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Song Sparrow
August 2012 - Vol. 55-1
Île-aux-Perroquets (English) - (Français)
Reflections from Lake St. Francis
Bird Views/Parlons d’oiseaux
COAQ Conference
New Members
Monday Night Lecture Series
Past and Forthcoming Field Trips
Calendar
Île-aux-Perroquets A visit to Bird Protection Quebec’s
“globally significant” bird sanctuary.
Bird Protection Quebec
Protection des oiseaux du Québec
Île-aux-Perroquets
BPQ’s “Globally Significant” Bird Sanctuary
By Richard Gregson
Instead of a routine, troop-rallying “Message from the President” in this
edition, I want to do something different. As you know, Bird Protection
Quebec (BPQ) is the owner and custodian of a number of bird
sanctuaries, mostly within a couple of hours of Montreal. In recent
editions of our newsletter, we have talked at length about the newly
created Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve, and on our website you will find a
list of the other bird sanctuaries that BPQ either owns or has been
instrumental in creating or saving. Now it is time to take a look at our
most distant and oldest sanctuary; one that is quite different from the
others and more than somewhat inspirational to us all, but it has been
too long ignored.
In 1937, BPQ purchased the island of Île-aux-Perroquets in the Bay of
Brador on the northern side of the Strait of Belle Isle, just offshore from
Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon and about as far north and east as anyone
can go along the Lower North Shore before entering Labrador (and
having to set your clock forward an hour and a half). A quick glance at
a map will impress on you just how remote this part of Quebec is ...
which is why our island has, of necessity, been so neglected by us for
too long. The last time that anyone from BPQ visited officiall was in
1992, but apart from a couple of grainy photographs of intrepid birders
clambering out of a small boat, we have no documentary record of
what they found. Time to get up to speed again, because this is a truly
spectacular bird sanctuary of considerable importance.
Earlier this summer, Jean Harwood Gregson (my wife and BPQ’s chief
financial officer) and I were fortunate to be able to spend several hours
along the shoreline close to Île-aux-Perroquets on a day of bright and
warm sunshine – unusual for the location but perfect for bird
observation. Landing on the island is wholly dependent on currents,
tides and the availability of a willing boatman who knows the waters,
and our time was limited, but we saw enough to fire our enthusiasm for
this very special place – an enthusiasm that was confirmed for us by
later conversations with people living in the area who know how
important “our” birds are. The purpose of this article is to share some
of what we know about the island and to use it as an example of the
importance of stewardship and habitat conservation to the mission and
work of BPQ.
Île-aux-Perroquets, nearby Greenly Island and the waters surrounding
them form the federally mandated Baie-de- Brador Migratory Bird
Sanctuary, which is, at least in theory, monitored every five years by
scientists from Environment Canada. It is also listed as an Important
Bird Area (IBA). The island is quite low, rising to at most 15 m above
A group of male Common Eider gathers in the sea off the island sanctuary RG©Sparroworks
2
sea level with an
extensive rocky
shoreline and low
“cliffs” that provide
excellent breeding
opportunities for a
host of seabird
species. Vegetation is
primarily grass with
herbaceous
perennials and low
shrubs, the soil being
calcareous in nature.
Surrounding waters
are extraordinarily rich
in fish and provide
important feeding
opportunities for Blue,
Fin and Humpback
Whales plus the
Common Porpoise.
Local currents are
powerful and dangerous – hence the difficulty
of landing in winter.Conditions are quite
extreme: the surrounding ocean freezes over
and the island is regularly battered by storms.
There are Common
Murre, Black
Guillemot and
Common Eider as
well as Herring,
Great Black-backed
and Ring-billed
Gulls, and Common
and Arctic Terns.
The terns’ breeding
status is debatable
but they are
certainly present
and feeding in good
numbers.
The location of the sanctuary
As the island’s name implies, Puffins are a prominent species with
20,080 individuals being recorded in the summer of 2005 (the most
recent year for which we have reliable information at the time of
writing – see below). This comprises some 3% of the entire North
American Puffin population and is the largest colony in Quebec with
some 79% of all provincial birds of the species. However, impressive
as this may seem, in 1955 there were 50,000 individuals, a peak that
fell dramatically to 7,000 just five years later (1960) and has only
slowly climbed back to the numbers we see today. At the moment, we
are developing links with Environment Canada and local biologists,
who we hope will be able to help us. We should all be proud to know
that the Puffin population for which we are responsible is deemed by
BirdLife International to be “Globally Significant.”
Other birds breeding on the island and feeding in its waters include
Razorbills (6,283 individuals recorded in 2005 – another globally
significant number). This species has a restricted breeding range in
Quebec, making this colony especially important in provincial terms.
3
A general survey of
the several
sanctuaries along the
Lower North Shore
was reported in 2005
and the Baie de
Brador Sanctuary
featured in the Sixteenth Census of Seabird Populations
in the Sanctuaries of the North Shore of the Gulf of St..
Lawrence (2005 by Jean-Francois Rail and Richard Cotter; Canadian
Wildlife Service, Ste-Foy, Québec). The authors wrote the following:
“The largest concentration of breeding Atlantic Puffins in the province
of Québec has always been located in the Baie de Brador Sanctuary.
Fortunately, our results show a 27% increase of that colony between
1999 and 2005, in contrast with the declines observed at other major
puffin colonies on the North Shore. Baie de Brador now shelters 79%
of all puffins breeding in North Shore sanctuaries. During the same
period, the Razorbill population mean annual growth rate was high
(6.9%) but similar to elsewhere, and numbers of Common Murres
went up by an amazing 50% annually. In other respects, the colony of
Black-legged Kittiwakes discovered in 1999 had already disappeared
by 2005.” We landed on Île-aux- Perroquets on June 30 and July 1.
The dates Rail and Cotter did their 2005 survey coincide almost
exactly with the dates Jean and I were there.
What was very striking for us about the island this year was the sheer
number of birds that are present – the last time I saw seabirds in a
concentration matching this was off a sea cliff in the Shetland Isles
twenty or more years ago. We stopped trying to estimate the
with a fixed scope in place from which you can watch the birds from
a distance ... and all without a penny cost to BPQ, and without telling
us what they have been up to either come to that! Tourisme BasseCote-Nord notes in their literature that “Brador Bay Migratory Bird
Sanctuary is home to the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in Quebec,
with more than 20,000 of these colourful birds. Raptors such as the
Rough-Legged Hawk, Northern Harrier, and Short-eared Owl can
also be observed flying low over the barrens looking for prey” and
they go on to highlight other birds. “The fall migration allows for the
viewing of many shore birds. Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs,
Semipalmated Plovers and many ‘peeps’ gather in bays, especially
at low tide. Sanderlings chase the edges of waves as they feed.
Several species of grouse and ptarmigan are also common in the
area. With the onset of winter and much colder temperatures, you
can view the Snowy Owl as it blends in with its surroundings. Large
flocks of Snow Buntings can be seen at the side of roads.” This
reminds us that Île- aux-Perroquets does not stand alone but is part
of a much wider – and vulnerable – ecosystem.
The highest point of the island overlooks a sea that is full of
thousands of birds. RG © Sparroworks
numbers on the island and in the surrounding waters once we passed
100,000 but there were many more than that – without a doubt. In fact,
the sheer density of birds in the water made us think of it being a veritable
“bird soup.” For those of us more used to searching for birds in the dense
foliage of forests and working hard to get the numbers up on a field trip,
this amazing richness and diversity was a salutary example of what the
natural world has to offer to us when the conditions are right. Not just
hundreds of thousands of birds on the rocks and floating on the water
either – things that stand out in personal memory include the balletic
wheelings and diving of Terns (always a soul-stirring sight), the formation
flypast of a flock of some fifty or more male Common Eider who later
landed on the water close to us and the seemingly tame Savannah
Sparrow busy collecting his lunch in the rocks along the shore – almost
within touching distance. A Northern Harrier hunting in the tundra behind
us added to the majesty of the occasion.
Interestingly, the local ourist authorities seem to be well aware of the
importance of the island and are making some effort to draw it to the
attention of visitors; they even give a link to our website – so we are
not entirely forgotten up there. Along the shore road, there is a large
signpost designating the island as an environmental/ecological
resource and even a gravel car park and a raised viewing platform
4
Of course, anyone heading up there for a vacation and some birding,
apart from being a hardy soul, needs to remember that all of these
birds are highly sensitive to human disturbance. Regulations
governing migratory bird sanctuaries state that no person shall upset,
destroy or take nests of migratory birds, nor carry out any activity that
may be harmful to the birds, their eggs or their habitat but these
regulations are not enforced by the government. Whether you are
watching from the shore or can get closer by boat, it is important to
be respectful of these conditions. During the nesting season, landing
on the islands is by permit only. There is a history of “egging” which
has caused damage to the bird populations. Local people have a
tradition of collecting seabird eggs and have most certainly collected
them on our island. In recent years, education initiatives by groups
such as Quebec-Labrador Foundation (QLF) have helped to mitigate
this practice but banning it is very sensitive in light of the cultural
importance of the practice in local communities.
Although BPQ has rather left the island to fend for itself since 1937, I
suggest that, knowing what we now know, it is time to take a greater
level of responsibility. One of the first things to do would be to
organize regular population surveys of the birds that use the island so
that over a number of years we can build up a detailed picture of our
birds and try to relate fluctuations in their numbers to weather,
variations in available food, tourist pressure, the eff ect of fishing in
nearby waters and egg collecting, should it be shown to occur. That is
not easy at such a distance and I hope that BPQ’s directors will be
able to devise a program for doing as much as is practical within our
budget and the availability of people to work on the project. After all,
it is for precisely the preservation of these enormously valuable but
vulnerable, bird-rich sites that our members give us their support.
So, alongside our more “cared-for” and accessible sanctuaries such
as Philipsburg (where we are currently in the midst of a major
reassessment of facilities and habitat management), Alderbrooke
Marsh, the Varennes islands, the Alf Kelly Nature reserve,
Breckenridge, and various smaller pockets of protected land around
Montreal, we can add this wonderful island with its diverse and
“globally significant” seabirds. Together, the sanctuaries for which we
are responsible serve to remind us of what our name means. As a
birding organization, we promote wildlife education, we support
ornithological research and we run weekly field trips to help
members and visitors come face to face with Quebec birds … but all
that presupposes that there are birds out there to be viewed and
studied. No bird, or other creature for that matter, can survive long
without adequate and appropriate habitat and it is the conservation
and protection of that habitat that Bird PROTECTION Quebec is
uniquely able to contribute to, with the support of our members.
Some of this work we do by ourselves as owners of land (Île-auxPerroquets, Philipsburg, etc.), some we do in conjunction with
partners such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada (the huge Alfred
Kelly Reserve at Piedmont/Prévost).
l'Île-aux-Perroquets
Sanctuaire POQ d’une «importance mondiale»
Par Richard Gregson
Macareux moine (Wikipedia)
Unfortunately, this sort of conservation work is expensive. In
monetary terms, of course, because land has to be purchased and
managed and local taxes are a burden that we cannot avoid, but also
in terms of people. Our work is done by volunteers and they are
sometimes hard to find when big projects come along. The next stage
of work at Île-aux-Perroquets will probably involve professional
biologists making population and habitat assessments, but the plans
we are beginning to develop at Philipsburg may well see a call next
year for volunteers to join working parties dealing with trail mapping
and maintenance, boardwalk and viewing platform renovation,
installation of informational signs, bird censusing and so on. That is
something we can all get behind and so we hope that many of you
will be able to offer some time to this important work once we are
ready to start.
