Great Shearwater— Photo: Barry Zimmer

Located in the Bay of Fundy (off the coasts of Maine and New Brunswick), the picturesque island of Grand Manan makes an ideal base for experiencing the phenomenon of fall migration on the northeast coast.

This area stands out from other migration hot spots because of the ready availability of exciting pelagic birding. Fundy's famous tides wash through submarine canyons, promoting cold-water upwellings and consistently producing some of the best seabirding and whale-watching in North America.

We will have a full day at sea with excellent chances of finding Manx, Great, and Sooty shearwaters; Wilson's and possibly Leach's storm-petrels; Atlantic Puffin; Razorbill; Black-legged Kittiwake; Northern Gannet; jaegers; phalaropes; and other surprises. Most years, though, the show is stolen by the impressive North Atlantic right whale, the rarest whale in the world. Finback and humpback whales are also likely.

We'll check the forests and hedgerows of Grand Manan for a good variety of migrant songbirds (20 species of warblers are possible), and scan the rocky shoreline for Great Cormorant, Common Eider, and Black Guillemot.

Good accommodations and excellent food; easy terrain; minimal walking; one boat trip plus three ferry rides; cool to mild climate.