Brier Island

Nova Scotia · Canada

Moderate

Habitat

CoastalForestWetland

Best Seasons

FallSummer

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

August-October

Entrance Fee

Free (ferry fare to access)

Hours

Open 24 hours

About This Location

Brier Island at the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia is the province's premier birding destination, connected to the mainland by two short ferry rides. The island's position in the Bay of Fundy makes it a natural migration funnel, concentrating seabirds, shorebirds, and songbirds.

Fall migration is spectacular, with phalaropes gathering in the thousands in the nutrient-rich Fundy waters, shearwaters and storm-petrels passing offshore, and migrating hawks and songbirds staging on the island. Pelagic boat trips from the island offer encounters with rare oceanic species.

Location

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Notable Species

Red-necked Phalarope Great Shearwater Leach's Storm-Petrel Northern Gannet Boreal Chickadee

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

3/4/2026Cape Sable Island--Swimm Point1 observed

Varied Thrush

Ixoreus naevius

3/3/2026MM Home - 607 Clam Point1 observed

Iceland Gull (thayeri/kumlieni)

Larus glaucoides

3/3/2026Fred Thomas Rd1 observed

Iceland Gull (thayeri/kumlieni)

Larus glaucoides

3/3/2026Fred Thomas Rd1 observed

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

3/3/2026Middleton1 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/3/2026Milton1 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/2/2026270 Water St, Yarmouth CA-NS 43.85005, -66.115751 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/2/2026Yarmouth Harbour1 observed

Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

3/2/2026Digby--Town1 observed

Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus

3/1/2026Ingonish--Kings Point1 observed

Varied Thrush

Ixoreus naevius

3/1/2026MM Home - 607 Clam Point1 observed

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus

3/1/2026Mount Hanley Rd, Lawrencetown CA-NS (44.9066,-65.1219)1 observed

American Herring/Vega/European Herring x Glaucous Gull (hybrid)

Larus smithsonianus/vegae/argentatus x hyperboreus

3/1/2026Fred Thomas Rd1 observed

Lincoln's Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

3/1/2026Cole Harbour--Bissett Trail1 observed

Lincoln's Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

3/1/2026Cole Harbour--Bissett Trail1 observed

Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

3/1/2026Cape Sable Island--Swimm Point1 observed

Lincoln's Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

3/1/2026Cole Harbour--Bissett Trail1 observed

Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus

2/28/2026Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park1 observed

Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus

2/28/2026Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park1 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

2/28/2026436–616 Main Shore Rd, Yarmouth CA-NS (43.8742,-66.1324)1 observed

Recent Observations

American Goldfinch

159 Town Road

3/4/2026

11 birds

American Crow

159 Town Road

3/4/2026

4 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

159 Town Road

3/4/2026

2 birds

Blue Jay

159 Town Road

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mourning Dove

159 Town Road

3/4/2026

1 birds

Eastern Bluebird

975 Chebogue Rd, Yarmouth CA-NS 43.78587, -66.09553

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

101 Main St, Yarmouth CA-NS

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Black Duck

Home Garden

3/4/2026

1 birds

Evening Grosbeak

Home Garden

3/4/2026

25 birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Home Garden

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Herring Gull

Home Garden

3/4/2026

1 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Home Garden

3/4/2026

1 birds

White-throated Sparrow

Home Garden

3/4/2026

1 birds

European Starling

8841 Nova Scotia 217, Digby, Nova Scotia, CA (44.566, -65.982)my Place

3/4/2026

1 birds

Pileated Woodpecker

8841 Nova Scotia 217, Digby, Nova Scotia, CA (44.566, -65.982)my Place

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Cardinal

8841 Nova Scotia 217, Digby, Nova Scotia, CA (44.566, -65.982)my Place

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Robin

8841 Nova Scotia 217, Digby, Nova Scotia, CA (44.566, -65.982)my Place

3/4/2026

4 birds

Cooper's Hawk

Town of Yarmouth

3/4/2026

1 birds

Common Raven

Evangeline Trail, Avonport, Nova Scotia, CA (45.101, -64.27)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bald Eagle

Evangeline Trail, Avonport, Nova Scotia, CA (45.101, -64.27)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
Book a pelagic birding trip from Westport for the best chance at shearwaters and storm-petrels
2
Northern Point is the best spot for watching raptor migration in September and October

Amenities

Parking

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Digby Neck
Balancing Rock

Birding Guides

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

Best Birding Apps for 2026

7 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The best months to visit Brier Island for birding are August-October. The best seasons are Fall and Summer.

What birds can I see at Brier Island?▼

Notable species at Brier Island include Red-necked Phalarope, Great Shearwater, Leach's Storm-Petrel, Northern Gannet, Boreal Chickadee. The area supports coastal, forest, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Brier Island?▼

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

Is there an entrance fee at Brier Island?▼

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

What amenities are available at Brier Island?▼

Brier Island offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.