Meanwhile – if you are ever able to go north, do make a point of
stopping by our island to view “our” Puffins. It truly is a magical
place. Supporting BPQ with your membership, donations and time
makes it all possible. Conservation is important work so let the
wonderful Puffins of the Île-aux-Perroquets inspire us all.
5
Au lieu du message rassembleur habituel du president, j’aimerais faire
qulelque chose de different dans cette edition. Comme vous le savez,
Protection des oiseaux du Québec est propriétaire d'un certain
nombre de sanctuaires d'oiseaux, la plupart à seulement quelques
heures de Montréal. Il y a eu plusieurs articles dans les éditions
récentes de ce bulletin à ce sujet et maintenant il est temps de jeter un
coup d’œil sur notre sanctuaire le plus éloigné et le plus ancien. C’est
aussi celui qui diffère le plus des autres et qui représente une source
d'inspiration pour nous tous. Il a malheureusement été trop longtemps
laissé de côté.
En 1937, POQ a fait l’acquisition de l'Île-aux-Perroquets dans la baie
de Brador, au nord du détroit de Belle-Isle, juste au large de Lourdesde-Blanc-Sablon et à peu près aussi loin au nord et à l'est qu'il est
possible de se rendre le long de la Basse Côte-Nord avant d'atteindre
le Labrador (et d'avoir à avancer votre montre d’une heure et demie).
Un rapide coup d'œil à une carte vous démontrera la distance à
parcourir pour atteindre cette partie du Québec... C'est pourquoi
notre île a, par nécessité, été négligée depuis si longtemps. La
dernière fois que quelqu'un de POQ a visité l’île, ce fut en 1992 ; et à
part quelques photographies d’ornithologues intrépides sortant d’un
petit bateau, nous n'avons aucune documentation de ce qu'ils ont
observé. Il est grand temps de se mettre à jour, parce qu'il s'agit là
d'un sanctuaire d'oiseaux vraiment spectaculaire et d'une importance
considérable.
L’Île-aux-Perroquets, l'Île Greenly et les eaux qui les entourent forment
le refuge d’oiseaux migrateurs de la Baie-de-Brador. Un refuge
d'oiseaux migrateurs au niveau fédéral et qui est, du moins en théorie,
suivi tous les cinq ans par les scientifiques d'Environnement Canada.
L'île est également considérée comme zone importante pour la
conservation des oiseaux.
L'île est assez basse et s'élève à son plus haut à 15 m au-dessus du
niveau de la mer, entourée par un rivage rocheux et de faibles
"falaises" qui offrent d'excellentes possibilités de nidification pour
une multitude d'espèces d'oiseaux marins. La végétation est
principalement herbacée, comprenant également quelques plantes
vivaces et des petits arbustes poussant sur un sol calcaire. Les eaux
environnantes sont extraordinairement riches en poisson et
représentent une zone d'alimentation importante pour le Rorqual
bleu, le Rorqual commun et le Rorqual à bosse ainsi que pour le
Marsouin commun. Les courants sont puissants et dangereux - d'où
la difficulté de se rendre sur l'île. En hiver, les conditions sont
extrêmes : les alentours de l’île gèlent régulièrement et les tempêtes
sont fréquentes.
Roadside sign in Blanc-Sablon RG©Sparroworks
Plus tôt cet été, ma femme, Jean Harwood Gregson (trésorière de
POQ), et moi-même avons eu la chance de passer plusieurs heures
sur le littoral à proximité de l'Ile-aux-Perroquets ; et ce lors d’une
journée inhabituellement chaude et ensoleillée. Une journée idéale
pour l'observation des oiseaux. Une visite sur l'île est totalement
dépendante des courants, des marées et de la disponibilité d'un
batelier qui connaît bien les eaux avoisinantes. Malheureusement,
notre temps était limité mais nous en avons tout de même vu assez
pour étancher notre soif pour cet endroit très spécial. Et notre
enthousiasme a été confirmé par des conversations ultérieures avec
des habitants de la région qui connaissent l'importance de «nos»
oiseaux. Le but de cet article est de partager une partie de ce que
nous avons appris sur cette île et de l'utiliser comme un exemple
pour illustrer l'importance d’une bonne gestion et de la conservation
des habitats. En bref la mission et le travail de POQ.
6
Comme le nom de l'île l’indique, le Macareux moine représente une
espèce importante avec 20 080 individus recensés pendant l'été
2005 (l'année la plus récente pour laquelle nous disposons
d'informations fiables au moment de la rédaction - voir ci-dessous).
La colonie de l'Île représente environ 3 % de l'ensemble de la
population nord-américaine de macareux et il s'agit de la plus
grande colonie au Québec avec près de 79 % de tous les oiseaux
de la province. Si ces chiffres semblent très impressionnants, en
1955, on comptait 50 000 individus, un sommet. Par la suite, la
population a considérablement diminué, pour n'atteindre que 7 000
individus cinq ans plus tard (en 1960). Elle a ensuite progressivement remonté jusqu'à atteindre les 20 000 individus que nous
comptons aujourd'hui. Présentement, nous développons des liens
avec Environnement Canada et les biologistes locaux qui nous
l'espérons, seront en mesure de nous aider. Nous devrions tous être
fiers de contribuer à la conservation de cette population de
macareux qui est reconnue par BirdLife International comme ayant
une «importance mondiale».
Plusieurs autres espèces d’oiseaux nichent sur l'île et s’alimentent
dans les eaux avoisinantes, dont le Petit pingouin (6 283 individus
recensés en 2005). La colonie de l'Île est également reconnue
d'importance mondiale. Cette espèce a une aire de reproduction
restreinte au Québec, ce qui fait que cette colonie est
particulièrement importante pour la province. On y retrouve
également le Guillemot marmette, le Guillemot à miroir, les eiders, le
Goéland argenté, le Goéland marin, le Goéland à bec cerclé ainsi que
les sternes communes et arctiques. La nidification des sternes reste à
confirmer, mais elles sont présentes et s’alimentent en grand nombre.
Un recensement général de plusieurs sanctuaires le long de la Basse
Côte-Nord a été effectué en 2005 et le sanctuaire de Baie-de-Brador
comptait parmi eux (seizième recensement des populations d'oiseaux
marins dans les Sanctuaires de la Côte-Nord du golfe du SaintLaurent, par Jean-François Rail et Richard Cotter; Service canadien
de la faune, Ste-Foy, Québec). Dans ce rapport, les auteurs ont
souligné ce qui suit: «La plus grande concentration de Macareux
moines nichant dans la province de Québec a toujours été située
dans le Sanctuaire de la Baie-de-Brador. Heureusement, nos
résultats ont démontré une augmentation de 27 % de cette colonie
entre 1999 et 2005, en contraste avec les baisses observées dans
d'autres grandes colonies de macareux sur la Côte-Nord. Baie de
Brador abrite maintenant 79 % de tous les macareux se reproduisant
dans les sanctuaires de la Côte Nord. Durant la même période, le
taux de croissance annuel de la population de Petit Pingouin était
élevé (6,9%), mais semblable aux autres régions, et le nombre de
Guillemots marmette monta étonnamment de 50 % par an. À
d'autres égards, la colonie de Mouettes tridactyle découvertes en
1999 avait déjà disparu en 2005. Nous avons débarqué sur l'île aux
Perroquets, le 30 Juin et 1er Juillet.» Les dates où Rail et Cotter on
fait leur recensement en 2005 coïncide presque exactement avec la
date où Jean et moi étions là-bas.
Ce qui nous a frappé sur l'île cette année, c’est le grand nombre
d'oiseaux présents - la dernière fois que j'ai vu un tel spectacle, ce
fût sur une falaise dans les Iles Shetland il y a vingt ans ou plus. Nous
avons abandonné notre estimation du nombre d’oiseaux sur l'île et
dans les eaux avoisinantes après avoir dépassé les 100 000 mais il y
en avait beaucoup plus que ça - sans aucun doute. En fait, la forte
densité d'oiseaux dans l'eau nous a fait penser à une véritable
«soupe d’oiseau». Pour ceux d'entre nous qui somment habitués à
chercher des oiseaux dans le feuillage dense des forêts et de
travailler fort pour obtenir le plus d’espèces possible lors d’une
excursion ornithologique, cette étonnante richesse et cette diversité
sont un exemple de ce que la nature peut nous offrir lorsque les
conditions sont parfaites. Ces centaines de milliers d'oiseaux sur les
rochers et flottant sur l'eau resterons gravés dans notre mémoire. Le
ballet aérien et les plongées de sternes constituent toujours un
spectacle qui nous touche droit au cœur ; sans parler du défilé en
formation d'une cinquantaine ou plus d’eiders mâles atterrissant sur
«Soupe d’oiseau» (RG©Sparroworks)
7
l'eau près de nous, du Bruant des prés qui semblait apprivoisé,
cherchant son déjeuner à deux pas de nous dans les roches le long
du rivage, ou du Busard Saint-Martin chassant dans la toundra
derrière. Tous ont ajouté à la beauté de la découverte.
Il est intéressant de noter que les associations touristiques locales
sont bien conscientes de l'importance de l'île-aux-Perroquets et font
des efforts pour le suggérer aux touristes en visite. Elles ont même
inclus un lien vers notre site internet : on ne nous oublie pas dans
cette région lointaine! Le long de la route côtière, un grand panneau
désigne l'île comme une ressource environnementale et écologique, à
côté d'un stationnement de gravier et d'une plate-forme d'observation
munie d’une lunette de repérage pour observer les oiseaux à distance
... et tout cela sans aucun frais pour POQ. Tourisme Basse-Côte-Nord
note dans leur littérature que « Le sanctuaire d’oiseaux migrateurs de
la baie-de-Brador est le berceau de la plus grande colonie de
Macareux moine du Québec, avec plus de 20 000 de ces oiseaux
colorés. La Buse pattue, le Busard Saint- Martin et le Hibou des
marais comptent parmi les oiseaux de proie pouvant être observés
volant à basse altitude à la recherche de proies. » D'autres oiseaux
sont aussi mis en évidence : «La migration d'automne permet
d’observer de nombreux oiseaux de rivage. Grand et Petit chevalier,
Pluvier semipalmé, et de nombreux petits limicoles se rassemblent
dans les baies, surtout à marée basse. Le Bécasseau sanderling longe
le bord de vagues pour se nourrir. Plusieurs espèces de gélinotte et de
lagopède sont également fréquents dans la région. Avec l'arrivée de
l'hiver et des températures beaucoup plus froides, vous pouvez
observer le Harfang des neiges. De nombreux et grands vols de
Plectrophanes des neiges peuvent être vus aux abords des routes.»
Cela nous démontre que l'Île-aux-Perroquets n'est pas isolée, mais
qu’elle fait partie d'un écosystème beaucoup plus vaste et vulnérable.
