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Barachois Pond Area Just after the St. George's turnoff on the east side of the Trans Canada Highway is the extensive forest of Barachois Pond Provincial Park. This popular park at the base of the southern Long Range Mountains is close to the last remaining stronghold o f the rare and secretive Newfoundland Pine Marten, for which red squirrel and eastern chipmunk were introduced as prey items. Their increase and that of the prodigiously sucessful Ruffled Grouse have fed many birds of prey i n the area, especiallly the Northern Goshawk. The park is an excellent place to spend a few days in summer and is ideally situated close to Stephenville Crossing. A 3 mile walk up Erin Mountain Trail gives a good introduction to the park's birds, which may include rarities like the Threetoed Woodpecker, Veery and Blackburnian Warbler. The summit offers a breathtaking view of some of the surrounding countr yside and a chance to see some of the 7000 caribou found on the plateau. |