Nature Newfoundland and Labrador (Nature NL) joined the NatureHood community in August 2023 with a pilot project to provide fun and educational opportunities primarily for youth members of the Association of New Canadians. In 2024, Nature NL expanded the program to also offer opportunities to youth members of the Learning Disability Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
NatureHood NL is focused on connecting kids that are new to Canada to the unique nature in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our hope is that through our programming, kids can get a chance to learn about the environment and spend time outdoors. Nature NL operates under the principle of “Nature for All” and NatureHood NL is one way in which we share our love for our province’s beautiful nature.
Caption: Field trip to Terra Nova Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Photo Credits: Sean McCann
Newfoundland and Labrador is a unique place to experience migratory birds year round. Species like the semipalmated sandpiper, eastern kingbird, swamp sparrow, Wilson’s warbler, tufted duck, blue-headed vireo, semipalmated plover and northern waterthrush. With the exception of the tufted duck, these birds will be traveling thousands of kilometers to winter in areas south of the island of Newfoundland. The tufted duck often does the opposite, wintering on the island and heading back to Iceland in the springtime.
Even when the weather in Newfoundland and Labrador is not cooperating, it doesn’t keep us from birding! As part of our NatureHood program, we have occasionally had to stay indoors and learn how to use binoculars and find birds hidden throughout indoor spaces, and check them on our birding species lists.
Caption: Nature NL’s Naturehood Coordinator (2023-24), Brianna Barrett leading an indoor birding event with the Association for New Canadians’s summer school. Photo Credits: Brianna Barrett
Aerial insectivores in Canada have declined by 59% since the 1970s1. To highlight the importance of insects to bird conservation and to celebrate the Migratory Bird Day 2024 theme “Protect Insects, Protect Birds!”, we provided several insect-related events in 2024. We hosted two Moth Nights where members of the public got the opportunity to discover the fascinating world of moths with Nature NL’s Insect Coordinator, Dr. Catherine Scott, Entomology Intern Abbie Mullin, and Board Member and entomologist Dr. Sean McCann. We set up a “moth sheet” with a mercury vapor lamp. The mercury vapor lamp emits light that attracts moths, giving participants the opportunity to experience these fascinating nocturnal insects!
Caption: Moth Night. Photo Credits: Sean McCann
In September, we visited Terra Nova Migratory Bird Sanctuary as part of our NatureHood program. Within this migratory bird sanctuary, approximately 30 species can be regularly spotted. The majority of these birds are shorebirds, waterfowl and seabirds. During the fall migration, several hundred Canada geese, American black duck, common goldeneye and mergansers make use of the sanctuary. During our visit, we spotted several shorebirds along the tidal flats and songbirds in the boreal forest. Our field trip was packed with birding and insect games. The kids also had a chance to learn about different types of insects that can be found on the island of Newfoundland, even observing aquatic insects in the tidal flats.
Caption: NatureHood kids exploring Newfoundland insects. Photo Credits: Sean McCann
Through Nature NL’s NatureHood program, We have focused on making birding more accessible by developing a free Guide to Birding in Newfoundland and Labrador. This guide is designed to encourage new and beginner birders to learn how to bird in the province.
1 A Roadmap to Rescuing Aerial Insectivores (Birds Canada)
