Flora and Fauna
Whales & Dolphins
If you have never seen whales up close, you are in for a memorable experience. Our whale watching tours take visitors out into the Bay of Fundy to see the whales and dolphins up close in their natural habitat.
Humpback Whales, Finback Whales, Minke Whales, Harbour Porpoises and White-Sided Dolphins are common. Occasionally the endangered Atlantic Right Whale, Pilot Whales and White-Beaked Dolphins are seen. Very rarely, a Blue Whale, Beluga Whale, Sperm Whale or Orca (Killer) Whale is spotted.
It's thrilling to see whales spouting when they surface for air, or spyhopping in apparent curiosity, and a whale breaching mere feet from the boat is an unforgettable, awe-inspiring brush with Nature! To observe these gentle giants of the deep in person might even be a life-changing experience for some.
Seals
To learn about the Grey Seals and Harbour Seals that make their home on Brier Island please visit Seal Cove.
Birds
Bring your binoculars and experience the best of Nova Scotia bird watching along the Bay of Fundy! As Brier Island is located on the Atlantic Flyway Migratory Route, many species of birds visit its shores and feed in off-shore waters making it a popular destination for watching numerous species of sea birds, shore birds and waterfowl.
With more the 170 species spotted (including rarities such as cattle egret, Western kingbird, scarlet tanager, Mississippi kite), Brier Island will surprise and delight the avid or casual bird watcher. Warblers, owls, hawks, eagles, petrels, gannets, ducks, shearwaters, phalaropes, turkey vultures, songbirds and many others can be found here at different times of the year.
The Fall migration attracts bird watchers from all over North America and Europe as it is one of the best times for birdwatching, especially raptors such as hawks.
Island Plants
Brier Island was named after the Brier Rose that grows profusely across the island. The island's micro-climate allows for a proliferation of unique and rare plants varieties, including Bluebead Lily, Pink Ladyslipper, Fireweed, Yellow Iris, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Pitcher Plant, and the endangered Eastern Mountain Avens. A large portion of the island is a nature preserve administered by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, helping to protect these plants and maintain biodiversity.