Bien sûr, tous ceux qui voyagent là-bas en vacances et pour observer
les oiseaux, doivent se rappeler que tous ces oiseaux sont très
sensibles aux perturbations humaines. La règlementation régissant
les sanctuaires d’oiseaux migrateurs souligne que personne ne doit
perturber, détruire ou de prendre des nids d'oiseaux migrateurs, ni
mener quelqu’activité pouvant être néfaste à ces oiseaux, leurs œufs
ou leur habitat. Malheureusement cette règlementation n’est pas
toujours appliquée par le gouvernement. Que vous regardiez de la
rive ou que vous vous rapprochiez par bateau, il est important d'être
respectueux de cette loi. Au cours de la saison de nidification, les
débarquements sur les îles ne sont autorisés qu’avec un permis
spécial. Il y a eu dans le passée «des chercheurs d’œufs» qui ont
causé beaucoup de dommages à ces populations d'oiseaux. Les
populations locales ont une tradition de collecte d’œufs d'oiseaux de
mer et en ont certainement collecté sur notre île. Ces dernières
années, des initiatives d'éducation par des groupes tels que La
Fédération Québec Labrador ont contribué à faire diminuer cette
pratique, mais l'interdire est un sujet très délicat à cause de
l'importance culturelle de cette pratique pour les communautés
locales.
Nombres des oiseaux depuis 1925
70 000
52 500
35 000
17 500
0
1925
1935
1945
1955
1965
1982
2010
Atlantic Puffin/Macareux moine
Common Murre/Guillemot marmette
Razorbill/Petit Pingouin
Bien que POQ ait plutôt laissé l'île à elle-même depuis 1937, je
suggère, sachant ce que nous connaissons aujourd’hui, qu'il est
temps d'assurer une plus grande part de responsabilité. Une des
premières choses à faire serait d'organiser des recensements des
populations d’oiseaux de l'île afin d’obtenir une image détaillée de
ces oiseaux sur un certain nombre d'années et d'essayer de relier les
fluctuations de leurs populations à la météo, l’achalandage
touristique, la disponibilité de leurs nourriture, l'effet de la pêche dans
les eaux avoisinantes et la collecte des œufs. Ce n'est pas un projet
facile à accomplir à une telle distance et j'espère que les
administrateurs de POQ seront en mesure de mettre au point un
programme pour faire autant que puisse nous permettre notre budget
et la disponibilité des gens à s’impliquer dans ce projet. Après tout,
c'est précisément pour la préservation de ces précieux et vulnérables
sites ornithologiques que nos membres donnent leur appui.
Ainsi, aux côtés de nos sanctuaires plus "entretenus" et accessibles
tels Philipsburg (où nous en sommes actuellement au milieu d'une
Canada (l'énorme réserve Alfred Kelly
à Piédmont / Prévost).
Malheurseusement, ce travail de
conservation est onereux. En effet,
attendu que nous devons acheter et
maintenir en bon état ces terrains, il
faut de plus acquitter inévitablement
les taxes locales ce qui ajoute un
fardeau sur le plan financier. Notre
travail est effectué par des bénévoles,
parfois difficiles à trouver pour nos
plus grands projets. La prochaine
étape des travaux à l'Île-auxPerroquets fera probablement appel à
des biologistes professionnels pour
procéder à des recensements de
populations et une étude de l'habitat.
L’an prochain, nous ferons
certainement appel à de nouveaux
bénévoles pour notre sanctuaire de
Philipsburg afin d’aménager les
sentiers, de rénover les plateformes
d’observation, d’installer des
Eiders à duvet avec leurs oisillons RG©Sparroworks
panneaux d'information, de faire des
recensements d’oiseaux et ainsi de
suite. C'est une chose à laquelle nous
pouvons tous contribuer et nous espérons que beaucoup d'entre vous
réevaulation majeure des installations de de la gestion de l’habitat) le
seront en mesure d'offrir leur temps pour cet important travail lorsque
marais d’Alderbrooke, les îles de Varennes, la Réserve naturelle Alf
nous serons prêts.
Kelly, Breckenridge, et divers petits sanctuaires protégés près de
Montréal, nous pouvons ajouter cette merveilleuse île avec sa diversité
En attendant, si vous êtes en mesure d'aller sur la basse côte nord,
d’oiseaux marins «d’importance mondiale». Ces sanctuaires dont nous
allez faire un tour à notre île pour voir «nos» macareux. C’est vraiment
sommes responsables nous rappellent la signification de notre nom.
un endroit magique. En soutenant POQ avec votre adhésion, vos
En tant qu’organisme d'observation des oiseaux, nous encourageons
dons et votre temps rend tout cela possible. La conservation est un
l'éducation à la faune, nous soutenons la recherché ornithologique et
travail important; laissons les merveilleux macareux de l'Ile-auxnous organisons des excursions hebdomadaires sur le terrain pour
Perroquets nous inspirer.
aider les membres et les visiteurs à être en contact direct avec les
oiseaux du Québec. Mais tout ça présuppose qu’il y ait des oiseaux
présents dans ces endroits. Aucun oiseau ou autre animal ne peut
survivre longtemps sans un habitat adéquat et approprié. La
conservation et la protection de ces habitats est la pierre angulaire de
Protection des Oiseaux du Québec, grâce au soutien de ses membres.
Certains de ces travaux que nous faisons nous-mêmes en tant que
propriétaires de sanctuaires (Île-aux-Perroquets, Philipsburg, etc.), et
certains autres qui sont effectués en collaboration avec des
partenaires
tels Conservation de la Nature du
9
Waterfowl Broods –
Reflections from Lake
St. Francis
by Norm Seymour
I have spent part of every summer since 1946 on the Ontario side of
Lake St. Francis. This little-known and relatively inaccessible western
extension of southern Quebec is wedged between Ontario and New
York State. It includes the Akwesasne Mohawk reserve. My earliest
recollections are only memories, but since the 1970s, I have
documented a list of breeding waterfowl on the reserve lands. The
following are general observations.
Until the 1970s, the Blue-winged Teal and American Black Duck were
the most abundant breeding ducks. This had all changed by the early
1980s when teal and Black Duck had declined dramatically. By then
the Mallard was the most common breeding duck and by the mid1990s it was rare to see broods of teal or Black Ducks. There were
some mixed pairs of Black Ducks X Mallards, both Black Duck males
with female Mallards and vice versa. I found no teal broods during
the 2000s. American Wigeon began breeding in the 1970s and were
relatively common for the next two decades. Interestingly, they’re
less common now, and Gadwall, which began breeding in the 1990s,
may be the most common breeding dabbling duck after the Mallard.
I’ve seen the occasional Northern Shoveler brood in all decades, and
until the 1960s I very occasionally saw Northern Pintail broods. I
have not seen Wood Duck broods but a reliable and very
experienced friend says that he has seen a brood or two over the
years.
I believe that there has been at least one brood hatched on
Cameron’s (Thompson) island annually from as far back as I can
recall. In fact, on two other islands, specific willow trees have been
the nesting site of female Common Goldeneye for about 20 years.
Common Mergansers were only occasional breeders before the
1970’s but they became rather common during the 1990s and are
now abundant. Crèches of 30 or more ducklings are not exceptional.
Of course, Canada Geese rival the Mallard as the most common
breeding waterfowl. A rarity until the 1980s, they now breed on virtually
every island and on both shores of Lake St. Francis.
Norman Seymour is passionate about ducks and habitat conservation. A
former student of Rodger Titman, he taught wildlife biology at St. Francis
Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, for over 30 years. He is
currently retired and living with his wife Andrea in Toronto. He is the author
of several books including Living a Dream:The Education of a Duck Hunter.
Norm invites you to contact him at [email protected] if you
have questions or would like more information about the waterfowl of
the Lake St. Francis region.
In my experience, Redheads have bred in the marshes at the mouth
of the Salmon River since the 1940s, and they continue to be a
relatively common sight. In that vicinity I saw my first Canvasback
brood, in 2011: eight three-week-old ducklings with their mother.
Common Goldeneye have bred on the reserve islands since the
1940s, and in 2010 a knowledgeable friend counted eitght broods
Northern Pintail adult and young © Rodger Titman)
10
Bird Views
Parlons d’oiseaux
A summary of interesting bird sightings in Montréal
and around the province - by Pierre Bannon
Un bilan des observations intéressantes à Montréal et à
travers la province - par Pierre Bannon
March-May 2012
Mars-mai 2012
Pink-footed Goose: a bird at Saint-Romuald 18 March was record
early (O. Barden). Barnacle Goose: reported in above-normal
numbers: Chambly 21 March (R. Belhumeur), Baie-du-Febvre 1-14
April (P. Otis et al.), Victoriaville 18 April-7 May (C. Roy et al.),
Duhamel 12 May (D. & L. Perrier), and Cap-Chat 18 May
(A. Maltais). Mute Swan: singles at Sainte-Clothilde-deChâteauguay 25 April onwards (Y. Demers, J. Higgins), and at
Yamaska Park 26 May (R. Gagné, D. Brunelle). Trumpeter Swan:
one at Malartic 12 April was record early (F. Vachon), and 5 at
Arntfield 19 April (J. Gagnon, I. Dorion). Tundra Swan: 2 at
Beauport 25 March (R. Bélanger). Eurasian Wigeon: only 5 birds
reported, down from 12 last spring. Green-winged Teal: only 2
birds of the European crecca race reported compared to 7 last
spring. Canvasback: a pair at Saint-Eustache 29 April (A. Robert,
C. Sauvageau). Barrow’s Goldeneye: rare in Abitibi, one was at
Val d’Or 29-30 April (C. Siano et al.). Gray Partridge: 17 at RivièreOuelle 10 March (C. Auchu, C. Girard). Wild Turkey: one at SaintOnésime-d’Ixworth 13 May, probably the easternmost record in the
province (JF. Rousseau).
Red-throated Loon: numbers culminated to 7,644 on 12 May at
Rivière-Ouelle (Girard, C. Auchu). Pacific Loon: an adult in
breeding plumage was photographed at Pointe-des-Monts 29 May
(R. Gingras). American White Pelican: singles at Jonquière 20
May (PL. Fortier, J. Roy) and at Saint-Fulgence 24 May
(G. Savard, C. Cormier). Finally, 3 were photographed on lake
Saint-Pierre 19 May (P. Roy). Least Bittern: one at Rimouski 1819 May (R. Pelletier, J. Mckindsey). Great Egret: one at Verdun
16 March, a record early date (S. Teasdale). Little Egret: a bird in
full-breeding plumage was photographed 22 May at Listuguj,
Gaspé Pen., the second record only for Québec (J. Murvin
Vicaire). Snowy Egret: singles in the Magdalen Is. 15-31 May
(DG. Gaudet, CA. Gaudet) and at Chute Montmorency 28 May
(E. Desfossé- Foucault). Little Blue Heron: singles at Haldimand
11
Oie à bec court: un indiv. à Saint-Romuald 18 mars, une date hâtive
record (O. Barden). Bernache nonnette: signalée plus souvent ce
printemps: Chambly 21 mars (R. Belhumeur), Baie-du-Febvre 1-14
avril (P. Otis et al.), Victoriaville 18 avril-7 mai (C. Roy et al.), Duhamel
12 mai (D. & L. Perrier), et Cap-Chat 18 mai (A. Maltais). Cygne
tuberculé: des indiv. à Sainte-Clothilde-de-Châteauguay à partir du
25 avril (Y. Demers, J. Higgins), et au parc Yamaska 26 mai
(R. Gagné, D. Brunelle). Cygne trompette: un à Malartic 12 avril, une
date hâtive record (F. Vachon), et 5 à Arntfield 19 avril (J. Gagnon,
I. Dorion). Cygne siffleur: 2 à Beauport 25 mars (R. Bélanger).
Canard siffleur: seulement 5 oiseaux signalés, comparativement à12
lors du printemps 2011. Sarcelle d’hiver: 2 oiseaux de la race crecca
comparé à 7 au printemps 2011. Fuligule à dos blanc: un couple à
Saint-Eustache 29 avril (A. Robert, C. Sauvageau). Garrot d’Islande:
rare en Abitibi, un mâle à Val d’Or 29-30 avril (C. Siano et al.). Perdrix
grise: 17 à Rivière-Ouelle 10 mars (C. Auchu, C. Girard). Dindon
sauvage: un à Saint-Onésime-d’Ixworth 13 mai, apparemment la
mention la plus à l’est dans la province (JF. Rousseau).
