Silversea Expeditions: Cape Wolstenholme Bird Colony

It’s day four of our journey with Silversea Expeditions, and today’s destination is the Cape Wolstenholme Bird Colony.

It was a foggy, rainy day, and as Carol and I have experienced several Arctic bird colonies, we decided to play hooky from today’s zodiac cruises and enjoy this ship. The temperatures today ranged from 36º to 39º, so it was not too cold.

Bird Cliffs at Cape Wolstenholme, Digges Island

The bird cliffs at Cape Wolstenholme, located at the northernmost point of Quebec, Canada, are a remarkable natural spectacle. These cliffs, rising to an impressive height of 300 meters (980 feet), dominate the landscape and mark the entrance to Digges Sound, where the Hudson Bay meets the Hudson Strait. The area is renowned for its strong currents and ice floes, creating a dramatic and often perilous environment.

Thick-Billed Murre

One of Cape Wolstenholme’s most significant features is its status as a prime nesting site for one of the world’s largest colonies of thick-billed murres. These seabirds, known for their striking black and white plumage, gather in vast numbers on the rocky cliffs to breed and raise their young. The cliffs also host other bird species, including black guillemots and Iceland gulls, making them a vital habitat for avian biodiversity.

The cliffs’ ecological importance is underscored by their designation as an Important Bird Area (IBA) and their inclusion in various conservation programs aimed at protecting key marine and migratory bird habitats.

The rugged beauty and ecological significance of the bird cliffs at Cape Wolstenholme make them a fascinating destination for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Stay tuned for more of our exciting adventures as we sail the Arctic with Silversea Expeditions over the next 14 days.

For more information or to book an exciting Silversea Expedition cruise, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.

Note: The photos on the slide were taken by Silversea’s onboard photographer, Eric Duran. The studio portrait of the Thick-Billed Murre was AI-generated. 

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This article was written with the aid of Perplexity AI. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an independent affiliate of Cadence and a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40