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Prince Edward Island,
Atlantic Canada Birding Tour
Five Nights / Five Days for the beginner-intermediate birder who would like to discover Prince Edward Island.

Tour Links

• About our Birding Tours
• Itinerary
• Pricing
• Weather and What to Bring
• How to get here
• What’s Included in the Package
• What is Not Included in the Package
• Spouse Options
• Reservations, Cancellation, Payment and Refunds
• Contact Information
• Health and Safety
• Tour Cancellation
• Travel Considerations
• Tour Information and Reports
• Assumption of Risk and Liability

2009 Tours
With guide Blake Maybank

Tour Dates

May 30th - June 4th

Sept 19th - Sept 24th

Toll Free
1-800-227-9943

Email: Birding Tours

Terms and Conditions

About our Birding Tours

For those of you who have not had the opportunity to discover Prince Edward Island, its beauty, its people and its nature, you are in for a treat. Eastern PEI is very much a rural landscape dotted with quaint and delightful harbour villages. The coastline hosts over 30 white and red sand natural beaches and the river systems, forested woodlots and farmland is home to over 330 species of birds.

This tour is designed for the intermediate and beginner birder who would like to experience a wide selection of birds and diverse habitats which include wetlands ocean shore, mixed and coniferous forest. We keep the size of the group to a maximum of 6. With a smaller number of participants everyone gets personal attention, there is a better chance of everyone seeing the birds. The tour must have four to proceed.

You have the freedom of choosing your accommodations: cottages or B&B. You can check out the accommodations by clicking on the cottages or Bed & Breakfast on the menu at the top of this page. Please note here may be other guests in the lodgings and at meals.

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Itinerary (Subject to change)

For the 2009 tours we ask that you arrive on Saturday. Depending on the time you arrive you may have time to walk around the property and do a little birding on your own or just relax and watch the birds around the feeders. We would like for everyone to arrive by 3 - 4 PM at the latest. We can then have a little time before dinner to get to know one another over a beverage and a few snacks.

Day 1: Sunday After breakfast we will make our way to Greenwich National Park. The Greenwich Dunes area is a 900 acre natural treasure internationally recognized for its unique large and mobile parabolic dune system, its wide variety of bird species and rare plants.
Before heading home we will visit beautiful St. Peters Bay and the Visitor Information/Nature Centre. We share in a relaxing BBQ dinner at 6:00 PM while we review the planned activities for the next few days.

Day 2: Monday
After an early morning breakfast (6:00 AM) we’re off to Mount Stewart and marsh birds are on the agenda. One of our goals is to find the elusive Sora. Other likely suspects may be Eastern Kingbird, Common Moorhen, and Common Terns.
From there we go to Tracadie Bay where shore birds and pelagic birds are on the watch list. After looking at various Warbler species at Brudenell Island, we will have a picnic lunch along the Brudenell River.
In the afternoon we stop at Knox’s Dam for possible Waterfowl, Kingfisher, Bald eagles, and forest birds. We continue our drive back via Panmure Island, Poverty Beach and Graham’s Pond to look for shore birds and waterfowl.
Dinner is at 6:00 pm.
We will have an Owl Prowl /Night sounds evening, which is conditional on calm weather.

Day 3: Tuesday
Today will be a full day in the field. We will have breakfast at 6:00 AM and then head towards East Point (75 minute drive), a unique landfall of many bird species. We will visit Black Pond and Leslie’s Pond and enjoy a picnic lunch at the lighthouse. We will visit Hermanville where we will look for Sharp-tailed Grouse in the blueberry fields. We will continue following rt. 16 and look for shore birds and with some luck; Osprey and Bald Eagles near the many ponds and marshes along the north shore.
We will arrive back at Country Charm between 5-6 PM. After dinner we can work on our check list and compare notes and share highlights of the day. If you have cameras and would like to show off your images from the day we can assemble in the activity centre and load them up on the computer and have a slide show.