Plongeon catmarin: un pic de 7 644 indiv le 12 mai à Rivière-Ouelle
(Girard, C. Auchu). Plongeon du Pacifique: un adulte en plumage
nuptial photographié à Pointe-des-Monts 29 mai (R. Gingras). Pélican
d’Amérique: des indiv. à Jonquières 20 mai (PL. Fortier, J. Roy) et à
Saint-Fulgence 24 mai (G. Savard, C. Cormier). Puis 3 photographiés
sur le lac Saint-Pierre 19 mai (P. Roy). Petit Blongios: un à Rimouski
18-19 mai (R. Pelletier, J. Mckindsey). Grande Aigrette: une à
Verdun 16 mars, une date hâtive record (S. Teasdale). Aigrette
garzette: un oiseau en plumage nuptial photographié 22 mai à
Listuguj, Gaspésie; il s’agit de la 2ième mention pour le Québec
(J. Murvin Vicaire). Aigrette neigeuse: des indiv. aux îles de la
Madeleine 15-31 mai (DG. Gaudet, CA. Gaudet) et aux chutes
Montmorency 28 mai (E. Desfossé-Foucault). Aigrette bleue: des
indiv. à Haldimand 13 mai (P. Fallu, N. Mercier) et à Hudson 21 mai
13 May (P. Fallu, N. Mercier) and at Hudson 21 May (W. Grubert et
al.). Tricolored Heron: one at Cap Tourmente 20 May
(D. Campeau et al.). Cattle Egret: one at Île Bizard 21 May
00(S. Lasalle). Black- crowned Night-Heron: 2 at Saint-Jean-surRichelieu 11 March, a record early date (F. Boulet). Glossy Ibis:
singles at Cabano 25 April (C. Courbron), Havre-Aubert 2 May
(G. Chiasson, fide S. Cyr), and Douglastown 31 May (G. Turcotte).
Osprey: one at Masson 18 March was very early (L. Chénier).
Swainson’s Hawk: a sighting reported at Rigaud 25 April (G. Huot,
J. Cadieux), while a first year bird was well documented with a
photo at Saint-Fabien 19 May (D. Desjardins). Golden Eagle:
excellent numbers of migrants reported west of Montreal: 23 tallied
on 18 March at Godmanchester (S. Denault, F. Morneau,
D. Daigneault).
Sandhill Crane: again this year, a new provincial record-early date
was established at Dundee where a bird was seen 11 March
(P. Laniel). Two chicks hatched at this location on 5 May, a very
early date (J. De Marre) Piping Plover: 4 birds in the Magdalen Is
11 April were record early (A. Richard). Willet: singles at Pointedes-Cascades 20 May (A. Quenneville et al.) and at Pointe
Yamachiche 31 May (A. Maire, J. Gélinas). Ruff: a female at SaintBarthélémy 4 May (Y. Gauthier) and a male at Rimouski 15 May
(G. Proulx, JM. Turgeon). Wilson’s Phalarope: singles at Roberval
26 May (J. Rousseau, C. Bellemarre et al.), at Grande-Rivière 21
May (D. Mercier) and at Bonaventure 29 May (B. Arsenault). Rednecked Phalarope: one well described at Chambly 21 April, record
early by nearly 2 weeks (L. Cournoyer et al.).
Black-headed Gull: singles at Cabano 13 May (M. Beaulieu), and
at Tadoussac 20 May (R. Pintiaux et al.). Laughing Gull: singles
ads at Baie-du-Febvre 14 April (A. Daigle et al.) and at L’Isle-Verte
16 April (A. Anctil) were early. Franklin’s Gull: one at La Malbaie
30 May (R. Gingras, J. Forgues). Great Black-backed X
Glaucous Gull: this presumed hybrid was seen at Pointe-au-Père
6 March (A. Anctil, H. Johansen). Parasitic Jaeger: well in
evidence this spring: 46 at Rivière-Ouelle 27 May (C. Auchu,
C. Girard) and 35 at Tadoussac 30 May (R. Pintiaux).
Eurasian Collared-Dove: 4 still at Sainte-Brigide d’Iberville 11
March; singles at Sainte-Félicité 12 March (J. Deschênes), at
12
(W. Grubert et al.). Aigrette tricolore: une à Cap Tourmente 20 mai
(D. Campeau et al.). Héron garde-boeufs: un à l’île Bizard 21 mai
(S. Lasalle). Bihoreau gris: 2 à Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu 11 mars,
une date hâtive record (F. Boulet). Ibis falcinelle: des indiv. à
Cabano 25 avril (C. Courbron), Havre-Aubert 2 mai (G. Chiasson,
fide S. Cyr), et Douglastown 31 mai (G. Turcotte).
Babuzard pêcheur: un à Masson 18 mars, hâtif (L. Chénier). Buse
de Swainson: une observation à Rigaud 25 avril (G. Huot,
J. Cadieux), et un oiseau documenté à l’aide d’une photo à SaintFabien 19 mai (D. Desjardins). Aigle royal: de bons nombres de
migrateurs à l’ouest de Montréal: 23 dénombrés le 18 mars à
Godmanchester (S. Denault, F. Morneau, D. Daigneault).
Grue du Canada: encore une fois, une date hâtive record à Dundee
pour cette espèce aperçue le 11 mars (P. Laniel). Deux poussins sont
nés à cet endroit le 5 mai, une date très hâtive (J. De Marre). Pluvier
siffleur: 4 oiseaux aux IDLM 11 avril, une date hâtive record
(A. Richard). Chevalier semipalmé: des indiv. à Pointe-desCascades 20 mai (A. Quenneville et al.) et à Pointe Yamachiche 31
mai (A. Maire, J. Gélinas). Combattant varié: une femelle à SaintBarthélémy 4 mai (Y. Gauthier) et un mâle à Rimouski 15 mai
(G. Proulx, JM. Turgeon). Phalarope de Wilson: des indiv. À
Roberval 26 mai (J. Rousseau, C. Bellemarre et al.), à Grande-Rivière
21 mai (D. Mercier) et à Bonaventure 29 mai (B. Arsenault).
Phalarope à bec étroit: un oiseau bien décrit à Chambly 21 avril, une
date hâtive record par près de 2 semaines (L. Cournoyer et al.).
Mouette rieuse: des indiv. à Cabano 13 mai (M. Beaulieu), et à
Tadoussac 20 mai (R. Pintiaux et al.). Mouette atricille: des ad. À
Baie-du-Febvre 14 avril (A. Daigle et al.) et à L’Isle-Verte 16 avril (A.
Anctil), hâtifs. Mouette de Franklin: une à La Malbaie 30 mai
(R. Gingras, J. Forgues). Goéland marin X Goéland bourgmestre:
cet hybride présumé a été aperçu à Pointe-au-Père 6 mars (A. Anctil,
H. Johansen). Labbe parasite: très en évidence ce printemps: 46 à
Rivière-Ouelle 27 mai (C. Auchu, C. Girard) et 35 à Tadoussac 30 mai
(R. Pintiaux).
Tourterelle turque: 4 encore à Sainte-Brigide d’Iberville 11 mars; des
indiv. à Sainte-Félicité 12 mars (J. Deschênes), à Nicolet 27 mars (J.
Bélanger, Y. Dugré), et à Lorrainville 20-22 avril (L. Dubé, fide J.
Fréchette). Harfang des neiges: le nombre de migrateurs en route
vers le nord a atteint 20 à Saint-Clet 17 mars (M. Dennis).
Nicolet 27 March (J. Bélanger, Y. Dugré), and at Lorrainville 20-22
April (L. Dubé, fide J. Fréchette). Snowy Owl: number of
northbound migrants reached 20 at Saint-Clet 17 March
(M. Dennis). Eastern Whip-poor-will: one at Gaspé 21-27 May,
very rare on the Gaspé Pen. (S. Marchand). Ruby-throated
Hummingbird: 3 different birds were reported 16 April when the
temperature rose to 30°C, establishing a record early date: Hudson
(R. Stanford), Mansonville (T. Beauchemin) and Beaulac-Garthby
(P. Lavoie). Red-headed Woodpecker: singles at Saint-Léon-leGrand until 4 March, Lac-Simon from early Feb through 15 March
(J. Martel et al), and Baie d’Urfé 23 May (ph., M. Beauchamp, fide
B. MacDuff). Red-bellied Woodpecker: a belated report of one at
Evain 26 Jan-5 Feb (J. Bélanger), rare in Abitibi. Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker: one in the Mount Royal Cemetery 21 March was
record early (E. Samson). Willow Flycatcher: one at Dundee 5
May was record early (DJ. Léandri-Breton). Eastern Phoebe: one
at Plaisance 12 March, a record early date (R. Schryer). Say’s
Phoebe: one at Saint-Pacôme 6 May (T. Biteau).
Loggerhead Shrike: one nicely photographed at Pointe-desMonts 27 May (R. Gingras). Fish Crow: 2 observers familiar with
the species convincingly described a bird calling at Sainte-Annede-Bellevue 20 April (B. MacDuff, S. Duval). Bank Swallow: one
at Plaisance 11 April, a record early date (RL. Dubois, D. Dallaire).
Brown Creeper: a pair was already building a nest at Île des
Soeurs 22 March (P. Bannon). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: a pair was
building a nest at Dundee 18 May (D. & S. Harvey). Rubycrowned Kinglet: 2 at Granby 18 March were very early
(S. Labbé). Northern Wheatear: one at Radisson 27 May
(C. Vallières, F. Morneau). Townsend’s Solitaire: one until at least
11 March at Charlesbourg Est (J. Boulianne, A. Potvin); another
one was at Tadoussac 6 March (M. Moisan). Hermit Thrush:
extremely rare in March, one was spotted at Pointe-Claire 7 March
(J. Tremblay) and one at Québec City 20 March (B. Tremblay).
They may have been early migrants or wintering birds. Varied
Thrush: the bird at Stanbridge Station continued to at least 12
March (m. obs.); another appeared briefly at Pont Rouge 1st April
(F & R. Dion).
Yellow-throated Warbler: singles at Pointe-au-Chêne 9 May
(F. Morand) and at Amos 19 May, first for Abitibi (ph., S. Lavallée).
Prairie Warbler: one at Cap Tourmente 25 May (M. Raymond,
13
Engoulevent bois-pourri: un à Gaspé 21-27 mai, très rare en
Gaspésie (S. Marchand). Colibri à gorge rubis: 3 indiv. différents
signalés le 16 avril, une date hâtive record, alors que la température a
monté à 30°C: Hudson (R. Stanford), Mansonville (T. Beauchemin) et
Beaulac-Garthby (P. Lavoie). Pic à tête rouge: des indiv. à SaintLéon-le-Grand jusqu’au 4 mars, Lac-Simon du début fév jusqu’au 15
mars (J. Martel et al), et à Baie d’Urfé 23 mai (ph., M. Beauchamp,
fide B. MacDuff). Pic à ventre roux: un oiseau signalé tardivement à
Évain 26 jan-5 fév (J. Bélanger), rare en Abitibi. Pic maculé: un au
cimetière du Mont-Royal 21 mars, un date hâtive record (E. Samson).
