Nature

Visitors and residents enjoy and appreciate the variety, abundance and beauty of Nova Scotia’s natural resources. Wildlife in the wild includes whales, seals, shore birds, eagles, deer. With its spectacular shoreline, glorious beaches and beautiful forest walks, the province is a nature lover’s paradise.

National Parks
Kejimkujik National Park has a network of lakes and rivers for canoeists and kayakers, plus rolling hills and forests for hiking and rambling. Sought-after campsites, accessible only by water, are booked up almost a year in advance. “Keji”, as it’s know by locals, also has a seaside adjunct at Port Joli.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park features some of the most fantastic scenery in the world, and the renowned Cabot Trail drive scenic highway.

Useful links:
Parks Canada official website
www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ns/kejimkujik/index_E.asp
www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ns/cbreton/index_E.asp

Provincial Parks
Woodlands, campgrounds, freshwater beaches and saltwater beaches - Nova Scotia’s multitude of provincial parks offer a wide range of facilities and attractions

For detailed information, the provincial government’s website offers a detailed guide to all the parks: www.parks.gov.ns.ca

Whalewatching and Marine Life
Experience the maritime thrill of watching whales in the Bay of Fundy, off the coast of Cape Breton or along the popular South Shore. More than 25 companies around the province offer whale watching excursions. (They throw in the seals and sea birds as a bonus.) Common species are finback, pilot, minke and humpback whales. In the waters around Nova Scotia there are 21 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises, plus six species of seals and walruses, and leatherback turtles. The viewing season (depending on species) ranges from spring through autumn.

Useful links:
www.whalewatchinginfo.com/
www.ecologyaction.ca/
whale.wheelock.edu/Welcome.html
museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/nhns/t11/t11-12.htm government information website about whales that can be found in the waters around Nova Scotia
museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/nhns/t11/t11-12.pdf click here to download PDF document about government about whales, dolphins, seals, walruses and porpoises.

Birdwatching
The osprey is the provincial bird, but the Atlantic puffin also wins votes in the popularity polls. Hang a hummingbird feeder at your cottage to attract ruby-throated hummingbirds and you won’t even need to leave your deck!
Stroll along Cherry Hill beach or at the Kejimkujik Seaside Adjunct and you might glimpse the rare piping plover scooting along the sand.

Even if you never thought birdwatching was for you, you’ll be converted in Nova Scotia.

A number of specialist companies offer guided birdwatching experiences:
Brier Island Whale and Seabird Cruises
Walking the Wildside Nature Tours in Baddeck, Cape Breton – “for hikers and walkers with inquisitive minds”

Useful links:
www.camacdonald.com/birding/canovascotia.htm
museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/nsbirds/ - official government guide to East Coast birds
museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/nsbirds/b_sites.htm - government guide to good birdwatching locations in the province
www.birding.com/wheretobird/novascotia.asp - enthusiasts’ recommendations to the birdwatching hotspots in the province.
http://nsbs.chebucto.org/ - official website of the Nova Scotia Bird Society with information on local contacts and rare bird alert