Town of Frenchman's Cove
AREA HISTORY
The First Newfoundland Census, conducted in 1836, is the earliest documented evidence of the community of Frenchman's Cove. Though it was settled prior to this time, the date of settlement is not known. Local folklore and tradition hold that some of the first settlers were Cluetts of French origin. The small boat inshore fishery has been the economic mainstay of the area. Not until the late part of the nineteenth century did men join crews of the Bank fishery schooners, operated from Grand Bank. Residents also practiced agriculture, mostly for subsistence and feed for livestock. The main crops raised were turnips, cabbages, potatoes, and hay. Livestock included cattle, sheep, horses and chickens.
NATURAL HISTORY
Situated adjacent a large barachois, sand and mud flats, mixed forests, and tidal lagoons, it is no wonder that Frenchman's Cove offers bird watchers tremendous and splendid opportunities to observe a diverse population of shore birds and waterfowl. The visitor can expect to see the lesser yellow-legs, red knots, dunlins, and sand pipers. Canada Geese, black ducks, green-winged teals, and ring necked ducks can also be seen. Unusual sea birds sighted are thick-billed mures, dovkies, northern gannets, Leach's storm petrels, common terns and ring billed gulls. Frenchman's Cove is host to over twenty species of terrestrial birds. Most notable are the bobolink and the Mrytle warbler which are considered to be rare.