Belle Isle Marshes and Wallace Bay National Wildlife Area
InformationSatellite ViewAlthough 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, with Bobolinks and many passerines in Summer. Amherst Point is close to the New Brunswick border, Bell Isle is just N.E. of Annapolis Royal, and Wallace Bay is east of Pugwash. -
Brier Island
WebsiteSatellite ViewOff the tip of Digby Neck, accessible by 2 small car ferries, Westport is a village with accommodations, and varied habitat for birding all year round, although the best season is late Summer and Fall, when 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 Right); plus excellent seabird watching - often with huge numbers of Shearwaters, Phalaropes and the occasional Jaeger and Skua being regular highlights. Later in fall there is an excellent Raptor migration over the Island. Large "kettles" mostly of Broad-winged hawks are the highlights, with rarities being regular. The best spot for passerine migration is Northern Point at dawn. Pond Cove Beach is the best spot for Fall shorebird migration, often also including provincial rarities. -
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Facebook PageSatellite ViewHas a huge area of upland and coastal habitat, including much true wilderness. Scenery, especially on the Cabot Trail, is spectacular. Most of the walking trails are easy, and the visitor centre is a mine of information. This is where Bicknell's Thrush occurs, singing at dawn in June, although the numbers are now very low, and most of the specific locations where they occur are closely monitored and guarded. Cape Breton probably has the biggest variety of warblers, particularly the more boreal species (Cape May, Mourning, Blackburnian etc.) in the Province. Spruce grouse are more likely to been here than elsewhere. There is also a good chance of meeting a moose on your travels here. There are 2 rocky islands offshore that hold a breeding colony of Black-legged kittiwakes, Razorbill and Atlantic Puffin, easily accessible by tour boats. -
Cape Sable Island, Yarmouth & West Pubnico Peninsula
InformationSatellite ViewAt the south-west tip of the province, sticking out into the Atlantic, and accessible by road, are several peninsulas which have 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 Fall. Cape sable Island is not to be confused with Sable Island, which is a long way off shore in the North Atlantic, and rarely accessible. Good spots include the The Hawk and South Side Beach (see Satellite view) on Cape Sable Island. There are some extensive beaches, on which Piping plovers nest, and which can hold a large variety of migrant shorebirds in Fall. These are usually the only places to find American oystercatchers in Canada. Offshore are Bon Portage, and Seal Islands, both with banding (ringing) stations, and Seal in particular is a Mecca for rarity hunters. Unfortunately at this time both are hard to access, but occasionally visits can be arranged.. The wharf at Lower West Pubnico is an excellent place to find terns in Summer, including Roseate, which nest on nearby islands. There is a trail around the wind farm at Pubnico Point, which is also good for passerine migration. -
Grand Pre - King's County
InformationSatellite ViewAn area of agricultural land reclaimed from the sea, with an interesting history - well illustrated by the local signage and visitor centre. From mid-July to mid-October at high tide, the spectacle of thousands of sandpipers wheeling about in formation, often being harassed by Peregrines and Merlins, is a great wildlife spectacle. Go to the Guzzle, at the N.W. point of land on the satellite view at hight tide for the best views. In winter the area is excellent for many types of raptors, and flocks of Horned larks, Lapland longspurs etc. Nearby in the town of Kentville is Miner’s Marsh- a surprisingly productive mini-wetland, with a good trail. -
Halifax & Surroundings
WebsiteSatellite ViewThe province’s largest city is the hub to access most of the province, and the usual entry point by air. There are some specific areas with excellent birding within a half-hour drive the city centre, as well as some within the city. Most notable are – Hartlen Point, south-east of Dartmouth – a Fall migrant hot spot for passerines and shorebirds (as of late 2024 birders have permission to walk around the edge of the golf course and along the trails by the military installations, but check with local birders as that may change)., Rainbow Haven, a little farther but similar, and Duncan’s Cove and Chebucto Head, on the Halifax side of the Harbour, for Fall migrants and Sea-watching. -
Nova Scotia Provincial Parks
WebsiteNova 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. They are accessible to walkers all year round, but most are closed to vehicles and campers from mid-September to mid-May.
