Mar 28 2010
The snow geese: epic voyagers
A GATHERING NOT TO BE MISSED
Twice a year, hundreds of thousands of snow geese alight alongside the St. Lawrence River. An unbelievable feast for the eyes and ears, the immense flocks transform the river into a rippling sea of white as the air fills with deafening cries. And when these valiant vagabonds suddenly take wing, the sight of their breathtaking aerial ballet is the stuff of legend.
Spring migration
Wintering on the Atlantic Coast, the Snow geese complete their yearly migration of some 8 000 km (5,000 miles) by leaving the Atlantic Cost in late March. Other bird species, including Canada geese, ducks and birds of prey, join them during their Québec stopover, their favorite spot being Baie-du-Febvre, on the South shore of Lac Saint-Pierre (near Trois-Rivières) where the most important populations can be observed in mid-April.
Although to a lesser extent, the geese also favor Cap Tourmente, East of Québec City, where perigrine falcons and ruby-throated hummingbirds join them later. In addition to themed exhibits, the Interpretation Centre offers lookouts, trails, as well as an observation corridor, to the visitors.
The New France Route (Route de la Nouvelle-France), some 50 km (30 mi.) in length, is an absolute jewel. Imagine it: ancestral homes all along this historic roadway lend it a unique cachet. As a backdrop: the Laurentian mountain chain and its imposing Mont Sainte-Anne; wide open views of the St. Lawrence and ĂŽle d’OrlĂ©ans, known for its bucolic charm and pretty villages; nearby is QuĂ©bec City, seated majestically atop Cap Diamant.