Moucherolle des saules: un à Dundee 5 mai, une date hâtive record
(DJ. Léandri-Breton). Moucherolle phébi: un à Plaisance 12 mars,
une date hâtive record (R. Schryer). Moucherolle à ventre roux: un à
Saint-Pacôme 6 mai (T. Biteau).
Pie-grièche migratrice: une très bien documentée à Pointe-desMonts 27 mai (ph., R. Gingras). Corneille de rivage: 2 observateurs
familiers avec cette espèce ont décrit de façon convaincante un
oiseau émettant son cri à Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue 20 avril
(B. MacDuff, S. Duval). Hirondelle de rivage: une à Plaisance 11
avril, une date hâtive record (RL. Dubois, D. Dallaire). Grimpereau
brun:
un couple construisait déjà un nid à l’île des Soeurs 22 mars, une date
hâtive (P. Bannon). Gobemoucheron gris-bleu: un couple
construisait un nid à Dundee 18 mai (D. & S. Harvey). Roitelet à
couronne rubis: 2 à Granby 18 mars, une date hâtive (S. Labbé).
Traquet motteux: un à Radisson 27 mai (C. Vallières, F. Morneau).
Solitaire de Townsend: un jusqu’au 11 mars à Charlesbourg Est
(J. Boulianne, A. Potvin); un autre à Tadoussac 6 mars (M. Moisan).
Grive solitaire: une rareté en mars, une a été aperçue à PointeClaire 7 mars (J. Tremblay) et une à Québec 20 mars (B. Tremblay). Il
pourrait s’agir de migrateurs hâtifs ou d’hivernants. Grive à collier: un
indiv. à Stanbridge Station jusqu’au 12 mars (pl. ob.); un autre vu
brièvement à Pont Rouge 1er avril (F & R. Dion).
Paruline à gorge jaune: des indiv. à Pointe-au-Chêne 9 mai
(F. Morand) et à Amos 19 mai, la première en Abitibi (ph., S. Lavallée).
Paruline des prés: une à Cap Tourmente 25 mai (M. Raymond,
P. Lane). Paruline noir et blanc: une à Cowansville 2 avril, une date
hâtive record (G. Poirier). Paruline orangée: une à Yamachiche 18
mai (ph., A. Maire, J. Gélinas). Paruline hochequeue: une à
Wakefield 20 mai (C. Savignac). Paruline à gorge grise: un mâle
chantait au parc Summit 19 mai (D. Myburgh).
P. Lane). Black-and-white Warbler: one at Cowansville 2 April
was record early (G. Poirier). Prothonotary Warbler: one at
Yamachiche 18 May (ph., A. Maire, J. Gélinas). Louisiana
Waterthrush: one at Wakefield 20 May (C. Savignac).
Connecticut Warbler: a male singing at Summit Park 19 May
(D. Myburgh).
Chipping Sparrow: single birds at Saint-Marc-sur Richelieu 16
March and in the Mount Royal Cemetery 22 March were very early.
Swamp Sparrow: one at Dundee 25 March was early. Harris’s
Sparrow: singles at Mont-Saint-Grégoire until 15 March (m. obs.),
at Saint-Henri-de-Lévis 3 May (F. Chouinard) and at Bic 24 May
(ph., F. Viau, J. Beaulieu). Summer Tanager: single males at
l’Anse-à-Beaufils 18-22 April, a record early date (M. Cyr,
A. Couture) and at Girardville 6 May (R. Saint-Gelais). Western
Tanager: one at Lascelles 3-5 May (M. Labelle et al.). Blue
Grosbeak: a male at Pointe-au-Père 9 May (B. Poirier), and single
females at Bic 8-12 May (N. Charest) and at Lavernière 15-16 May
(B. Vigneault, A. Richard). Indigo Bunting: reported much more
frequently than usual in E. Québec this spring eg. 12 reported on
the Gaspé Pen. from 22 April onwards (fide P. Poulin). Yellowheaded Blackbird: single ad males at Bic 19 April (R. Pelletier,
L. Masson, J. Veillette) and Saint-Félicien 1 May (S. Boivin). One
also at Saint-Pierre-les-Becquets 16 May (J. Robitaille). Orchard
Oriole: a first summer male at Grande-Rivière 28 May (D. Mercier).
Bullock’s Oriole: single ad males at Pohénégamook 18 April
(F. Levasseur (fide J. Larivée) and at Saint-Pacôme 21-26 April
(A. Lavoie, JF. Rousseau, D. Faucher) were probably the same
individual. First spring record. European Goldfinch: 2 at Val d’Or
31 March (P. Trudel), and singles at Matapédia 24-25 March (P.
Beaupré) and at La Martre 3 May (P. Vallée). Greenfinch: one at
Matapédia 5-9 April (P. Beaupré, P. Dufour). Its faded colours
suggested a bird of captive origin.
Please report your interesting bird observations to: Pierre Bannon,
1517 Leprohon, Montréal, Qc H4E 1P1. Tel: 514-766-8767 after
7:00 p.m. or by E-mail at.: [email protected]
14
Bruant familier: des indiv. à Saint-Marc-sur Richelieu 16 mars et au
cimetière Mont-Royal 22 mars étaient très hâtifs. Bruant des marais:
un oiseau hâtif à Dundee 25 mars. Bruant à face noire: des indiv. à
Mont-Saint-Grégoire jusqu’au 15 mars (pl. ob.), à Saint-Henri-de-Lévis
3 mai (F. Chouinard) et à Bic 24 mai (ph., F. Viau, J. Beaulieu).
Piranga vermillon: des mâles à l’Anse-à-Beaufils 18-22 avril, une
date hâtive record (M. Cyr, A. Couture) et à Girardville 6 mai (R. SaintGelais). Piranga à tête rouge: un à Lascelles 3-5 mai (M. Labelle et
al.). Guiraca bleu: un mâle à Pointe-au-Père 9 mai (B. Poirier), et des
femelles à Bic 8-12 mai (N. Charest) et Lavernière 15-16 mai
(B. Vigneault, A. Richard). Passerin indigo: plus fréquent qu’à
l’habitude dans l’est du Québec ce printemps, eg. 12 signalés en
Gaspésie à partir du 22 avril (fide P. Poulin). Carouge à tête jaune:
des mâles ad. à Bic 19 avril (R. Pelletier, L. Masson, J. Veillette) et à
Saint-Félicien 1er mai (S. Boivin). Un autre indiv. à Saint-Pierre-lesBecquets 16 mai (J. Robitaille). Oriole des vergers: un mâle de 1er
été à Grande-Rivière 28 mai (D. Mercier). Oriole de Bullock: des
mâles ad. à Pohénégamook 18 avril (F. Levasseur (fide J. Larivée) et
à Saint-Pacôme 21-26 avril (A. Lavoie, JF. Rousseau, D. Faucher)
représentaient probablement le même individu. Première mention au
printemps. Chardonneret élégant: 2 à Val d’Or 31 mars (P. Trudel),
et des indiv. à Matapédia 24-25mars (P. Beaupré) et à La Martre 3 mai
(P. Vallée). Verdier d’Europe: un à Matapédia 5-9 avril (P. Beaupré,
P. Dufour). Ses couleurs ternes étaient plutôt compatibles avec un
oiseau d’origine captive.
Veuillez communiquer vos observations intéressantes à : Pierre
Bannon, 1517 Leprohon, Montréal, Qc H4E 1P1. Tél :
514-766-8767 en soirée. Courriel : [email protected]
Congrès des ornithologues
amateurs du Québec (COAQ)
by Nick Acheson
I attended the fourth Congrès des ornithologues amateurs du Québec
in Victoriaville, on September 15, 2010, and presented a talk on the
sanctuaries owned by Bird Protection Quebec. It was a very
interesting and enjoyable event and I would recommend that any
members of our organization who can understand French plan to
attend the Fifth Congrès, taking place on September 15 and 16, 2012
at the 'Hotel des Seigneurs in Saint-Hyacinthe. For rmore information
on the upcoming conference, visit http://bit.ly/NAVCAl
These meetings are held every two years and are organized by
Regroupement Québec Oiseaux (RQO), an organization that
represents 32 birding clubs in Quebec, most of them with names such
as “Club des ornithologues…,” “Club d’ornithologie…” or “Club
ornithologique…”. BPQ is a member of RQO. This organization
publishes an attractive quarterly magazine, Québec Oiseaux, as well
as providing other services to its member clubs. As a member of BPQ,
you can join Regroupement Quebec Oiseaux and receive Québec
Oiseaux at reduced rates.
before lunch in each category lasted 45 minutes. I attended talks on
“Poisonous birds,” “Chester Albert Reed, the missing link,” “Protecting
l’Île-aux-Pommes,” “Aviation and birds, a difficult cohabitation,” and
“Changes in avian nomenclature and classification.” I found all
fascinating.
I had not known that certain birds (the best studied being pitohuis in
New Guinea) are poisonous to touch or eat. The pitohuis, birds that
resemble jays or tanagers, apparently acquire their poisonous coating
by eating insects that produce batrachotoxins, neurotoxins that can kill
humans at doses as low as 100 micrograms. These toxins are
secreted and are found on the feathers and skin of the pitohuis.
Interestingly, the same poisons are secreted by poisonous frogs of
Central and South America, and these frogs also acquire their poison
by ingesting insects that synthesize these toxins, probably melyrid
beetles, which are found worldwide.
The sessions were held in a large auditorium that could be divided
into three meeting rooms using sliding walls. I estimate that there
were approximately 400 people in attendance. The morning began
with greetings from the President and an invitation to fill in a form that
led to an “ornithological championship” to be held at the day’s end.
Participants were shown six colour photos of birds and asked to
identify the species, as well as given 15 questions concerning
knowledge about birds (some of them very specific, such as “what
year was a Vermillion Flycatcher seen at Pointe-aux-Prairies?”). They
were asked to submit their answers by 1 p.m.
Then three parallel sessions began: Loisir (leisure), Recherche
(research), and Conservation. A total of seven talks were given in
each category during the day-long meeting; six of these were 20minute talks followed by five minutes for questions, but the last talk
15
American Goldfinch August 2012 ©: Chuck Kling
Chester Albert Reed (d 1912) was trained as an electrical engineer
but spent his short life in Worcester, Massachusetts, drawing birds
and publishing a variety of pocket guides to birds (his father was a
book publisher). These were very popular, and the young Roger Tory
Peterson used Reed’s guides when he began his birdwatching career.
Reed’s drawings were meant to show the major field marks of birds,
and certainly influenced Peterson’s approach to painting pictures of
birds for his field guides. Reed also began to place birds with similar
plumage together in his guides, another hallmark of the Peterson
guides. Michel Chevalier, who gave this very interesting talk, has
spent almost two years learning about Reed and collecting copies of
his guides. He even found a descendant of Reed, who still has
numerous boxes in his basement containing all the original copper
plates used to print Reed’s books; M. Chevalier contacted the
Smithsonian Museum in Washington after discovering this, and they
showed great interest in acquiring these plates.
Gaston Dery gave a talk on his private bird sanctuary, l’Île-auxPommes, an island of 24 hectares in the St. Lawrence estuary near
Trois Pistoles. When he inherited this island from his father
30 years ago, it was inhabited by thousands of gulls and cormorants
and covered by guano; there was very little vegetation. He decided to
burn the existing vegetation and plant some native species, and this
resulted in the growth of a number of plants and grasses that
completely changed the ecology of the island, making it a haven for
ducks such as the Common Eider (3,000 nesting birds) and Razorbills,
as well as several species of gulls. His presentation was fascinating,
and it was followed by the first public viewing of a film on L’Île-auxPommes produced by Radio-Canada, which was screened later on the
program Semaine Verte. It can be viewed from the following link:
http://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/la_semaine_verte/
2009-2010/chronique.asp?idChronique=192915.
