2005 Nova Scotia Birding and Nature Festival - March 17-20

Birding is the fastest growing recreational activity in North America and Nova Scotia, with more than 300 bird species and arguably some of the best birding on the continent, has found itself on the leading edge of a national - or international - trend.

Discover Shelburne County Tourism Association, promoting travel to the most southern tip of the province, is producing the 3rd Annual Nova Scotia Birding & Nature Festival, March 17-20.

Lynne Perry, a long-time birder and executive director of Nova Scotia’s South Shore Tourism Association couldn't be more pleased. "Birding is so much more popular than most people understand," says Perry, "and we have some of the most impressive birding available in North America."

This year's festival features guided birding tours throughout the county with Murray Newell, Donna Ensor, Joan Czapalay and Gary Hartlan, photography workshops with Al Delaney and Linda Ross, community suppers and breakfasts, children's programming and entertainment featuring Oen Kennedy, known for his use of nature and birdsongs in his singing and playing.

Three-day Festival Passes (including all programming, meals, entertainment, taxes, etc) for adults are $99 and three-day Festival Packages which also include accommodations are from $169 per person. Three-day youth passes are $40 and children stay free when sharing accommodations with parents.

Several motels, inns and B&Bs have created special festival "packages", which include all programming plus accommodations. Children stay free for those packages. Community suppers and lobster feeds are part of the program. "We are really excited about the increased amount and range of programming," adds festival coordinator, Lydia Deinstadt.

One of the great attractions of the festival is the Brant goose "fly-away spectacle", when 5-8,000 of this small goose species take flight each evening. They stop for approximately six weeks on Cape Sable Island on their return north to feed off the eel grass around the island. Every night at dusk the Brant fly from one point at The Hawk out to sea where they rest each night. The birds will fly over head of the birders, making it an unforgettable birding spectacle. The area is also a popular birding spot for the American Oystercatcher, piping plover and dovekie.

Kimberley Newman, of Tourism Nova Scotia, says the average birder spent 50% more than the average tourist spent on a stay in the province. Newman says they are actively working to develop Nova Scotia's potential as a birder's destination. Last year SSTA put out a colourful new brochure directed specifically toward birders.

Tom Hince, of Point Pelee, Ontario, the most famous of all birding areas in Canada, was also hired by the province this year to help direct the fledgling birding industry and identified Shelburne County and The Hawk on Cape Sable Island as one of the provinces premiere birding sites. He stressed the protection of the birds and habitat and recommended developing this niche market of the tourism industry, including providing timely and helpful information to birders.

Complete programming, festival package, presenter, scheduling information is available by calling 902-875-1308, via e-mail at birdfest@discovershelburnecounty.com  or online at www.DiscoverShelburneCounty.com 

 

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