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Richard Stern (2018)
Kentville - Nova Scotia | sternrichard@gmail.com
https://museum.novascotia.ca
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Number of bird species: 491
(As at May 2024)Provincial Bird - Osprey Pandion haliaetus
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Avibase
PDF ChecklistThis checklist includes all bird species found in Nova Scotia , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them. -
Nova Scotia Bird Society
PDF ChecklistField Checklist of Birds Regularly Found in Nova Scotia and Surrounding Coastal Waters -
Wikipedia
Annotated ListThis is a list of bird species confirmed in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Unless otherwise noted, the list is that of the Nova Scotia Bird Society (NSBS) as of 2021.
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All the Birds of Nova Scotia
| By Ian McLaren | Gaspereau Press | 2012 | Hardback | 281 pages, 34 plates with 124 colour photos | ISBN: 9781554471164 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 | 2005 | Paperback | 554 pages, maps | Out of Print | ISBN: 9781551095196 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Birds of Nova Scotia
| By Robie W Tufts, Roger Tory Peterson, John A Crosby & John Henry Dick | Nimbus Publishing | 1986 | Paperback | 478 pages, 40 colour plates, 30 line illustration | ISBN: 9781551096445 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Nova Scotia Birds
| (A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species) | by James R Kavanagh | Waterford Press | 2019 | Unbound | 12 pages, 140 colour illustrations, 2 colour maps | ISBN: 9781620053669 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Nova Scotia Wildlife
| By Julie Towers | Nimbus Publishing | 1995 | Paperback | 96 pages, B/w illustrations | Out of Print | ISBN: 9781551091242 Buy this book from NHBS.com
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Nova Scotia Bird Society Information
WebsiteThe Nova Scotia Bird Society maintains an active Facebook page, with multiple daily sightings and photos posted. A perusal of the most recent few days will give visiting birders an idea of what is around. For more detailed lists, most of the province's birders contribute sightings to eBird, and this is a great source for seeing exactly what has been around, and where. Nearly all keen birders resident in Nova Scotia are happy to take visitors birding, and to give advice. The best source for accommodations, where to go and what to do other than watch birds is HERE and there is a print version free at all tourist bureaus.
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Atlantic Bird Observatory
Observatory WebsiteSatellite ViewThe Atlantic Bird Observatory has been studying migrating birds since 1995. Affiliated with Acadia University and a member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring network, it is located on Bon Portage Island, NS, Canada. Bon Portage Island is located off the southwest coast – just 3 km off the southwest tip, near Cape Sable Island. Island access is via a small outboard and a fishing boat.
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Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
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
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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 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. We meet in the evenings for informative and entertaining talks once a month on the third Monday (except in July and August). Our field trips are scheduled irregularly but we usually have a couple every month except in the winter. -
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 Bird Society
WebsiteThe Nova Scotia Bird Society has been a focus for birders in this province for 60 years. Serving about 600 members, we have much to offer anyone interested in wild birds. Browse through our web site for a sample of what we do, and feel free to send us e-mail if you would like more information. The society has a very popular Facebook Page followed by 10% of the province's population! It also has a popular Twitter Account. -
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. -
Sable Island Preservation trust
WebsiteSable Island Preservation Trust was established as a non-profit, charitable organization in 1997 in response to Environment Canada’s announcement that it was closing the main station on Sable Island. The founding members believed that a continuous human presence was essential for the long-term preservation of Sable Island.
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IBA Cape Sable Island
WebpageSatellite ViewEastern 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…. -
MBS Amherst Point
Facebook PageSatellite ViewAmherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary (MBS) lies five km southwest of Amherst at the head of the Bay of Fundy. It was established in 1947 with the agreement of the landowners. However, to afford permanent habitat protection, the land was later acquired by the Canadian Wildlife Service (1973–1974) and designated as a component of the Chignecto National Wildlife Area. The landscape is a mosaic of ponds, marshes, forests and old farm fields... -
NP Cape Breton Highlands
WebpageSatellite ViewThe 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. -
NP Kejimkujik
InformationSatellite ViewKejimkujik… protects 381 sq km of inland lakes and forests, and 22 sq km of rugged Atlantic coastline (Kejumkujik's Seaside Adjunct). -
Nature Reserves
Interactive listsSatellite ViewNature reserves are areas selected to preserve and protect, in perpetuity, representative (typical) and special natural ecosystems, plant and animal species, features and natural processes. Scientific research and education are the primary uses of nature reserves and recreation is generally restricted.
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NS-RBA · Nova Scotia Rare Bird Alert
Sightings & NewsSightings in Nova Scotia -
eBird Nova Scotia
Sightings & NewsRecent rarities, bird counts etc.