Day 4: Wednesday
Up with the birds once again and this morning is a very short ride to
MacClure Pond and Eagle View golf course and interpretive centre. We will walk the interpretive trail and then visit the interpretive centre.
We will then make our way to the south shore and Camp Buchan marsh where we will keep an eye out for Northern Harrier. We continue on to Cameron’s Island and Point Prim lighthouse where we will have our picnic.
After lunch we will go to MacPhail Woods for a “gardening for birds tour” with Gary Schneider. The MacPhail Woods Ecological Forestry Project combines protection of the natural area along the streams with wildlife enhancement, forest stewardship, watershed protection, environmental education and ecological research. We will visit the nature centre and take a walk through the woods and hear and see the intricate relationship between the MacPhail native birds and the forest.
We will enjoy dinner at 6:00 pm

Day 5: Thurday
This morning we will discover Cape Bear and Beach Point, which are only few minutes away. At Murray Head we will look for spring migrants and observe Gannets and Terns feeding of shore. We then continue on along rt. 18 towards Wood Islands to find shorebirds in the marsh. Via Klondike Rd. a well know heritage road, we make our way towards Murray Harbour to have lunch and share our bird stories of the past week. 
Our ends after lunch

This itinerary may change due to unforeseen circumstances. We would be very happy to customize an itinerary based on interests.

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Tour Pricing

There are a number of pricing options for you.
Accommodations in the B&B or Deluxe Cottages is Cnd $1,446.00
Accommodations in a one bedroom cottage is Cnd $1,296.00
Accommodations in a two bedroom cottage is Cnd $1,346.00
Prices are based on double occupancy.
Singe occupancy supplement is $300
Spousal (non-birder) tag-along add 50% to the price above. Example: you choose the B&B at $1,446 and your spouse stays for $723. Total is $2,169.00. (Terms and conditions below under Spousal Options)
All prices are in Canadian Dollars
Taxes are extra.

Deposit required on booking

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Weather and what to bring

Weather in Prince Edward Island in September is generally very nice. September is generally fairly dry. Can be cool in the mornings and evenings with daytime temperatures reaching 20–22° C - 68° F. Grass can be damp in the mornings

What to bring: good walking shoes and weather proof shoes for early mornings or in case we get a damp day. Wind breaker for times near the ocean on cool breezy days. A hat to keep your thoughts warm. Light rain gear is always good insurance. If we bring all the bad weather gear we won’t have any bad weather…. And of coarse your binoculars and cameras. Take lots of images. We will be happy to burn your images to CD if your cards get full.

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How to get here?

There are several air carries that fly direct into Charlottetown. From within Canada Charlottetown is serviced by Air Canada, & WestJet, usually out of Toronto or connector flights from Halifax, NS or Montreal PQ.

From the US there are direct flights from Detroit via Northwest and Boston via Delta. These flights are not year round so check the schedules early.

If Schedules are better you can fly into Halifax and then drive 1.5 hours to the Caribou – Wood Islands Ferry (75 minute Crossing) and then a 20 minute drive to Forest and Stream Cottages / Country Charm B&B.

Flying into Charlottetown leaves you with a 50 minute drive from the airport. Rental cars are available at the airport but please make sure you book ahead.

If you are traveling from the US please check with your airlines to make sure you have all the proper identification required. Passports are required now to re-enter the US if traveling by air.

If arriving by car from the USA, be aware that our speed limits. We do not encourage speeds of 100 mph, the limit is usually 100 km or less per hour. 100 kms/hour is about 60 miles per hour.

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What is included in your package?

What is not included in your package?

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Spouse Option

A spousal option is available to accommodate your partner that prefers not to participate in the actual birding. A special half price partner package is available for spouses sharing a room with you. Spouses are included in the group morning and evening meals. They have access to all the amenities of the property including the boats, trails, hot tub, and will be given 4 hours of bike rentals. We will be happy to advise and help the spouse with touring suggestions including lighthouses, beaches, hopping and other activities. You will need a car to tour and discover the island or go shopping.

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Reservations, Cancellation, Payment and Refunds

Reservations require a deposit of $400 CND per person of which $50 is non-refundable. Reservations accompanied with a deposit are accepted on a first come first served bases. Telephone and email reservations are accepted with the deposit being made with a Credit Card. Signed registration forms must be mailed within 7 days of reservation. Reservations can also be mailed along with a money order or cheque for the deposit.

