NEWFOUNDLAND:
Geology, Seabirds and Natural History
June 22 to July 1, 2008

Photos: Don Freiday

GENERAL INFORMATION

We call this trip an adventure for good reason: with spectacular seabird colonies, boreal forests, and Cambrian fossils, that’s exactly what it will be!  Enjoy a unique natural history tour blending many facets of nature as we examine relationships between the area's geology, and plant and animal communities.

Learn about the death of an ancient ocean and the building of modern North America on a unique natural history tour blending many facets of nature.  We will view thousands of nesting Black-legged Kittiwakes, Atlantic Puffins and Common Murres.  Some "north woods" avian specialties including Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Swainson's Thrush, Pine Grosbeak, along with many nesting warblers are likely on walks through boreal forests blanketed with orchids.  Mammals may include whales and moose.

We will examine (no collecting) some of the oldest hard-shelled fossils on earth, animals that lived in the Pre-cambrian Era, and have an opportunity to collect Cambrian fossils including Trilobites.  Relationships between the geology and plant and animal communities will be the focus of our visit to Gros Morne National Park, a United Nations World Heritage Site.

Whale watching can be amazing; sometimes humpback whales can be observed from land as they lunge-feed.  Often other whale species - minke, dolphin, fin - are also seen. Other mammals may include seals, the world's most southerly caribou herd, moose, snowshoe hare, and possibly black bear. 

When Continents collide, pieces of the ocean floor are occasionally incorporated into the resulting continent. This is the tectonic setting of some of the most unique rocks and resulting ecosystems on Serpentine Barrens. The soils in these barrens contain deficiencies of normal plant nutrients (nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus) and an abundance of metals (including chromium and nickel) which are toxic to many organisms. The result is a truly unique ecosystem found in few places in the world. Participants will be invited to accompany NJAS on a special pre-Newfoundland field trip to the serpentine barrens in Pennsylvania in preparation for our visit to the world-class barrens of Gros Morne National Park.

PACE, WEATHER, AND TRAVEL CONDITIONS:

The pace of the tour will be generally moderate, with the exception of two long driving days, each of which will involve a 4-5 hour drive with only brief stops (Newfoundland is a huge province!) The one strenuous hike, up Gros Morne, will be optional. Travel during the tour will be via a small passenger coach.  Participation will be limited to 15 people.

Newfoundland day-time summer temperatures normally range from 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, while nights may go a few degrees lower. Inland, daytime highs could reach the 80s (F.); along the coast, with an overcast sky and onshore wind, daytime highs could be in the 50s. Early morning temperatures can be in the 30's (F.), particularly inland. Rain, wind, and fog are always possible, as the weather is quite changeable. It is not unusual for people to wear T-shirts and shorts while viewing 15-story-tall icebergs. Along with the clothing you would regularly bring, take a warm sweater, raingear, and light boots. As with any wild place, there is a diversity of insect life. We spend most of our time in coastal areas where there are very few pests. Even when we go inland the flies are seldom a serious problem. For the boat trips, we have the flexibility to avoid rough seas, and usually the waters are calm enough that motion sickness is not an issue.  However, if you think you may prone to this, be sure to see your doctor for a recommended remedy.

Additional information about the tour, with specific meeting times, a list of participants, addresses of motels, lists of things to bring, a reading list, a list of possible birds to be seen, further information about weather, dress, and so forth, will be mailed to all participants well in advance of the tour.

DATES:  Sunday, June 22, 2008 (Arrive in St. John’s) to Tuesday, July 1, 2008
(flights home from Deer Lake).

PRICE: Cost for this tour is $3,595 U.S. per person, double occupancy. Single supplement (payable if you request single occupancy or if we cannot find you a suitable roommate), is $680.00. U.S. A deposit of $500.00 will hold your place until April 22, 2008, when full payment becomes due.

PRICE INCLUDES: Cost includes 9 nights accommodations, all breakfasts and lunches (not evening meals), in-country transportation, 2 boat tours (Terra Nova and Witless Bay), admissions at the parks and various stops, airport pick-up and drop-off, and expert leadership.  Tour begins St. John’s, and ends in Deer Lake, Newfoundland (airfare not included).  Note: Meals are a highlight, and feature Newfoundland specialties such as partridgeberry tarts and baked apple pies.

Alcohol and items of a personal nature are not included.  However, other than transportation to Newfoundland, most evening meals and items like the possible dinner theater in Gros Morne or St. John's, the guests will have no additional trip expenses.

TOUR LEADERS:

Michael Pollock Michael Pollock is a teacher-naturalist and habitat restoration specialist with NJAS's Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary where he conducts education programs, including a lecture series and fieldtrips to examine New Jersey Geology. Prior to moving to New Jersey in 1999, he lived in Oregon where he earned a degree in Geology at Portland State University. Michael has long been interested in the relationship between plants and related ecosystems, and the associated bedrock geology. While in Oregon, he led week-long college natural history classes in the Oregon High Desert and Elderhostel classes in birding and geology in the San Juan Islands of Washington.  He has also conducted geology and natural history tours throughout the tectonically active areas of the Pacific Northwest. He has co-led two successful NJAS Nature Tours back to the Pacific Northwest in 2005 and 2007.

Wildland Tours is one of Newfoundland’s most experienced and respected natural history tour organizers. Their tour guides have extensive local knowledge as well as natural history and guiding experience in many parts of the world. Wildland Tours maintains ongoing relationships with lodging and restaurant facilities throughout the province.  They conduct dozens of tours throughout the year both for their own clientele and non-profit organizations from around the world.

For tour itineraries, to register, or for more information contact:

NJAS Eco-Travel at: (908)-204-8998
9 Hardscrabble Road
Bernardsville, NJ 07924
or email travel@njaudubon.org

If you are not a member and would like to become one, consider Joining New Jersey Audubon Society.