Michel Bertrand gave a very interesting talk on recent changes in
nomenclature (French, English, and Latin) for bird species, and the
relationship between nomenclature changes and changes in
classification (taxonomy), due to new evidence from DNA
sequencing. For example, the Winter Wren has recently been
divided into three species: a Eurasian species (Troglodytes
troglodytes), a species inhabiting Western North America (“Pacific
wren”, Troglodytes pacificus), and a species inhabiting Eastern North
16
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Philipsburg Bird Sanctuary
April 2012 © Chris Cloutier
changes in classification (taxonomy), due to new evidence from DNA
sequencing. For example, the Winter Wren has recently been divided
into three species: a Eurasian species (Troglodytes troglodytes), a
species inhabiting Western North America (“Pacific wren”,
Troglodytes pacificus), and a species inhabiting Eastern North
American (“Winter wren”, Troglodytes hiemalis). These are
distinguished by plumage and song. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing
suggests that the two North American species have been separated
for several million years!
My talk on the sanctuaries operated by BPQ was the last talk of the
day in the session on Conservation, and it was well
attended. I adapted a talk with PowerPoint slides that had been
prepared by Richard Gregson, and he and Jean Harwood Gregson
kindly explained to me in detail the history of BPQ sanctuaries,
helping me to prepare for this talk. Marie-Hélène Gauthier translated
the talk into French, which was very helpful as I could then give it
without wondering whether I was using correct vocabulary. There
were several questions from the floor, and a number of people came
up to chat after my talk. It was suggested to me that BPQ might
discuss future caretaking of our sanctuaries with people at
Regroupement Québec Oiseaux and with the Québec ministère du
Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs, as they
have a program to establish private sanctuaries; Hydro-Québec also
has a program that provides financial help for projects that involve
improving sanctuaries.
There were a number of kiosks in the entrance area around the
auditorium, and by far the largest was that of the Centre de
conservation de la faune ailée, manned by owner Alain Goulet, who is a
member of the Board of our Society. They displayed many attractive
books about birds, including the then new
(2010) edition of Oiseaux du Québec, by Jean Paquin (who was
present at the kiosk). I find that this book, which is a guide
based on photographs, is an excellent addition to any Quebec birder’s
library, and is particularly interesting for someone like myself who is
trying to learn the French names of birds. Each section of the book,
describing a family or group of related birds, begins with a set of small
colour photos of the species in that section. There is then a full page
dedicated to each species,with names in French, English, and Latin, a
large colour photo, and several smaller photos including female,
juvenile, and nonbreeding plumages. There is a brief description of
plumage, voice, habitat, and information on nesting, as well as a
distribution map and information on the presence of the bird during the
twelve months of the year.
At the end of the afternoon, the five individuals who had the highest
score on the questionnaire about birds took part in a competition to
determine the “champion”. This was fascinating and difficult;
questions were presented to the audience at the same time as to the
five participants, so we could try to guess (to ourselves)
17
the correct answers. One part showed us photos of birds for two
seconds, sometimes not in full breeding plumage, and asked for
identifications of the birds. Another part played a “symphony” of seven
distinct bird songs, one after the other, and again asked us to identify
the songs. It was challenging!
The evening banquet featured a speaker, Zachary Richard, who is a
well-known francophone poet and singer-songwriter, film producer,
and environmentalist from Louisiana; he gave an illustrated talk on the
recent oil spill and its effects on wildlife, particularly birds, and ended
by singing an excerpt from a Louisiana Acadian folksong.
Nick Acheson is an active member of the BPQ Board of Directors and coChiar of the Philipsburg Project Group. He was an avid birdwatcher from
the age of ten until other things like work and family took over in his
twenties. He finished a Ph.D. in virology at Rockefeller University, spent ten
years doing research on viruses in Switzerland and France, and moved to
Montreal in 1980, where he joined the Faculty of Medicine at McGill
University. Upon his retirement in 2005, he found time to revive his interest
in birds. He also wrote/edited a new textbook on viruses for undergraduate
university students.
.
Monday Night Lecture Series
Our Monday Night Lecture Series begins on October 1. All
lectures are held at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Crescent Kensington
and First Presbyterian Church, 625 Godfrey Ave., Montreal
October 1, 2012 – From Albatrosses to Zebra Doves –
The Birds of Kaua’i – with Marcel Gahbauer
Sun, surf, sand, palm trees – all of these are among the images that
spring to mind for the average person when they think of Hawaii.
Less evident to most visitors is the extent to which the few remnants
of native habitat (and their associated wildlife) are threatened. Just as
one example, of the 55 honeycreeper species that once lived in
Hawaii, only 17 remain – and 11 of those are listed as endangered.
Although the outlook for these and several other species looks grim,
at least a couple of local conservation groups are making a strong
effort to turn the tide. One of these, the Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery
Project, recently began inviting volunteers to participate in their
remote research work.
Marcel Gahbauer with an Iiwi –
A honeycreeper native to Hawaii, February 2012
18
Marcel Gahbauer spent 10 days with this group in February
2012, trading a sunny Calgary winter for camping a few kilometres
from Mount Wai’ale’ale, famous for being the wettest spot on earth.
His presentation will focus on the eight species of native forest birds
remaining on Kaua’i, as well as some of the non-native species that
have come to dominate the rest of the island – and also touching on
other aspects of the island’s geography and culture.
New Members
Greetings to new and returning members: Judith Appleby & Family,
Montreal; David Bird, Longueuil; Neil, Nicolis & Marysa Bonnema and
Natalie Kosyk, Brossard, Louise Fasano,Montreal; Shelley Kirk, Baie
d’Urfé; Régent Lapointe, Verdun; Susan Lindley & Clive Brewer,
Montreal; Nevin Majeed, Montreal; Sheila McCarthy, Montreal;
Howard & Wendy Stevens, Beaconsfield; Nancy Robinson Villarroel,
Montreal. We look forward to meeting you on our field trips and at our
monthly meetings.
Recent Field Trip Reports
17/03/12 – Hudson, QC – Leader: Barbara MacDu
Foggy, +7°C. !5 birders, 27 species
Birds of the Day: Pileated Woodpecker and Northern Shrike.
Other Birds of Note: Snow Goose, Red-shouldered Hawk, American
Tree Sparrow, Pine Siskin
24/03/12 – St-Barthelemy & Berthierville Islands, QC – Leader:
Joël Coutu
NE winds, just above 0°C. 23 birders; 42 species
Bird of the Day: Snowy Owl
Other Birds of Note: Snow Geese, 13 species of waterfowl,
Common Raven, Rusty Blackbird
31/03/12 – Verdun/LaSalle Waterfront & Nuns’ Island, QC –
Leader: Diane Demers
Sunny & windy. 18 birders; 41 species
Bird of the Day: Great Egret
Other Birds of Note: Snow Goose, Red-breasted Merganser, Brown
Creeper, Carolina Wren
07/04/12 – Baie du Febvre, QC – Leader: Wayne Grubert
Cloudy skies, cool temperatures and steady winds; 13 birders; 44
species
Bird of the Day: Northern Pintail
Other Birds of Note: Snow Goose, Ruddy Duck, Bald Eagle,
Wilson's Snipe, Snow Bunting
14/04/12 – Île Bizard, QC – Leader: Felix Hilton
Thinly overcast, slight wind, mild; 26 birders; 37 species
Birds of the Day: Barred Owl, American Bittern
Other Birds of Note: Ring-necked Duck, Turkey Vulture, Northern
Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-rumped Warbler
21/04/12 – Refuge Lac-St-François, Dundee, QC – Leader:
Sheldon Harvey
Rain, 7°C. 9 birders; 41 species
Bird of the Day: Sandhill Crane
Other Birds of Note: Snow Goose, Common Loon, Osprey, Redtailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Belted Kingfisher, Cliff Swallow,
Brown Thrasher
19
28/04/12 – Cooper Marsh, S. Lancaster, ON – Leader: Martin
Bowman
Sunny, bitter wind, 4°C. 13 birders; 40 species
Bird of the Day: Broad-winged Hawk
Other Birds of Note: Redhead, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed
Hawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Savannah Sparrow
05/05/12 – Hudson, QC – Leader: Barbara MacDu
Sunny, 10°C, north winds. 19 birders; 62 species
Birds of the Day: Bald Eagle, Pine Warbler
Other Birds of Note: Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Cooper's
Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Nashville
Warbler, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler,
Black-and-white Warbler, Purple Finch
06/05/12 – Gault Estate Reserve/Réserve naturelle Gault, Mont
St-Hilaire – Leaders: Christian Côté and David Maneli
Sunny, cool. 16 birders; 35 species
Birds of the Day: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue-headed Vireo
Other Birds of Note: Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin,
Peregrine Falcon, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Hermit Thrush
12/05/12 – Bioblitz Event, Parc Angrignon, Verdun, QC – Leaders:
Nick Acheson and Chris Cloutier
Sunny and cool to mild. 14 birders; 43 species
Birds of the Day: Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk
Other Birds of Note: Pied-billed Grebe, Chimney Swift, Least
Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Tenesee
Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler,
Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated
Green Warbler
13/05/12 – Île-Bizard, QC – Leader: Felix Hilton
Rain to start, clearing, warm. 5 birders; 57 species
Birds of the Day: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Scarlet Tanager
Other Birds of Note: Green Heron, Common Moorhen, Solitary
Sandpiper, Black Tern, Barred Owl, Red-bellied Woodpecker,
Purple Martin, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, Brown Thrasher, Blackthroated Blue Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Rosebreasted Grosbeak.
19/05/12 – Summit Park, Westmount, QC – Leader: Darlene
Harvey
Sunny, warm. 22 birders; 42 species
Bird of the Day: Connecticut Warbler
Other Birds of Note: Chimney Swift, Veery, Swainson's Thrush,
Hermit Thrush, Warblers (Nashville Chestnut-Sided, Magnolia, Cape
May, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Blackpoll, American
Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Canada), Indigo Bunting
Other Birds of Note: Broad-winged Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon,
Alder Flycatcher, Common Raven, Eastern Bluebird, Swainson’s
Thrush, Ovenbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Parula,
Magnolia Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Green
Warbler, Canada Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Purple Finch
21/05/12 – Kentucky Woods, Summerstown, ON – Leader: Martin
Bowman
22 to 29°C : sunny, light breeze. 6 birders; 45 species
Bird of the Day: Yellow-throated Vireo
Other Birds of Note: Virginia Rail, Wilson's Snipe, Veery, Wood
Thrush, Warblers (Nashville, Yellow, Magnolia, Black-throated Green,
Blackpoll, Black-and-\white, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush,
Common Yellowthroat)
16/06/12 – Summer Solstice Trip, Southwestern Quebec –
Leaders: Martin Bowman and Wayne Grubert
10°C warming up to the mid-20s; 14 birders; 75 species
Birds of the Day: Upland Sandpiper, Grasshopper Sparrow,
Eastern Towhee
Other Birds of Note: American Bittern, Alder Flycatcher, Willow
Flycatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Brown Thrasher, Ovenbird, Northern
Waterthrush, Field Sparrow
26/05/12 – Philipsburg, QC – Leader: Sandy Montgomery
Warm, light winds; 18 birders; 79 species
Birds of the Day: Yellow-throated Vireo, Tufted Titmouse
Other Birds of Note: Wild Turkey, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon,
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, N.