The balance of the tour price must be received 10 weeks before the tour date.

Cancellation and Refunds: For cancellations prior to 10 weeks in advance of the tour you will receive your deposit and any portion of the tour costs less $50. For cancellations prior to 8 weeks in advance you will forfeit your deposit of $400 but any additions payments towards the tour price will be refunded. For cancellation less than 8 weeks prior to the tour the cancellation fee will be 60% of the total tour cost.

We would recommend that you purchase individual travel insurance to protect yourselves against unforeseen circumstances that would result in canceling your tour with us.

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Contact Information

Our telephone numbers are (902) 962-3537 or
toll-free (800) 227-9943.
Our fax number is (902) 962-2130.

Our E-mail address is birding@countrycharmpei.com

Mailing Address is:
Forest and Stream Cottages
446 Fox River Road
Murray Harbour, PE
C0A 1V0

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Health and Safety

Your health and safety, and that of the group is of high priority. Our tours may take us on walks over uneven, rough and rocky grounds and beaches. We will be outdoors for the better part of the day with slower paced walking for up to 3 to 4 hours at a time with frequent stops to observe the birds and nature. When traveling from site to site we will be seated in a 7 to 12 passenger van for up to 1.5 hours at a time. Please evaluate any physical limitation which may hamper or restrict your full involvement and enjoyment of the tour. 

When registering please disclose in writing any physical limitations that you may have. Also any dietary requirements that we should be aware of.

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Tour Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a tour due to unforeseen circumstances or if reservations do not meet our minimum requirements of 4 participants. Tour cancellation due to insufficient registrations will be made 7 weeks in advance of the tour date. Registrants will be given the opportunity to move to another tour if they so desire. Trip cancellation insurance is recommended.

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Travel Considerations

Please provide us with your travel itinerary as soon as you have it. Include Airline flights with arrival and departure times, and if traveling by car provide your estimated time of arrival.
If arriving by air there are several carriers that fly into Charlottetown: Air Canada from Toronto, Montreal and Halifax; Delta Airlines from Boston; Northwest Airlines from Detroit; and WestJet Airlines from Toronto and Montreal. We are approximately 50 minutes drive from the airport. Ground transportation is not included in the package price but it you would like us to arrange for ground transportation please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
A second option if traveling by Air is through Halifax. Once arriving in Halifax you will have a 90 minute drive to Pictou to board a ferry to Wood Islands, PEI. Further ferry information is below.
If traveling from off island by car, you have two entry points, the bridge from New Brunswick or the Northumberland Ferry from Pictou, Nova Scotia. The ferry schedule is available at http://www.peiferry.com/route_schedule/ . We are approximately a 2 hour drive from the bridge and 20 minutes from the ferry. The ferry crossing takes approximately 75 minutes from Pictou.

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Tour information and reports

When you register you will be sent a participant list so that you can communicate with the group before and after the tour. This list will be updated as registrations are made. We will communicate via email any general information pertaining to the tour as it becomes available. We will provide a prospective list of birds that we hope to see on the tour and during the tour we will reference online reported sightings to update our birding list. We will provide a PEI birding check list to everyone and encourage you to keep you’re your own individual sighting list. We will provide you with a final group list at the end of the tour. As a resource, there will be an extensive library of bird books available and up-to-date bird software.

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Assumption of Risk and Liability Release Agreement

Forest and Stream Cottages / Country Charm B&B (100463 PEI INC.) will make every effort to provide its guests and employees with a safe experience and surroundings. Our tours by nature pose some risks associated with automobile travel, walking over rugged, rocky, uneven terrain with bush or undergrowth. Our guests are expected to take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others and recognize that 100463 PEI INC., its owners, employees or contracted staff cannot guarantee the personal safety of any of the participants. We therefore require that each participant release us all liability for your safety by signing an Assumption of Risk and Liability Release Agreement. We request that this document be signed and returned at time of registration. Failure to agree and sign this waiver will result in your reservation being cancelled.

Please sign and return Agreement Form PDF with registration

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