News Release

Open Invitation to the Public to Observe Thousands of Greater Snow Geese Migrate through the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area

QUÉBEC, Que. – September 26, 2011 – Nature lovers, photographers, birdwatchers and hikers are cordially invited to come to Environment Canada’s Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area to witness, until October 30, 2011, the passage of the thousands of Greater Snow Geese that will flock to the flats of the St. Lawrence River in search of food.

Nature guides will welcome the public every day from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to help them discover the Greater Snow Goose in its natural habitat. Visitors can learn more about the fall migration, reproduction, feeding, winter range and evolution of this unique population. To further their knowledge of the natural world, visitors can use their visit to observe many other species of birds, including an astonishing diversity of birds of prey. These birds can be observed on a network of 20 km of trails, some of which offer a magnificent view of the St. Lawrence River. Since 1973, 324 species of birds have been recorded at this site, which is recognized as an internationally important wetland.  

Visitors who are curious about the numbers of geese that pass through the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area can visit the Nature section of the Environment Canada website at http://www.ec.gc.ca/.

Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until October 30. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for students. Children under 12 who are accompanied by a parent are admitted free of charge. Telescopes, a binoculars rental service, a Geotour, a BioKit and a historical trail are available on site to facilitate your observations. For more information, call 418-827-4591 or e-mail at cap.tourmente@ec.gc.ca.

The Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area is part of a Canadian network of 146 protected areas established to protect critical habitats for wildlife species, some of which are at risk.

For more information, please contact:

Melissa Lantsman
Communications Director
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008