Rough-winged Swallow, Carolina Wren, Winter Wren, Pine Warbler,
Blackpoll Warbler, Field Sparrow, Bobolink, Pine Siskin.
23/06/12 – Summer Series #1 – Pointe de Yamachiche, QC –
Leader: Sheldon Harvey
Sunny, warm & breezy; 11 birders: 51 species
Bird of the Day: 3 Bald Eagles
Other Birds of Note: Semipalmated Plover, Bonaparte's Gull, Brown
Creeper, House Wren, Rose-breasted Grosbeak
27/05/12 – Réserve Marguerite D’Youville, Île St-Bernard, QC –
Leader; Tom Long
15 - 20°C; 10 observers
Bird of the Day: Common Loon
Other Birds of Note: Wood Duck, Great Egret, Cliff Swallow, Tufted
Titmouse, Marsh Wren, Northern Parula, Blackburnian Warbler,
Blackpoll, Rose-breasted Grosbeak
02/06/12 – St-Lazare, along QC/ON border to Pointe Fortune, QC
– Leader: Sheldon Harvey
Periodic rain, cloudy & windy; 4 birders; 55 species
Bird of the Day: Vesper Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Other Birds of Note: Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Wilson's
Snipe, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Horned Lark, Eastern Bluebird,
Brown Thrasher, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark
09/06/12 – Alfred Kelly Reserve, Piedmond-Prévost, QC – Leader:
Richard Gregson
Mild, clear; 28 birders; 39 species
Bird of the Day: Peregrine Falcon
20
07/07/12 – Summer Series #2 – Philipsburg, St-Armand and SteCatherine, QC – Combination Birding & Insect Walk – Leaders:
Sheldon Harvey & Chris Cloutier
Warm, cloudy; 18 birders; 66 species
Birds of the Day: Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Little Egret
Other Birds of Note: American Wigeon, Ruffed Grouse, Common
Loon, Great Egret, Eastern Bluebird, Indigo Bunting
14/07/12 – Summer Series #3 - Recre-o-Parc, Ste-Catherine, QC
– Leader: Sheldon Harvey
Hot and humid! 19 birders; 42 species
Bird of the Day: Little Egret
Other Birds of Note: Red-breasted Merganser - 1 adult with 12
young; Black-crowned Night Heron, Osprey, Solitary Sandpiper,
Semipalmated Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull, Chimney Swift
21/07/12 – Summer Series #4 Ste-Anne-de-Sorel, QC – Leader:
Sheldon Harvey
Hot and humid; 11 birders; 35 species
Bird of the Day: Eastern Wood-Pewee (adult with young)
Other Birds of Note: Wood Duck, American Bittern, Bald Eagle,
Virginia Rail, Black Tern, Philadelphia Vireo, Baltimore Oriole
Forthcoming Field Trips
Late August through October
Saturday 25 August - samedi 25 août
St-Lazare Sand Pits and Area
Leaders: Jean Demers and Clémence Soulard
514-694-8240 [email protected]
7:30 a.m. From Highway 40 west towards Ottawa take Exit 26. Turn
left on Chemin Daoûst (which becomes Avenue Bédard) and proceed
4 km to Chemin Ste-Angelique. Turn right and after 1.4 km turn left on
Montée St-Robert. Continue for 2.6 km to Parc St-Robert on the left
and meet in the parking lot. Looking for shorebirds, waterfowl and
early fall migrants. $2.00 or $3.00 charge (exact change). Half day.
7h30 Depuis l'autoroute 40 ouest vers Ottawa, prendre la sortie 26.
Tourner à gauche sur le Chemin Daoust (qui devient l'avenue Bédard)
et continuer 4 km jusqu'au Chemin Ste-Angélique. Tourner à droite
puis après 1,4 km, tourner à gauche sur la Montée St-Robert.
Continuer 2.6 km jusqu'au Parc St-Robert sur la gauche. Le lieu de
rencontre est situé dans le stationnement. Nous rechercherons les
oiseaux de rivage, la sauvagine et les oiseaux migrateurs hâtifs. 2,00
$ ou $ 3,00 pour l'entrée (monnaie exacte). Demi-journée.
Saturday 1 September - Samedi 1 septembre
Parc nature du Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard
Leader: Felix Hilton 514-631-3437 [email protected]
7:30 a.m. Highway 40; exit St. Jean Blvd. north to Gouin Blvd.; left
(west) on Gouin to Jacques Bizard Blvd.; right (north) on Jacques
Bizard Blvd., over bridge to Blvd. Chevremont; left (west) on
Chevremont to Montée de l'Église; right (north) on de l'Église to Ch.
Bord-du-Lac; right (east) on Bord-du-Lac to park entrance, approx. 1
km. Parking: $7.00. Looking for shorebirds, waterfowl and migrating
passerines. Half day.
7h30 De l'autoroute 40, prendre la sortie pour le boulevard St-Jean
nord et continuer sur celui-ci jusqu'au boulevard Gouin. Tourner à
gauche (ouest) sur Gouin et continuer jusqu'au boulevard JacquesBizard. Tourner à droite (nord) sur Jacques-Bizard et traverser le pont.
21
Tourner à gauche (ouest) sur le boulevard Chevremont et continuer
jusqu'à la Montée de l'Église. Tourner à droite (nord) sur celle-ci et
continuer jusqu'au chemin du Bord-du-Lac. Tourner à droite (est) sur
celui-ci et continuer jusqu'à l'entrée du parc (environ 1 km).
Stationnement : 8,00 $. Espèces recherchées : limicoles, sauvagine et
passereaux en migration. Demi-journée.
Saturday 8 September - samedi 8 septembre
Dundee, Ste-Martine - La Réserve nationale de faune du lac
Saint-François
Leader: Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498 [email protected]
7:30 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Centre parking lot. From Montreal take
the Mercier bridge to Hwy 132 and follow it west through
Châteauguay to Beauharnois. At Beauharnois (before reaching the
bridge and dam), turn left on Hwy 236 and follow it through StÉtienne-de-Beauharnois, St-Louis-de-Gonzague, and St-Stanislasde-Kostka until it once again joins Hwy 132. Take Hwy 132 west past
Ste-Barbe and St-Anicet to Cazaville. Continue approximately 8 km
on Hwy 132 past Cazaville to chemin-de-le-Pointe-Fraser. Turn right
on this road and meet at the visitor centre parking lot about 1 km
along on the left. From the West Island, take Hwy 20 west to Exit 14
and cross over the river at Valleyfield on the Msgr Langlois Bridge,
along Hwy 201 to join up with Hwy 30, continue west to Hwy 132 and
from there to Dundee. About 1 to 1.5 hours from Montreal. After
birding the Dundee area, we will return in convoy to Ste-Martine to
look for shorebirds. Looking for waterfowl, raptors, migrating
passerines and shorebirds. Half day.
7h30 Rassemblement dans le stationnement de l'Accueil. De
Montréal, prendre l'un ou l'autre des ponts Mercier, Champlain ou
Jacques-Cartier et rejoindre l'autoroute 132 ouest. Continuer sur celleci en passant par Châteauguay jusqu'à Beauharnois. À Beauharnois
(avant d'atteindre le pont et le barrage) tourner à gauche sur la route
236 et suivre celle-ci à travers Saint- Etienne-de-Beauharnois, SaintLouis-de-Gonzague, et Saint- Stanislas-de-Kostka jusqu'à ce qu'elle
rejoigne à nouveau la route 132. Prendre la 132 ouest en passant par
Sainte-Barbe et Saint- Anicet jusqu'à Cazaville. Après Cazaville,
continuer sur cette route sur une distance d'environ 8 km jusqu'au
chemin de la Pointe-Fraser. Tourner à droite sur celui-ci et continuer
jusqu'au stationnement de l'Accueil, situé à environ 1 km de là, à
gauche. Prévoir environ 1h15 à 1h30 de route à partir de la région de
Montréal. Après avoir parcouru la région de Dundee nous reviendrons
vers Sainte-Martine, en roulant
à la file, à la recherche de limicoles. Espèces recherchées :
sauvagine, rapaces, parulines en migration et limicoles. Demijournée.
Pointe Yamachiche
Leader: Frédéric Hareau 514-747-4904 (maison)
514-805-8491 (cellulaire à n’utiliser que le jour de la sortie en cas de
retard) [email protected]
8:00 a.m. Allow one and a quarter hours driving time from Montreal.
Take Highway 40 east to Exit 174. At the intersection in the middle of
the exit, drive straight ahead. Within 100 metres there is a large
parking lot which will serve as our meeting area. Mainly a walking trip
on trails that are usually dry, but bring waterproof boots just in case.
We will visit two areas on Lac Saint-Pierre with a variety of habitats
(woods, marsh, riverside, fields.) Bring a lunch in case the trip runs a
little long. Half day. There is a possibility of extending trip into the
afternoon if participants wish.
8h00 Prévoir 1h15 de route depuis Montréal. Prendre l’autoroute 40
est , sortie 174. À l’intersection, au centre de la sortie, continuer tout
droit. À 100 mètres de l’intersection se trouve un grand
stationnement, lieu de notre rendez vous. Une bonne promenade
nous attend au bord du Lac St-Pierre à travers champs, bois et terres
qui risquent d'être humides, alors apportez des bottes imperméables.
Apporter à boire et à manger si jamais notre sortie se prolonge.
Demi-journée. Il y a une possibilité de prolonger la sortie en aprèsmidi jusqu'à la Baie-du-Febvre si les participants le souhaitent.
Parc national d'Oka, QC
Leader: Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498 [email protected]
8:00 a.m. Take Hwy 13 north to Hwy 640. Go west on 640 to its
intersection with Hwy 344. Cross 344 into Parc d'Oka. Proceed 6.2
km to the Accueil Camping. An entrance fee of approximately $5.00
will be charged. Looking for migrating passerines, raptors, waterfowl
and shorebirds. Half day.
22
8h00 De Montréal, prendre l'autoroute 13 nord jusqu'à l'autoroute
640. Continuer sur l'autoroute 640 ouest jusqu'à l'intersection avec
l'autoroute 344. Traverser la 344 et entrer dans le Parc d'Oka.
Continuer sur une distance de 6,2 km jusqu'à l'Accueil Camping.
Frais d'entrée: environ 5,00$. Espèces recherchées : passereaux en
migration, rapaces, sauvagine et limicoles. Demi-journée.
Saturday 29 September- samedi 29 septembre
George H. Montgomery Bird Sanctuary, Philipsburg, QC
http://www.pqspb.org/sanctuaries.html
Leader: Sandy Montgomery 514-482-0565
[email protected]
8:30 a.m. Meet at the defunct Motel Frontière. From Montreal take
the Champlain Bridge, Highway 10 east to exit 22, Highway 35 south
to St. Jean to join Highway 133 south to Philipsburg. Now that the
motel has been demolished the location is not easy to see from the
southbound side of the road so continue towards the border crossing.
Immediately before the border buildings take the well- marked U-turn
on the left to cross over to the northbound side of the road. Look on
your right for the large white sign telling drivers to fasten their seat
belts - the entrance to the old motel site and the parking area is
immediately beyond it. Note that there are two gravelled entrances do NOT take the first, it is washed out and impassable; the second
entry is excellent. Good choice of trails from long and strenuous to
short and easy. Bring a lunch. Looking for migrating passerines,
waterfowl and hawks. All day.
