Fishing Point and the surrounding area have an abundant variety
of wildlife and spectacular scenery which will captivate the traveler
while visiting this area throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons.
Wildlife such as Polar Bears and Seals in the spring to Whales,
Moose and Caribou throughout the summer and fall seasons are just
a few of the many creatures that are either residents or frequent
visitors to this area.
Spectacular coastlines which are awash by the mighty North Atlantic
Ocean provide for incredible scenery and exhilarating hiking experiences.
The ocean currents transport hundreds of Icebergs pass Fishing Point
during the spring and early summer.
Not only do the land and sea offer an immense variety of interesting
sights on Fishing Point. The air also has its attractions, including
many species of sea birds. In springtime the colourful black-white-and-gold
male Eiders together with their brown-and-black mates and chicks
can be viewed from our shores. Fishing Point provides opportunities
to view the swarms of Murres , Gulls, Kittiwakes, Razorbills and
Black Guillemots that gather in the bays and along the coast to mate.
Arctic Terns arrive all the way from the southern hemisphere to breed.
It is in remote cliff faces in the surrounding area that they nest
and raise a family. Over the summer Bald Eagles, raven and other
birds of prey return to their nests. They are drawn to the area
by the non-stop activities of the nesting sea birds. You may witness
an Osprey drop from the sky and catch its prey in its razor-sharp
claws or the Northern Gannet plunge headfirst into the Atlantic
Ocean in pursuit of capelin or mackerel. During the autumn, thousands
of northern birds such as loons, a variety of ducks, and many other
water birds arrive to feed on the abundant stocks of plankton and
the fish that are also attracted to this region.
Whales of Fishing Point and Other Mighty Mammals of the
SeaBack >>
The tip of Newfoundland 's Northern Peninsula is located at the
mouth of the Strait of Belle Isle . This strait acts as a "conveyor
belt" of fish moving between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the
Atlantic Ocean . Many bird and whale species take advantage of this
and so spend considerable time around the tip of the Northern Peninsula
near St. Anthony, L'Anse aux Meadows and Quirpon Island . There are
17 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises observed in Newfoundland
and Labrador . These marine mammals are some of the most impressive
and fascinating animals in our coastal waters.
Humpbacks are very common and favourites of viewers due to their
spectacular tail displays. Humpbacks are the most well known baleen
whales arriving off coastal Newfoundland in late spring from their
Caribbean winter breeding grounds. They reach a body length of 53
feet and feed on schooling capelin.
Other common baleen whales in Newfoundland waters are Minke and
Fin. Minke whales are the smallest baleen whales in the Northwest
Atlantic reaching a length of about 30 feet. They are common in inshore
Newfoundland waters in summer. They are curious and will often approach
boats. The Fin whale reaches 75 feet in length and is a common and
widely distributed whale in the Northwest Atlantic . Killer whales
are toothed whales that may be found in Newfoundland waters from
July to September. These whales reach a length of 30 feet and appear
in inshore Newfoundland waters in small numbers. Other marine mammals
are an important component of their diet.
The harbour porpoise, called "puffin pigs" by Newfoundlanders
only reach a length of 5 feet. They occur close inshore and usually
show up in our waters in July.
White-sided dolphins (also known as the jumper) reach about 9 feet
in length. They sometimes gather in herds of up to a thousand animals.
These may be sometimes seen bow-riding fast vessels and tour boats.
In season, you can see all of these whales up close as they live
and play in their natural habitat. These amazing creatures will delight
old and young alike and the sight of a breaching whale is sure to
leave you breathless.
Over the years, the rugged terrain of Fishing Point has been the
host of several polar bears. The polar bears that visit this area
are from the Davis Strait population, which is estimated to occupy
1400 bears. They have been categorized as a potentially threatened
species. They accompany the heavy pack-ice that occasionally drifts
further to the south than normal during spring break-up. They travel
in search of seals, which are plentiful during the spring. Seals
are especially easy targets during this time as they climb onto the
land-fast ice or ice pans to pup. Sometimes the bears come ashore
in areas where the pack ice melts during the summer and they can
no longer hunt seals.
