Perce & Bonadventure Island - July 24 - 25

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Our stay at Cote Surprise in Perce was a surprise when we realized we had picked campsites right next to a very active playground. The further end of the grounds would have been a better choice but the campground was chock a block full. The reason - it is in a beautiful location on a cliff overlooking the town of Perce and across at Perce Rock and Bonaventure Island and very walkable to town. 

The next morning, Steve, Ellen & I left to catch the early ferry to Bonaventure Island. The first part of the trip was a mini pelagic trip that goes part way around Perce Rock and then around Bonaventure Island before landing at the pier. This gave us great looks at all sorts of birds including gannets, razorbills, guillemots, common murres and seals. The island is a national park with hiking trails around and through the island. 

The far side is one huge gannet colony that tops over 70,000 nesting pairs with young. Somehow the colony escaped our knowledge probably because of our lack of understanding french. We soon learned when we crested a hill and were hit with the noise, smell and wonder from all these birds. The observation decks were right in with all the nesting gannets.