Grand Manan Island

New Brunswick · Canada

Moderate

Habitat

CoastalForestWetland

Best Seasons

SummerFall

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

June-October

Entrance Fee

Free (ferry fare to access island)

Hours

Open 24 hours

About This Location

Grand Manan Island sits at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, where the world's highest tides create incredibly productive marine waters that support remarkable seabird concentrations. The island's mix of coastal cliffs, spruce forest, and wetlands has attracted birders for over a century.

Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills nest on nearby Machias Seal Island (accessible by boat from Grand Manan), while the island itself hosts breeding Bald Eagles, Arctic Terns, and diverse forest birds. Fall migration brings impressive numbers of warblers, sparrows, and raptors.

Location

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Notable Species

Atlantic Puffin Razorbill Arctic Tern Bald Eagle Nelson's Sparrow

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

3/4/2026The Fields, Fredericton1 observed

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

3/3/2026112 Sherwood Dr, Quispamsis CA-NB 45.43426, -65.992781 observed

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

3/3/2026The Fields, Fredericton1 observed

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

3/2/2026(aa) Our yard in Cormierville, Route 535, NB1 observed

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

3/2/2026The Fields, Fredericton1 observed

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

3/1/2026Reeder Road, Salisbury1 observed

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

3/1/2026The Fields, Fredericton1 observed

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

3/1/2026(aa) Our yard in Cormierville, Route 535, NB1 observed

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

3/1/2026Cruel Fairy House1 observed

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

2/28/2026Reeder Road, Salisbury1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

2/28/202629 Roy Brown Street, Moncton, New Brunswick, CA (46.095, -64.815)1 observed

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

2/28/2026The Fields, Fredericton1 observed

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

2/27/2026The Fields, Fredericton1 observed

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

2/27/2026The Fields, Fredericton1 observed

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

2/27/2026The Fields, Fredericton1 observed

Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

2/27/2026Garden Hill1 observed

Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

2/26/2026Garden Hill1 observed

Lincoln's Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

2/26/2026Grasse Circle1 observed

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

2/26/2026(aa) Our yard in Cormierville, Route 535, NB1 observed

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

2/26/2026Salisbury - Reeder Road1 observed

Recent Observations

American Robin

4593–4637 Route 106, Dorchester CA-NB 45.93097, -64.52067

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bald Eagle

586–600 Royal Rd, Memramcook CA-NB 46.00498, -64.55183

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Crow

586–600 Royal Rd, Memramcook CA-NB 46.00498, -64.55183

3/4/2026

11 birds

Pine Grosbeak

Jemseg--Old Road

3/4/2026

1 birds

Ring-necked Pheasant

Tantramar Marsh

3/4/2026

4 birds

Rock Pigeon

Tantramar Marsh

3/4/2026

2 birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker

oak haven

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Goldfinch

oak haven

3/4/2026

15 birds

Blue Jay

oak haven

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch

oak haven

3/4/2026

2 birds

Purple Finch

oak haven

3/4/2026

20 birds

White-breasted Nuthatch

oak haven

3/4/2026

1 birds

Downy Woodpecker

oak haven

3/4/2026

1 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

oak haven

3/4/2026

2 birds

Pine Siskin

oak haven

3/4/2026

2 birds

Bufflehead

oak haven

3/4/2026

21 birds

European Starling

oak haven

3/4/2026

20 birds

Evening Grosbeak

oak haven

3/4/2026

10 birds

Northern Cardinal

oak haven

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mourning Dove

oak haven

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
Book the Machias Seal Island puffin tour well in advance — limited spots are available each day
2
The island's east side trails are best for fall migration warblers and sparrows

Amenities

Parking

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Machias Seal Island
Swallowtail Lighthouse

Birding Guides

Best Places to See Bald Eagles in North America

11 min read

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Grand Manan Island for birding?▼

The best months to visit Grand Manan Island for birding are June-October. The best seasons are Summer and Fall.

What birds can I see at Grand Manan Island?▼

Notable species at Grand Manan Island include Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, Arctic Tern, Bald Eagle, Nelson's Sparrow. The area supports coastal, forest, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Grand Manan Island?▼

Birding at Grand Manan Island is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

Is there an entrance fee at Grand Manan Island?▼

The entrance fee at Grand Manan Island is Free (ferry fare to access island). Hours: Open 24 hours.

What amenities are available at Grand Manan Island?▼

Grand Manan Island offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.