| Questions about Québec?
Call us now at | | 1 877 BONJOUR |
(1 877 266-5687) |
|
|
Wildlife observationVibrant and abundant!
From the Canada goose to the great blue heron, from the moose to the humpback whale, more than 650 animal species—including 200 fish and 325 bird species—inhabit Québec’s carefully preserved territory. Many of these species can be seen in the wilderness or by chance during a stroll through the forest, say, in one of Québec’s national parks or wildlife reserves.
The same goes for marine mammals, including whales—the St. Lawrence Estuary is teeming with them—migratory birds and numerous land mammals, such as cervids (white-tailed deer, moose, caribou and more), bears and beavers.
Vagabond birdsRound trips to keep an eye out for
 It's a one-of-a-kind sight! Twice a year, hundreds of thousands of snow geese make a stopover on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. In the fall, on their way back from Baffin and Bylot islands, they take a break and "fuel up" in Québec before continuing the long journey to their warm, winter habitat. Then, in the spring they return, stopping by as they wing their way to the Great North, where they spend their summers. It's an annual pilgrimage nearly 4,000 km (2,500 mi.) long! You can watch them as they soar through the skies or, better yet, go observe them at their three preferred resting spots!Cap-Tourmente
 The marshlands of the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve, not far from Québec City, are a truly peaceful haven for snow geese. The best time of the day for observing these birds is at high tide, since that's when they are more numerous and closer to the shore. Cap-Tourmente is particularly well equipped for observing the birds, with, among other things, an observatory high atop a 150-m (492-ft.) cliff! Each fall, this area attracts an incredible bird colony—especially since the geese return with their young, which were born over the summer. In the spring, the geese spread themselves out a little among the various wildlife reserves. Other birds to watch for: greater snow goose, great grey owl, peregrine falcon, ruby-throated hummingbird.Baie-du-Febvre
 Located on the shores of Lac Saint-Pierre, a freshwater basin that is actually part of the St. Lawrence River and is home to some 200 bird species, the flood plains of Baie-du-Febvre welcome a sizeable snow goose population in the spring (in the fall, fewer stop here). The interpretation centre offers visitors hiking trails, lookouts, a boardwalk and theme exhibitions. "Early birds" who make it to the observation areas for sunrise are in for a special treat: the sight of tens of thousands of birds soaring into the sky! Other birds to watch for: Canada goose, American black duck, green-winged teal, ring-necked duck, common goldeneye, bufflehead and many more.Montmagny
Located about 70 km (43 mi.) east of Québec City, on the south shore, the Montmagny region is one of the staging areas of the greater snow goose. At the beginning of the 20th century, when its population numbered a mere 3,000, the greater snow goose was satisfied with the site at Cap Tourmente, across the river. Now that its population has attained nearly one million, it stops on the banks in Montmagny and on the islands facing the latter, including Île aux Grues. Other birds to watch for: Canada goose and several duck species. You can also see large numbers of snow geese on the Rivière Richelieu, at Lake Champlain, Lac Saint-Jean and in various spots along the St. Lawrence.Symbolic and majestic birds!
 Many Canada geese also migrate south annually. In fact, hundreds of thousands of the bird pass through the Parc national de Plaisance, in the Outaouais region. Lastly, various species of falcon, hawk and harrier put on a show each spring at the Parc national du Bic and in the fall in Tadoussac (at the Parc national du Saguenay). In the high season, with the right conditions you can see up to a hundred of these birds of prey each day. |
|
|
|
Outdoor activities
Wildlife observation
Attractions
Activities and attractions
Events