8h30 Rassemblement au défunt Motel Frontière. De Montréal,
traverser le pont Champlain et continuer sur l'autoroute 10 est.
Prendre la sortie 22 et rejoindre l'autoroute 35 sud. Continuer sur
celle-ci jusqu'à Saint-Jean. De là continuer sur l'autoroute 133 sud en
direction de Philipsburg. Maintenant que le motel a été démoli le
stationnement est difficile de voir du côté sud de la route. Donc,
continuer vers le poste frontalier . Juste avant les bâtiments de
passage, prendre le bien-marquée demi-tour sur la gauche pour
passer sur la direction du nord côté de la route. Chercher le grand
panneau blanc indiquant aux conducteurs de boucler leur ceinture de
sécurité sur votre droite - l'entrée sur le site vieux motel et le
stationnement est immédiatement au-delà. Bonne variété de sentiers
dont les niveaux de difficulté vont de longs et ardus à courts et
faciles. Apporter un lunch. Espèces recherchées : passereaux en
migration, sauvagine et rapaces diurnes.. Toute la journée.
Saturday 6 October - samedi 6 octobre
Refuge faunique Marguerite D'Youville on Île Saint-Bernard
http://www.heritagestbernard.qc.ca/rfmy.html
Leader: Tom Long 450-692-1590 [email protected]
8:00 a.m. Meet at the welcome centre of the Refuge Faunique
Marguerite D'Youville on Île St-Bernard, Châteauguay. From Montreal,
take Highway 138 and cross the Mercier Bridge. Stay right coming off
the bridge and take Highway 138 through Kahnawake into
Châteauguay. As you enter Châteauguay, turn right onto Boul. StFrancis. Follow St. Francis all the way to the end where it meets the
Châteauguay River at Boulevard Salaberry Nord. Turn right on to
Salaberry Nord. Continue past the railway bridge. The next bridge that
crosses the road and river is Pont de la Sauvagine. Turn right just after
the bridge. There will be a sign and an entrance ramp for the bridge for
Beauharnois and Refuge Faunique Marquerite D'Youville. Cross the
bridge and continue to Notre-Dame Nord. At the flashing red light turn
right onto Notre-Dame and follow the signs to Refuge Faunique
Marguerite D'Youville. Cross the small bridge onto Île St- Bernard. The
parking area is to the right. Walking trip looking for waterbirds and late
migrants. The grass paths are usually wet early in the morning so wear
appropriate footwear. $3.00 admission fee. Half day.
8h00 Rassemblement à l’accueil du refuge faunique Marguerite
D'Youville, île Saint-Bernard, Châteauguay. De Montréal, prendre la
route 138 et traverser le pont Mercier. A la sortie du pont, garder la
droite et continuer sur la 138, passé Kahnawake, jusqu’à
Châteauguay. A l’entrée de Châteauguay, tourner à droite sur le boul.
St-Francis. Continuer sur celui-ci jusqu’à l’intersection avec le boul.
Salaberry Nord, qui longe la rivière Châteauguay. Tourner à droite sur
Salaberry nord, passer en-dessous du pont de la voie ferrée et
continuer jusqu’à un deuxième pont : il s’agit du pont de la Sauvagine.
Tourner à droite juste après avoir passé sous ce pont et accéder à
une rampe d’accès au pont. Des indications pour le refuge faunique
Marquerite D'Youville y sont visibles. Traverser le pont et continuer
jusqu’à la rue Notre-Dame Nord. Au feu rouge clignotant, tourner à
droite sur Notre-Dame et suivre les indications pour le refuge.
Traverser le petit pont qui mène à l’île Saint-Bernard. Le
23
stationnement est à la droite. Excursion à pied, à la recherche
d’oiseaux aquatiques et de migrateurs tardifs. Considérant que les
sentiers gazonnés sont généralement humides le matin, il est conseillé
de porter des chaussures adéquates. Frais d’entrée de 3.00$. Demijournée.
Alfred, ON
Leader: Jacques Bouvier 613-524-1154 [email protected]
8:30 a.m. Meet at the Ultramar Service Station in Alfred. Take Hwy 40
to the Ontario border (signpost Ottawa) and continue on Hwy 417
west to exit 9 (Rte 17). Follow Rte 17 beyond Hawkesbury towards
Alfred (about 32 km from Exit 9 of 417). Proceed to the edge of Alfred.
The Ultramar gas station is on your right at the corner of Rte 17 and
Peat Moss Road. About 90 minutes from Montreal. We will explore the
area around Alfred including Alfred Bog, Alfred Sewage Lagoon and
the Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail. Looking for waterfowl, raptors,
and migrating passerines and shorebirds. Half day.
8h30 Rassemblement au poste d’essence Ultramar d’Alfred. À partir
de Montréal, prendre l’autoroute 40 jusqu'à la frontière ontarienne et
continuer sur l'autoroute 417 ouest jusqu’à la sortie 9 (route 17).
Prendre la route 17 et continuer sur celle-ci en dépassant
Hawkesbury et en continuant jusqu’à Alfred (environ 32 km). Le
poste d’essence Ultramar se trouve sur la droite, au coin des routes
Peat Moss et 17. Prévoir environ 1h30 de route à partir de Montréal.
Nous comptons explorer les environs d'Alfred, incluant la tourbière
d'Alfred, les bassins d'épuration d'Alfred et le sentier récréatif
Prescott-Russell. À la recherche d'oiseaux aquatiques et de rapaces
ainsi que de passereaux et limicoles en migration. Demi-journée.
Cooper Marsh, ON
http://www.rrca.on.ca/cooper_marsh.htm
Leader: Martin Bowman 613-347-1655 [email protected]
8:00 a.m. Take Highway 20 (Ontario Highway 401) and exit a
Lancaster, Ontario (exit 814). Follow Highway 2 west, and follow signs
to Cooper Marsh. Allow at least an hour's travel time from Montreal.
Looking for waterfowl, hawks, shorebirds and migrating passerines.
Half day.
8h00 À partir de l'autoroute 20 (Ontario 401), prendre la sortie pour
Lancaster, Ontario (sortie 814). Prendre l'autoroute 2 ouest et suivre
les indications pour le marais Cooper. Prévoir au moins 1 h de route.
Espèces recherchées : sauvagine, rapaces diurnes, limicoles et
passereaux en migration. Demi-journée.
Saturday 27 October – samedi 27 octobre
Centre d'interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin (CINLB), Granby
Leader: Sheldon Harvey 450-462-1459 [email protected]
8:00 a.m. Meet in the CINLB parking lot, 700 rue Drummond, Granby,
Centre d'Interpretation de la Nature du Lac Boivin http://cinlb.org/
From the Champlain Bridge, follow the Eastern Townships Autoroute
(Hwy 10) to Exit 68. Turn right off the exit on to boul.Daniel Bouchard
(Hwy 139). Follow boul. Daniel ouchard into Granby, crossing Hwy
112 and continuing past Granby Zoo. Continue on boul. Daniel
Bouchard to the intersection with rue Drummond. Turn right on to rue
Drummond. The free parking for the CINLB will be on your left. This
site is approximately 75 minutes from the South Shore side of
Champlain Bridge.
This is a great spot to visit, particularly at this time of the year with the
changing leaves. This is a walking trip, with extensive trails throughout
the park and an observation tower overlooking Lac Boivin. The park
off ers a variety of habitats including the lake itself, wooded trails and
areas of open fields and brushy areas. There should be a good
selection of species, including migrating songbirds, ducks, geese and,
hopefully, a few surprises. Bring along some bird seed as the
chickadees, white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatches are very
friendly here and always looking to feed from the hands of the visitors!
Half day.
8h00 Rendez-vous dans le stationnement du CINLB, 700 rue
Drummond, Granby, Québec
Centre d'Interprétation de la Nature du Lac Boivin page:
http://cinlb.org/
24
À partir du pont Champlain, suivez l'autoroute des Cantons de l'Est
(autoroute 10) jusqu'à la sortie 68. Tourner à droite après la sortie sur
le boulevard Daniel Bouchard (route 139). Suivez le boulevard Daniel
Bouchard dans Granby, en traversant la route 112 et continuer jusqu'à
dépasser le Zoo de Granby. Continuer sur le boul. Daniel Bouchard
jusqu'à l'intersection avec la rue Drummond. Tourner à droite sur la
rue Drummond. Le parking gratuit pour le CINLB sera sur votre
gauche. Ce site est situé à 75 minutes de la rive sud du pont
Champlain.
C'est un endroit formidable à visiter, en particulier à cette période de
l'année lorsque les feuilles changent. Il s'agit d'une excursion à pied,
sur les sentiers qui sillonnent le vaste parc et à destination d'une tour
d'observation surplombant le lac Boivin. Le parc offre une variété
d'habitats, y compris le lac lui-même, des sentiers boisés et des
zones de champs ouverts et des zones broussailleuses. On devrait y
trouver une bonne sélection d'espèces, y compris les oiseaux
chanteurs migrateurs, canards, oies et, espérons-le, quelques
surprises. Apportez quelques graines pour les oiseaux qui comme les
mésanges, les sitelles à poitrine blanche et à poitrine rousse sont très
peu farouches et cherchent toujours à la recherche à se nourrir dans
les mains des visiteurs! Demi-journée.
BPQ Calendar
Saturday 25 August - samedi 25 août
Field Trip: St. Lazare Sand Pits and Area
Field Trip: Dundee, Ste-Martine (La Réserve
nationale de la faune du lac Saint-François)
Field Trip: Pointe De Yamachiche
Membership Renewals
Membership renewals for 2012-2013 will be in the mail shortly. Thanks
to those members who renew prior to October 1, which saves us
postage dollars, paper, and time in sending reminder notices. The
renewal notice also includes an option to make a tax-deductible
donation to Bird Protection Quebec, which helps us to fund bird-related
activities such as education and research programs.
Field Trip: Parc National D'Oka
Bird Protection Quebec is
Saturday 29 September- samedi 29 septembre
Field Trip: George H. Montgomery Bird Sanctuary, Philipsburg
Monday, October 1, 2012
Monthly Meeting/Lecture
Marcel Gahbauer - Hawaiian Birds
Field trip: Refuge faunique Marguerite D’Youville, Île St-Bernard
Field trip: Alfred, ON
Field Trip: Cooper Marsh
a registered charity.
Donations are tax deductible.
Charity Registration # 11925
2161 RR0001.
Principal Officers
President - Richard Gregson
Vice-Presidents David Mulholland & Patrick Asch
Treasurer - Jean Harwood Gregson
Secretary - Ron Mudd
The Song Sparrow ISSN 1710-3371
Legal Deposit: National Library and
Archives of Canada - Publication
Mail No. 40044323
Newsletter Contacts
Editor: Jane Cormack
[email protected]
Layout: Richard Gregson
Birdviews: Pierre Bannon
[email protected]
Contact BPQ
[email protected]
P.O. Box 43, Station B
Montreal QC H3B 3J5
Tel: 514-637-2141
Saturday 27 October – samedi 27 octobre
Field Trip: Centre d’interpretation de la nature du lac Boivin,
Granby,
Membership
Visit the BPQ Website for any last minute details:
Details and subscription
information are available on
our website.
Online Discussion
Group
Subscriptions can be paid online.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Songsparrow
www.birdprotectionquebec.org
25
Website:
www.birdprotectionquebec.org

téléchargée ici. - Bird Protection Quebec

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