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Eagle-Eye
Tour OperatorAutumn produces some fantastic birding in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia is strategically located along the Atlantic Flyway, one of the major bird migration routes in North America. The southern shores of Nova Scotia act as a hotspot stopover for hundreds of migrating warblers, shorebirds and raptors, before they make their way south. -
Fieldguides
Tour OperatorNewfoundland & Nova Scotia - Boreal specialties, seabird colonies & numerous breeding landbirds in the beautiful Canadian Maritimes -
Heatherlea
Tour OperatorThis corner of Nova Scotia is one of the best places in the world to see whales in close-up, and especially to see Humpback Whales in good numbers. We also expect Fin Whale, Minke Whale and White-sided Dolphin as we take four whale-watching boat trips spread during the week. Our key target will be the endangered Northern Right Whale, not guaranteed but we have excellent chances. -
Speyside Wildlife
Tour OperatorExploration of Brier Island including Northlight and Pond Cove areas. Days 4-7 Flexible four days with further birding hikes; second full day boat trip in Bay of Fundy; one day exploration of Long Island (Boar’s Light and Balancing Rock); third boat trip (half day) from Brier Island. -
Tropical Birding Tours
Tour OperatorCanada is an ecotourism dream. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland are particularly inviting, and our 11-day departure will visit many beautiful locations across the two regions. While we will seek loons, eagles, shorebirds, and waterfowl, we’ll devote special time to songbirds and seabirds. Warblers, flycatchers, and vireos drip from trees like overnight dew, and we’ll bear witness to tens of thousands of gannets, hundreds of thousands of puffins, and millions of murres at breathtaking breeding colonies.
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2014 [07 July] - Chris Benesh - Newfoundland & Nova Scotia
ReportThe 2014 Newfoundland and Nova Scotia Tour could easily be remembered as being a tour of extremes.... -
2015 [07 July] - Chris Benesh - Newfoundland & Nova Scotia
ReportThe 2015 Newfoundland & Nova Scotia got off to a bit of rocky start with summer showers making us keep rain jackets and umbrellas close at hand. Yet, despite that, we had a terrific boat trip out into Witless Bay where we witnessed one of nature's greatest spectacles... -
2016 [07 July] - Chris Benesh & Doug Gochfeld - Newfoundland & Nova Scotia
ReportThe Canadian Maritimes have some of the most beautiful landscapes on the continent, and they really come alive with bird life in the summer. We were fortunate to be able to enjoy this bounty of nature with a combination of a great group of people and excellent weather... -
2017 [07 July] - Chris Benesh & Cory Gregory
Report...We continued out to Blackhead and Cape Spear where we chanced into a singing Gray-cheeked Thrush, enjoyed some views of whales offshore, found some Pine Grosbeaks high in a spruce, and saw our first gannets flying by offshore. The boat trip out of Bay Bulls gave us our first taste of seabirds and folks had great looks at the quintessential Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, and even a Thick-billed Murre trying to pretend it was a Common Murre... -
2018 [05 May] - Jean Hugé
PDF Report...En route, we stopped in Windsor at Howard Dill’s Farm, home to the world’s greatest pumpkins (!), and got views of American Robin and Ring-necked Pheasant. Another stop near Walton along Minas Basin yielded American Wigeons and our first Belted Kingfishers of the trip. Black Scoters were swimming in the bay...
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Harbourview Inn
AccommodationTrips down Digby Neck will reward the birder with glimpses of many marine and other birds, including the legendary puffin.
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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. -
NatureNS
WebsiteA peruse of these archives may well prove useful to the intending visitor. -
Recent Postings
WebsiteArchives of rarity reports -
Sable Island Green Horse Society
WebsiteThe Sable Island Institute’s mission is to support and promote the protection and conservation of the natural and cultural values of Sable Island through research, collaboration, and education. The Institute is a multidisciplinary not-for-profit organization based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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Mark & Sandra Dennis - Cape Sable Birding
BLOGBirder, naturalist and can’t grow a decent beard. As I write this I’m 57 years old, originally from the UK but moved to Canada in 2003 with my artist and scientist wife Sandra. In 2015 we made a move from Quebec to Nova Scotia and now I will be searching the nooks and crannies of the Cape Sable area for birds, butterflies and dragonflies.
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Photographer - Richard Stern
GalleryAlbums of birds that he has photographed in NS recently.