Quebec in Fall:

Birds & Whales

September 26 - October 5
Call us at 905-271-4000 or 1-800-363-7566 Visit www.adventurecanada.com for full prices and itinerary details. ADVENTURE CANADA 14 Front St. S. Mississauga, ON L5H 2C4

Good birding and whale-watching at a fine time of the year, the fall, when autumnal colours cover the countryside, in la Belle Province, Quebec! Starting in historic Quebec City, we first explore the Leon-Provancher marsh and woodland trails for waterfowl, marsh birds, song birds and shorebirds along with Ospreys and Peregrine Falcons, then to the Cap Rouge area with its beach and parkland trails for aquatic and shore birds. The downstream view of the red-silted waters of the St. Lawrence River crossed by two large Quebec city bridges is well worth the walk, as is the river moving upstream on a high tide. Next we head down along the mighty St Lawrence River first to Cap-Tourmente where thousands of Greater Snow Geese and other waterfowl have gathered at

the national wildlife area, next to the remarkable GrandsJardins park for boreal and tundra species, followed by a day along the spectacular Charlevoix landscape on to Tadoussac and the mouth of the Saguenay River for shorebirds and whale-watching. Whale-watching boat rides should put us close to many whales of several different species - Fin Whale, Minke Whale, possibly even Blue Whale, and especially Belugas. We take the ferry across the St. Lawrence, looking for pelagics such as Razorbill, shearwaters, Common Eiders, jaegers and kittiwakes to Rivire-du-Loup, where we make an effort to find Nelsons Sharp-tailed Sparrow. We make our way back along the St Lawrence, taking in several choice spots, and end in Quebec City.

Trip Details
Date: September 26-October 5, 2014 Duration: 10 days Price: $2,975 USD + 2.5% GST, $2,975 CAD + 5% GST, single supplement $585 USD + GST, $585 CAD + GST Tour Starts & End: Quebec City, Quebec

Whats Included:
Your guide Accommodation Breakfasts and lunches during the tour Transportation during the tour Two whale watching excursions

Whats Not Included:

Return flights from your home to Quebec City Evening meals Personal expenses Mandatory Medical Insurance

HIGHLIGHTS Several splendid wildlife spectacles - from thousands of Snow Geese to impressive encounters with big whales Charm of Quebec City Spectacular autumnal colours FEATURED BIRDS & MAMMALS: Greater Snow Goose Razorbill Boreal Chickadee Common Eider Nelsons Sharp-tailed Sparrow Beluga Whale Fin Whale Other baleen whales possibly including Blue Whale Cap-Rouge. We explore the Leon-Provancher marsh and trails in neighbouring woods and along the shoreline of the Saint-Lawrence, where a great variety of ducks, marsh birds, song birds and shorebirds are known to nest or use during migration. Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons, Virginia Rails and Green Herons occur here, and the nearshore adjacent to the marsh and its neighbouring Dombourg islets attract many aquatic birds including herons, sandpipers, goldeneyes and scaups which are plentiful. The Cap Rouge area and the trails of the neighbouring beach and park offer a similar variety of aquatic and shore birds. The downstream view of the red-silted waters of the Saint-lawrence crossed by the

YOUR ITINERARY Day 1 - Arrival in Qubec City Qubec City, a World Heritage City, is the beautiful capital of the province of Qubec, situated on the St. Lawrence River. It will be our base for the start of our adventure, and if time permits well visit the historic walled Old City, first founded almost 400 years ago. Night in Quebec City. Day 2 - Lon-Provancher marsh and Cap-Rouge We take a day-trip to Lon-Provancher marsh and on the way back explore the shores of the St. Lawrence River at

two large Quebec city bridges alone is worth the walk. On a rising tide, the river can be seen moving upstream. Night in Quebec City. Day 3 - Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area We spend the day exploring the varied habitats of this important refuge; mixed-wood forests, ponds, fields, marshes (fresh and saltwater), and the St. Lawrence River. The highlight should be the southbound concentration of Greater Snow Geese, with daily counts exceeding 50,000 birds, although many other waterfowl are also expected. Its a spectacle not to be missed. Depending on the winds there is also the chance for songbird and raptor migration as well. We then continue northeast along the scenic shoreline of the St. Lawrence River to Baie-Saint-Paul, stopping wherever seems appropriate. Night in Baie-Saint-Paul. Day 4 - Baie-Saint-Paul to La Malbaie Well spend part of the day in the Grand Jardins Park, looking for Spruce Grouse, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, several boreal warblers, and White-winged Crossbills, but also many hawks, Bald Eagle and occasionally a Golden Eagle. We then explore the stunning coastal road between Baie-Saint-Paul and Cap-a-lAigle, with stops at Cap-aux-Corbeaux, Cap aux Oies, and La Malbaie. We should encounter flocks of migrant shorebirds and passerines, and well look for Common Eider and Great Black-Backed Gull along the estuary. Night in La Malbaie. Days 5 Travel to Tadoussac Well explore the superb Charlevoix landscape along the road to Tadoussac, with stops at Port au Saumon, Port au Percil, Baie des Rochers and Pointe-Noire, for forest, coastal and sea birds. Along the way, well keep an eye out for Harbour Seals, Gray Seals and beluga whales. Night at Tadoussac. Days 6 and 7 - Tadoussac area Well spend the next two days in the Tadoussac area. The core of our visit will be two boat trips (weather permitting) in the Laurentian Channel offshore of the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord, one of Canadas premier whale-watching sites. Minke and Fin Whales are the

main feature of these whale-watching cruises but Beluga Whales are often seen. With luck, a Blue Whale, a Humpback Whale or a pod of White-sided Dolphins could also be seen. The conditions that attract whales are also good for pelagic birds, and there should be numerous Black-legged Kittiwakes, and well watch for harassing jaegers. Razorbills and Common Murres are also a strong possibility. On land well explore trails in different sections of Saguenay Provincial Park, which borders Saguenay Fjord, the longest in eastern Canada, and itself a Marine Park. Boreal forest predominates here, with migrant landbirds scattered among the residents. Species lists change each day, but well hope for Gray-cheeked Thrush, Fox Sparrow, Gray Jay, American Pipit, and boreal finches. Nights in Tadoussac. Day 8 - Cross the St. Lawrence River by ferry Saint-Simeon Rivire du Loup Well cross the St. Lawrence on a commercial ferry, across the middle estuary, home of Belugas and many sea birds. Once on the south side well explore the extensive salt marshes at Cacouna, where there will be a mix of migrant waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as Nelsons Sharp-tailed Sparrows. Night in Rivire-duLoup. Day 9 - Travel Rivire-du-Loup to Qubec Well spend the day investigating the south shoreline of the St. Lawrence River, with stops in Kamouraska and Rivire-Ouelle where well look for migrating Whiterumped Sandpiper and American Golden-Plover among the shorebirds, and Horned Larks among the landbirds. Centre Nature de Pointe-Sche boasts many forest species, and birds of prey, including the occasional Golden Eagle. La Halte Ecologique des battures de Saint-Andr de Kamouraska has a similar bird fauna, as well as some marsh birds, particularly Marsh Wrens and Swamp Sparrows. Both parks are in a coastal region of the Saint-Lawrence where Harbour Seals and Belugas are often seen. Night in Qubec City. Day 10 - Departure Our tour ends after breakfast. You may have a chance to experience a little more of Qubec City before reluctantly heading home.

PLEASE NOTE: This is our intended itinerary. Wildlife sightings and some activities depend on favourable conditions. As with all of our adventures, weather, sea and road conditions are a determining factor and will dictate our itinerary.