Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area

Description | Management | Public Services | Map of the Area
Summary Table | Contact Information

Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area, Greater Snow Geese © Environment Canada

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Description

The Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area (NWA), made up of marshland, plains and forests, is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, 50 km east of Québec City. Established in 1978 by Environment Canada, its purpose is to protect the American Bulrush marshes that serve as the primary habitat of the Greater Snow Goose during migration periods. 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 325 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, the Bobolink, and the Butternut.

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 different duck and goose species, some 10 or more species of birds of prey and 30 warbler species have been observed. In the spring Wood Duck, Northern Harrier, Pileated Woodpecker, Ruffed Grouse, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, and American Redstart are frequently observed. In addition to the populations of Red-winged Blackbirds, Swamp Sparrows, and American Black Ducks in the coastal marsh, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow makes the wildlife area one of its rare nesting sites on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, while the presence of the Bobolink is also worthy of mention. Nearly 20 species are observed in the winter, including Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, and Barred Owl.Among the mammals, the most common are the muskrat, the White-tailed Deer and the Red Squirrel. The American Porcupine, the Red Fox, and the American Black Bear are also observed on occasion.

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.

More information on Cap Tourmente NWA is provided in the summary table below.

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Management

National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) are protected and managed according to the Wildlife Area Regulations under the Canada Wildlife Act. The primary purpose of NWAs is the protection and conservation of wildlife and their habitat. For this purpose, and according to the legislation, Environment Canada can prohibit all activities in a NWA that could interfere with the conservation of wildlife. Consequently, most NWAs are not accessible to the public and all activities are prohibited. Nonetheless, Environment Canada has the ability to authorize some activities, whether through public notice or the issuance of permits, as long as these are consistent with the management plan goals for the NWA. For more information, consult the NWAs Management and Activities section.

Access to the Cap Tourmente NWA is restricted to designated areas and times of the year, and subject to payment of an entrance fee. The following activities are permitted: hiking, nature observation and photography. Hunting for the Greater Snow Goose is permitted in the fall within the wildlife area with an Environment Canada permit. Public notices listing the activities permitted within the wildlife area are posted at area access points.

Permits may be issued for research activities in keeping with the priorities set out in the management plan for the wildlife area.  Permits may also be issued for other conservation activities such as surveys, or the enhancement or restoration of habitat.

Priority will be given to collaborative activities with local agencies and organizations to promote the protection and the conservation of wildlife species and their habitat in the NWA. For example, initiatives could be launched or continued with the following entities: universities or research centers to address gaps in scientific knowledge; the province to implement recovery measures for species at risk (particularly those falling under provincial jurisdiction); or non-governmental organizations or municipal authorities to build public awareness of the wildlife area's objectives. 

More information on access and permitting for Cap Tourmente NWA can be obtained by contacting the Environment Canada regional office.

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Public Services

Activities and interpretation services at the Cap Tourmente NWA are currently offered by the Association des Amis du cap Tourmente. Services offered to the public include outreach activities to build awareness of wildlife habitat conservation.  The recommended visit duration is 2 to 4 hours.

General Information Brochure

A brochure providing general information on the Cap Tourmente NWA, including the activities and services offered to public, is available at the following link: Cap Tourmente - Nature as far as the eye can see! You also can consult the information below for a brief overview.

Activities and Services

The following services are offered to the general public from May to October:

• 20 km of hiking trails through a mosaic of habitats
• Interpretation centre: Information, exhibits and audiovisual presentations
• Discovery tools (BioKit, GeoTour, historical trail)
• Outdoor organized activities (for the general public, school groups and other groups)
• Picnic areas
  

From January to March:

• 6 km of winter hiking trails
• Network of bird feeders
• Welcome area and information in a heated building

Map of Hiking Trails

Controlled Fall Hunt Program for the Greater Snow Goose

In October, hunters may take part in controlled hunting of the Greater Snow Goose. Registration is mandatory between January and April, and the hunting permits are issued through a random draw in May.

2013 Entry Form

Periods and business hours for 2013-2014 season

From April 1 to 19 and from October 28 to December 20 and from March 10 to 31	From Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed on weekends and November 11
From April 20 to October 27	Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
From December 21 to January 3	Closed
From January 4 to March 9	Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Access to the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area is forbidden outside of these opening times.

Entrance fee

Adults: $6
Students: $5
Free for children accompanied by a parent
Winter: $4
Passes and group rates available

Special warnings

Biting insects in summer; camping prohibited; waterfowl hunting in the fall.

Coordonate and location of wildlife area (access)

Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area
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
NWA entrance geographic coordinates : N 47 03.860 - W 70 47. 774

From Québec City, follow Route 138 toward Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. At Beaupré, follow the posted signs for the national wildlife area. (See map.)

More information on services offered to public can be obtained by contacting the Environment Canada regional office.

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Map of Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area

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Summary Table for the Cap Tourmente NWA

Protected Area designation	National Wildlife Area
Province/territory	Québec
Latitude/longitude	47°05’ N 70°47’ O
Size in hectares (ha)	2,399 ha
Reason for Creation of protected area	Protecting the bulrush marsh, the main habitat of the Greater Snow Goose during migration
Date created (Gazetted)	1978 – Legal description
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Management Category	IV – Habitat/Species Management Area: protected area aim to protect particular species or habitats and management reflects this priority.
Additional designations	Cap Tourmente Ramsar site part of the Cap Tourmente Important Bird Area (IBA) part of the World Biosphere Reserve of Charlevoix
Keystone or flagship species	Greater Snow Goose, Peregrine Falcon, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Warblers in spring.
Listed Species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA)	Many species at risk under the Species At Risk Act, including the Peregrine Falcon, Bobolink and the Butternut. Numerous other species are classified 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	Purple Loosestrife, Common Reed, Japanese Knotweed, Flowering Rush.
Additional links	Birds: Wood Duck, Northern Harrier, Pileated Woodpecker, Ruffed Grouse, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, American Black Duck, Black-capped Chickadee, and Blue Jay. Mammals: Muskrat, White-tailed Deer, Red Squirrel, American Porcupine, Red Fox, and American Black Bear.
Main threats and challenges	Neighbouring land development, poaching, invasive alien plants, impact of visitors.
Management Agency	Environment Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service)
Public access and usage	Access restricted to designated areas and at certain times of the year. Activities permitted: hiking (20 km of trails), nature observation, photography, interpretation centre with exhibition hall and audiovisual presentations, outreach activities. Hunting for the Greater Snow Goose is permitted in the fall within the wildlife area with an Environment Canada permit.

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.

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Environment Canada – Quebec Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
Ecosystem Conservation
801-1550, avenue d’Estimauville
Québec, Québec
G1J 0C3
Toll Free: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca