Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area

The Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area (NWA) is near Saint-Joachim, Quebec. It preserves an important habitat for many birds, including the Greater Snow Goose.

Description

The Cap Tourmente NWA, made up of marshland, plains, and forests, is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, 50 kilometres north-east of Québec City. Established in 1978 by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), its purpose is to protect the American bulrush marshes, the main habitat of the Greater Snow Goose during its migration.

The wildlife area was recognized as a Wetland of International Significance under the Ramsar Convention in 1981, becoming the first site to earn this distinction in North America. Its many historic buildings testify to more than 400 years of human occupation and farming activity, making it one of the founding sites of Canada.

Situated at the junction of the Canadian Shield, the St. Lawrence Lowlands and the Appalachians, the wildlife area also lies at the confluence of the Upper and Fluvial estuaries of the St. Lawrence. The territory offers contrasting landscapes shaped by the meeting of the river, large coastal marshes, plains, and mountains, and features a multitude of habitats that are home to a very wide diversity of animal and plant species. The wildlife area is home to more than 180 bird species, 30 mammal species, 22 types of forest stands and 700 plant species. Many of these species are at risk, including the Peregrine Falcon and the Bobolink.

In spring and fall, migratory birds congregate in the narrow corridor framed by the river and the cape's escarpment and invade the mosaic of habitats in the wildlife area. The area is renowned for the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Greater Snow Geese gathering at the site by the tens of thousands during migration.

In addition to 20 species of ducks and geese, there are around ten species of birds of prey and 30 species of warblers.

The Wood Duck, Northern Harrier, Pileated Woodpecker, Ruffed Grouse, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, and American Redstart are not uncommon sightings in spring. The coastal marsh is home to the Red-winged Blackbird, Swamp Sparrow and American Black Duck, and the area offers the Nelson's Sparrow one of the rare nesting sites on the north shore of the St. Lawrence. The presence of the Bobolink is also noteworthy.

In winter, the wildlife area is home to almost 20 species of birds, including the Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, and Barred Owl. Among the mammals, the most common are the muskrat, white-tailed deer, and red squirrel. American porcupines, red foxes and black bears are occasionally seen.

The primary threats and management challenges to the ecological integrity of the Cap Tourmente NWA include neighbouring land development, poaching, invasive alien plants, and the impact of visitors.

Find more information on Cap Tourmente NWA in the Summary below.

Management

Under the Canada Wildlife Act, NWAs are protected and managed in accordance with the Wildlife Area Regulations. The primary purpose of NWAs is to protect and conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. For this purpose and according to the legislation, all activities in a NWA that could interfere with the conservation of wildlife can be prohibited. Consequently, most NWAs are not accessible to the public and all other activities are prohibited in all NWAs. However, some activities may be authorized through Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations or the issuance of permits as long as they are consistent with the management plan goals for the NWA. For more information, consult the NWA Management and Activities section.

Authorized activities listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations for Cap Tourmente NWA, include:

1. non-commercial wildlife viewing on the road between the entrance to the wildlife area and the interpretation centre and on designated trails and at lookouts and observation towers and in designated areas
2. non-commercial hiking on the road between the entrance to the wildlife area and the interpretation centre and on designated trails
3. participation in a non-commercial group meal or non-commercial group event involving 15 or more people in designated areas
4. non-commercial operation of a vehicle, other than a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle, on the road between the entrance to the wildlife area and the interpretation centre and in designated parking areas
5. non-commercial snowshoeing on designated trails
6. activities referred to in items 1 to 5 in designated areas during designated periods between sunset and sunrise, in addition to during the period referred to in subsection 3.1(3)

Planning your visit

The natural beauty and many outdoor activities available at Cap Tourmente make this NWA a wonderful place to spend a day. Whether you're interested in hiking, wildlife observation, photography or one off the various interactive programs that are offered seasonally, you can be sure that you will find an activity for every member of the family. The recommended length of a visit is 2 to 4 hours.

Detailed information about the activities offered at Cap Tourmente NWA are found in the activities Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area pamphlet.

From May to October, visitors to the area can enjoy the following services:

• 20 kilometres of hiking trails through a mosaic of habitats - Map of Hiking Trails (spring-summer-fall)
• interpretation centre: information, permanent and temporary exhibitions
• discovery tools
  • on the Fox's Trail nature rally with GPS
  • geocaches
  • historical trail
  • binoculars and identification guides
  • anti-collision course
  • big birds challenge
• outdoor organized activities (for the general public, school groups and other groups)
• picnic areas

From January through March:

• 6 kilometres of winter hiking trails
• bird feeders network
• welcome area, information, and games in a heated building (on weekends and spring break)

The schedule of activities is subject to change without notice.

For more information, please contact: (418) 827-4591 or cap.tourmente@ec.gc.ca

Public facilities

Toilets, interpretation centre, parking. These facilities are accessible to people with reduced mobility.

No food service is available on site.

Dogs are allowed, but it is mandatory that they be kept on a leash.

Fees

Adults: $6
Students: $5
During the winter season: $4
Children under 12 accompanied by an adult: free admission
Passes and group rates available

Directions

Entrance geographic coordinates: 47°03.860' N 70°47.774' W

From Québec City, follow Route 138 toward Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. At Beaupré, follow the posted signs for the NWA.

Map of the area

Controlled fall hunt program for the Greater Snow Goose

Summary

Protected area designation: NWA

Province/territory: Quebec

Latitude/longitude: 47°05' North / 70°47' West

Size: 2,308 ha

Reason for creation of protected area: Protecting the bulrush marsh, the main habitat of the Greater Snow Goose during migration

Date created (Canada Gazette): 1978 - Legal description

International Union for Conservation (IUCN) Management Category: IV - Habitat/Species Management Area: protected area aiming to protect particular species or habitats, and its management reflects this priority.

Additional designations

• recognised as a wetland of international importance (Cap Tourmente Ramsar site)
• part of the Cap Tourmente Important Bird Area (Important Bird Area (IBA))

Keystone or flagship species

• greater snow goose
• peregrine falcon
• ruby-throated hummingbird
• warblers in spring

Listed Species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA)

Birds:

• peregrine falcon (anatum/tundrius)
• bobolink
• wood thrush
• short-eared owl
• bank swallow
• barn swallow
• chimney swift
• olive-sided flycatcher
• Canada warbler
• least bittern
• loggerhead shrike (migrans subspecies)
• rusty blackbird
• yellow rail
• eastern meadowlark

Mammals:

• myotis sp. (little brown myotis and/or northern myotis)

Insects:

• monarch butterfly

Vascular plants:

• victorin’s water-hemlock
• butternut

Numerous other species are classif---ied as at risk under provincial legislation.

Main habitat type: Intertidal marsh and broad expanses of American bulrush.

Faunistic and floristic importance: Presence of wetlands, agricultural fields and forest providing a popular staging area for migratory birds and important breeding grounds. Wide diversity of plant and animal species and habitats within a relatively limited area. Presence of wildlife and plant species at risk.

Invasive species

• wild chervil
• smooth bedstraw
• common reed (phragmites australis)
• rough mannagrass
• japanese knotweed
• jerusalem artichoke
• garden yellow loosestrife
• common valerian
• creeping yellow loosestrife

Additional links

Birds:

• wood duck
• northern harrier
• pileated woodpecker
• ruffed grouse
• indigo bunting
• red-winged blackbird
• American black duck
• black-capped chickadee
• blue jay

Mammals:

• muskrat
• white-tailed deer
• red squirrel
• American porcupine
• red fox
• American black bear

Main threats and challenges

Neighbouring land development, poaching, invasive alien plants, impact of visitors.

Management agency

Environment and Climate Change Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service)

Public access and usage

Authorized activities listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations for Cap Tourmente NWA, include:

1. non-commercial wildlife viewing on the road between the entrance to the wildlife area and the interpretation centre and on designated trails and at lookouts and observation towers and in designated areas
2. non-commercial hiking on the road between the entrance to the wildlife area and the interpretation centre and on designated trails
3. participation in a non-commercial group meal or non-commercial group event involving 15 or more people in designated areas
4. non-commercial operation of a vehicle, other than a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle, on the road between the entrance to the wildlife area and the interpretation centre and in designated parking areas
5. non-commercial snowshoeing on designated trails
6. activities referred to in items 1 to 5 in designated areas during designated periods between sunset and sunrise, in addition to during the period referred to in subsection 3.1(3)

Note: If there is a discrepancy between the information presented on this web page and any notice posted at the NWA site, the notice prevails as it is the legal instrument authorizing the activity.

Contact us

Cap Tourmente NWA
570 chemin du Cap-Tourmente
Saint-Joachim, Québec G0A 3X0

Administration: 418-827-3776
Interpretation center: 418-827-4591
Fax number: 418-827-6225
Email: cap.tourmente@ec.gc.ca

Environment and Climate Change Canada - Quebec Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
Protected Areas
801-1550, avenue d'Estimauville
Québec, Québec G1J 0C3

Toll-free: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca

Related links and documents

• Cap Tourmente NWA management plan
• Greater Snow Goose population monitoring at Cap Tourmente NWA
• Cap Tourmente NWA pamphlet
• Map of hiking trails (spring, summer, fall)
• Map of birds feeder network (winter)
• Cap Tourmente NWA on Google Maps (Please note that the Google map is a complementary source of information and does not represent the official map or site name)