The Magdalen Islands (Iles de la Madeleine) is one of the world’s safest havens for our precious flying animals. Except for the occasional fox, the islands have no real predators for the birds.  We have over 250 species of birds which come to the islands to nest and raise their young or used the islands for a resting and feeding area to replenish necessary energy to continue on their migratory flight path.

Atlantic Puffin

At least seven of the species of the birds using the islands are on the rare and endangered species list, including the seldom seen Piping plover (Charadrius melodus), Horned grebe (Podiceps auritus) , and Roseate tern (Sterna dougallii).

The Islands  are particularly known for their species of maritime birds, Sea gulls, Northern gannets (Morus bassanus, formerly Sula bassana), Common murres (Uria aalge) and Cormorants ( )but also exotic birds such as the colorful, chubby Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) and the Razorbill (Alca torda), which is the only surviving species of Auk left in the world today.

Roseate Tern

Bird watching tours are given on the islands by several local businesses, but there are equally exciting and adventurous self-guided tours in and around the natural reserves and along the beaches and nearby small uninhabited islands, such as Seal Island, Ile Couchon and Shag Island.  Even the Great Blue Heron is often standing on one leg, resting in the shallows of the islands lagoons, within feet of the main highway.

The plentiful lagoons and salt-water marshes are a haven to many species of birds because they provide shelter and plenty of food sources for our visiting feathered friends.  Plant life and aquatic life seek the shallows to lay eggs and breed and whose young provide a source of food for the birds. The lagoons are easily accessible for anyone wanting to walk the area with a set of binoculars.

Northern Gannet

Boating and zodiac adventure tours to the distant uninhabited islands of Brion Islands Ecological Reserve, the Bird Rock Bird reserve and Deadman’s island are available on request from several specialized business including Excursion en Mer, L’istorlet, and l’Airosport.  These tours could take the complete day to Bird Rock and Brion Island or a half a day to the bluffs, grottos, Entry Island and Deadman’s Island and even Gull Island.

If a water adventure is not on the list of must do’s, then a tour of the East Point Wildlife Reserve on the most northern tip of the Magdalen Islands is definitely a wonderful experience.  These can be guided tours which include the plant life and a tour of the shipwreck gulf, because East Point is very close to the shipping lanes of the Saint Lawrence Seaway and has been the final resting place of many a weary sailor and their wonderful vessels. Or the tours into the Reserve can be self-guided. There are paths around all of the marshes, crowberry, blueberry and cranberry moors. There are even blinds where a birdwatcher can get the most advantages view points to see their passion in their natural setting without disturbing the life cycle of the birds.

If you want the experience of a lifetime while having the most interesting bird-watching holiday then come and join in with hundreds of other adventure activities on the Islands.  Don’t hesitate to take our scenic sunset cruises, seafood worth remembering a lifetime, horseback beach riding tours, fishing tours with some of the local fishermen, story-telling adventures, beach bonfires and fireworks, swimming with the gentle, but wild harbour and harp seal, whale-watching and if lucky maybe even see the large but rare leather-back tortoise, known to inhabit our waters.

The Iles-de-la-Madeleine/Magdalen Islands – a must see, must do adventure!

For more information on birds of the islands, see the IBA Listing site.

Quote:

“I hope you love birds too. It is economical. It saves going to heaven.” – Emily Dickinson