Îles de l'Estuaire National Wildlife Area
Îles de l'Estuaire National Wildlife Area, islands © Environment Canada
Description
The Îles de l'Estuaire National Wildlife Area (NWA) is made up of approximately a dozen rocky and forested islands scattered between Kamouraska and Rimouski in the heart of the St. Lawrence Estuary. Established in 1986 by Environment Canada, its purpose is to protect important nesting sites for migratory birds, particularly colonial birds.
Its high rocky islands are covered by stands of White Birch and White Spruce and surrounded by large mudflats, while the adjacent rocky flats are covered by communities of mixed algae. A hundred or more species of birds visit the islands, half of which also nest there, and the island environments are home to nearly a dozen mammals. Species at risk frequenting the wildlife area include the Peregrine Falcon and Barrow's Goldeneye.
The wildlife area accommodates large colonies of seabirds such as the Common Eider, Razor-billed Auk, Black Guillemot, Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Black-legged Kittiwake, Double-crested Cormorant, and gulls. These birds are highly sensitive to human disturbance. The colony of Common Eider on Île Bicquette numbers more than 10 000 pairs, making it one of the largest colonies of eider in North America. The Îles Pèlerin and Brandypot Islands are frequented by the largest colonies of Razor-billed Auks (1000 pairs) and Black Guillemots in the St. Lawrence Estuary. In the fall, as many as 50 000 scoters and Oldsquaw descend upon the islands in the largest communities of these species along the St. Lawrence. More than 5000 dabbling ducks are also observed. The most common land mammals in the wildlife area are muskrat, Red Fox and Snowshoe Hare. Grey and Harbour seals are often found along the shores.
The Îles de l'EstuaireNational Wildlife Area is exposed to a range of threats, including the disturbance of colonial birds due to human activity and the risk of accidental spills.
More information on Îles de l'Estuaire NWAis provided in the summary table below.
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 NWAthat 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.
Due to the fragility of wildlife species and island environments, access to the Îles de l'Estuaire NWA is generally prohibited except for guided tours of the Brandypot Islands or under the authority of a permit issued by the Minister.
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 Îles de l'Estuaire NWA can be obtained by contacting the Environment Canada regional office.
Notice from Environment Canada
Download PDF version – Notice from Environment Canada [Îles de l’Estuaire] (PDF; 141 KB)
Environment Canada would like to inform the public that the Îles de l’Estuaire National Wildlife Area (NWA)--a string of a dozen islands in the middle of the St. Lawrence Estuary in the municipalities of Rimouski, Saint-André and Kamouraska--is a protected area. Since its creation in 1986, the NWA has been protecting wildlife and the nesting sites of migratory birds in the area, particularly those of seabird colonies.
To protect the area, the Department is informing visitors to areas around NWA islands of their obligation to follow certain rules, as dictated by the Canada Wildlife Act and its corresponding regulations. Anyone who neglects to follow these rules or obey the laws in effect may be subject to fines and prosecution.
Nature viewing and hiking are authorized in designated areas on Le Pot du Phare island.
Without a permit issued by the Minister, it is strictly prohibited for anyone in the NWA to (see section 3.(1) of the Wildlife Area Regulations):
- hunt or fish;
- destroy or remove a plant;
- allow any domestic animal to run at large;
- swim, picnic, camp or carry on any other recreational activity or light a fire;
- operate any mode of transportation;
- dump or deposit any trash.
For complete information on all applicable regulations, please consult the Canada Wildlife Act, Wildlife Area Regulations, 1994 Migratory Birds Convention Act, and Species at Risk Act at www.ec.gc.ca.
To file a complaint or report illegal activities, please contact Environment Canada by phone at 1-800-668-6767 or by email at enviro@info.ec.gc.ca.
This notice shall not be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any Aboriginal, treaty or other rights of Aboriginal peoples.
Public Services
Activities and services at the Îles de l'Estuaire NWA are currently offered by the Société Duvetnor. Services offered to the public include guided hiking tours and outreach activities to build awareness of wildlife species habitat conservation. Please contact the Société Duvetnor for additional information.
Activities and Services
- Facilitate activities
- Guided tours
- Special programs: Cruises and excursions hosted by the Société Duvetnor
- Hiking trails: On the Brandypot Islands, with a guide only
- Note: The general public is prohibited from visiting Île Bicquette.
Special warnings
Access to islands prohibited without permit.
Location of wildlife area (access)
Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec.
Contact information for Société Duvetnor
Société Duvetnor
P.O. Box 305
200 Hayward Street
Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec
G5R 3Y9
Phone number : (418) 867-1660
More information on services offered to public can be obtained by contacting the Environment Canada regional office.
Map of Îles de l'Estuaire National Wildlife Area
Summary Table for the Îles de l'EstuaireNWA
| Protected Area designation | National Wildlife Area |
| Province/territory | Québec |
| Latitude/longitude | 47°35’N 68°53’O |
| Size in hectares (ha) | 407 ha classified as NWA, 2 ha unclassified. Of the 316 ha of land, approximately 81 ha is categorized as flats. |
| Reason for Creation of protected area | Protection of nesting sites of importance to migratory birds, particularly colonial seabirds. |
| Date created (Gazetted) | 1986 – Legal description |
| International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Management Category | Ia - Strict Nature Reserve: protected area managed mainly for scientific purpose or to protect wildlife ressources
|
| Additional designations | part of 5 Important Birds Area (IBA): |
| Keystone or flagship species | Eider, Razor-billed Auk |
| Listed Species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) | Three species at risk--the Anatum Peregrine Falcon, Barrow's Goldeneye (Eastern population) and Beluga Whale--in the St. Lawrence Estuary region adjacent to the wildlife area. |
| Main habitat type | Islands and rocks composed of shale and quartzite, dotted with small forests. Foreshore consisting of Spartina marsh and mudflats. |
| Faunistic and floristic importance | The network formed by the Îles Pèlerin and Brandypot Islands accommodates the largest colonies of Razor-billed Auks and Black Guillemots in the St. Lawrence Estuary. The colony of Black-legged Kittiwakes on Le Long Pèlerin is the westernmost in Quebec. More than 15 000 pairs of Common Eider breed on the islands in the estuary. The reefs at Île aux Fraises are known to be a calving and rearing area for the Beluga Whale. |
| Invasive species | The primary invasive species is the Purple Loosestrife. Should it become overly abundant, the Double-crested Cormorant could be considered a nuisance species. |
| Additional links | Birds: Great Blue Heron, Gull. Mammals: Muskrat, Snowshoe Hare, and Grey Seal. |
| Main threats and challenges | Disturbance of colonial birds due to human activity, risk of accidental spills. |
| Management Agency | Environment Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service) |
| Public access and usage | Restricted access to the Brandypot Islands and only with a guide |
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.
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
- Date Modified: