Top ideas Our birdwatching spots

Birdwatching is a hobby that can quickly turn into a passion. Sometimes all it takes is a few outings. Here are the perfect places to start. Remember to bring your binoculars, telescope or, for photographers, your telephoto lens.

Sainte-Marie Domaine Taschereau

The Domaine Taschereau is an ecological and historic park on a flood plain. The site is ideal for birdwatching. Over the past 20 years, more than 150 species of birds have been observed on the Domaine’s territory.

WE GO THERE TO

To be at the heart of a true crossroads of biodiversity. The Domaine Taschereau is made up of 17 interlocking ecological units, guaranteeing you a different bird show from one corner of the Domaine Taschereau to the next.

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Observation of the pond on the Grande Plée Bleue trail in Lévis — ©Watching the pond from the Grande Plée Bleue trail | Ange Hébert-Corriveau

Family birdwatching at the Grande Plée Bleue in Lévis — ©Family birdwatching at Grande Plée Bleue|La Grande Plée Bleue

Family walk on the Grande Plée Bleue trail in Lévis — ©Family walk on the Grande Plée Bleue trail | Ange Hébert-Corriveau

Lévis La Grande plée Bleue

Take a guided tour of this ecological reserve, accompanied by an enthusiastic naturalist guide. Along the 2 km trail, you can observe over 100 species of birds, including many aquatic birds.

WE GO THERE TO

Learn to birdwatch with the trained and passionate guides of this rare ecological reserve open to the public.

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Isle-aux-Grues The high marsh

We take you to the eastern tip of Isle, where you’ll find the high marsh. At the end of Chemin du Roi, there’s a parking lot. From here, a 300-metre trail leads to the promontory of Le Marais. From this wooden structure, you’ll see the vast flats separating Isle-aux-Grues and Isle-aux-Oies, which is also home to an impressive diversity of birds.

WE GO THERE TO

Admire the largest high marsh in northeastern North America. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded here, including some rare species.

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People taking a walk in the Jean-Paul-Riopelle nature reserve west of Isle-aux-Grues — ©People taking a walk in the Jean-Paul-Riopelle nature reserve|Daniel Thibault

Admire the St. Lawrence River in the Jean-Paul-Riopelle Nature Reserve at Isle-aux-Grues — ©Admire the St. Lawrence River from Isle-aux-Grues|Jessica Gallant | Nomade Magazine

Isle-aux-Grues Jean-Paul-Riopelle Nature Reserve

The western tip of Isle-aux-Grues is another popular spot for birdwatching. The Réserve naturelle Jean-Paul-Riopelle is a 48-hectare ecological zone with a network of trails running from the forest to the river’s edge. The western tip of the island is a prime stopover for small birds, such as sandpipers and warblers, which cross the St. Lawrence on migration.

IT’S ALL ABOUT

3 km of trails leading to lookouts offering views of the river and archipelago.

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Two women admire the Montmagny Basin and the St. Lawrence River from the Pointe-aux-Oies Tower in Montmagny — ©Two women admire the Montmagny Basin and the St. Lawrence River from the Pointe-aux-Oies Tower|Daniel T. Photo

©Aerial view of the Rivière du Sud, the Montmagny Basin and the St. Lawrence River|Daniel T. Photo

Birdwatching at Montmagny Basin and Falls — ©Birdwatching at the Montmagny Basin and Falls in Jardin des Souches Park|Mathieu Dupuis

Family watching the falls and the Montmagny basin at Parc du Jardin des Souches in Montmagny — ©Family watching the Montmagny falls and basin at Jardin des Souches Park|Alysson Gallant

Montmagny Montmagny basin and waterfalls

This is one of the best places to observe up to 6 species of seagull and virtually all the duck species in Quebec. On the west side of the basin, head for the Parc du Jardin des Souches to observe shorebirds (limicoles) up close and undisturbed. On the east side, you’ll find the Pointe-aux-Oies tower, at the end of Parc Promenade des Migrations.

WE GO THERE FOR

The development of parks and promenades along the western side of the basin, linking the Parc du Jardin des Souches to the river station.

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Berthier-sur-Mer Croisières Lachance

Come aboard the Vent des Îles and meet 1,000 little penguins nestled on the eastern edge of the Isle-aux-Grues archipelago on a guided cruise with commentary by Croisières Lachance.

WE GO THERE TO

Admire and understand the unique spectacle offered by these Alca Torda, with complete respect for the animal.