Birding activities
Guided hikes – Bird banding demonstration – Pelagic bird cruises
© Jocelyn Praud
A whole region to explore
Come discover the Côte-Nord and its birds through our ornithological and family-friendly activities at the Migratory Bird Festival! The Haute-Côte-Nord is at the top of the list of RCM in Quebec with an impressive 364 species observed over the years (including some exceptional species, the latest being the Tufted Duck at Tadoussac).
While many activities take place in Tadoussac, especially at the dunes, a must-see in the area, don’t miss the chance to explore the entire region! It is home to many exceptional observation sites. Guided excursions will take you to renowned locations where you can observe a wide variety of species. These outings are designed for both beginners and experienced birdwatchers alike. Sharing knowledge is at the heart of these experiences!
Open to all
Activities are open to all: families, curious, beginner or expert birders
Online reservations
The booking links are below each activity
Language
Activities are offered in French, but our guides are bilingual. You can ask questions in English
Bad weather
Outdoor activities will be cancelled in case of continuous rain or strong wind
Refund policy: refunds possible up to 7 days (14 days for cruises) before the event. No refund if cancelled 24 hours before the event.
INTERPRETATION & OBSERVATION
Reservations will be available starting July 21!
Passerines banding demonstrations
From September, 21 to September, 27 – 7:00 AM
Duration: All morning depending on weather conditions
Every morning during the festival, come and watch the banding of songbirds. The data collected is invaluable for helping us better understand bird migration and analyze population trends! A birdwatching guide will be on site to explain the handling process and answer your questions. This is a unique opportunity to observe wild birds up close while learning about the research work of the Tadoussac Bird Observatory.
Meeting point: Dunes of Tadoussac, banding station
Admission free!
An enchanted night with owls
From September, 21 to September, 27 – 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM (also available outside the Festival until October 18)
Duration: Approximately 1h30
As evening falls, we redeploy our nets to capture magnificent little owls, the Northern Saw-whet Owl and the Boreal Owl, in order to learn more about these species. Follow the research team, accompanied by an interpreter, in their work begun in 1996 on these birds, and discover their impressive movements. You will explore the mysteries of these nocturnal birds as well as the scientific progress made over more than 30 years of research.
Meeting point: Dunes of Tadoussac, parking lot: please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the activity
Admission: $26 + taxes
Capacity: 20 participants (September, 24 – 8:00 PM in English only)
Raptors in flight: how to identify them?
September 26 and 27 – 8:00 AM
Duration: All morning depending on weather conditions
The dunes of Tadoussac are among the best sites in Quebec for observing birds of prey during the fall migration. If you are not very familiar with identifying raptors in flight, an experienced ornithologist is present at the Yvan-Duchesne lookout to help you recognize them. You might even be lucky enough to spot a Rough-legged Hawk or a Golden Eagle!
Meeting point: Dunes of Tadoussac, Yvan-Duchesne lookout.
Admission free!
Under the wings of the night
September, 21, 24 and 26 – 8:00 PM
Duration: Approximately 1h30
As night blankets the skies over the region, a remarkable natural phenomenon quietly unfolds overhead. During spring and fall, thousands of songbirds—including thrushes, warblers, and sparrows—travel under the cover of darkness, their soft flight calls barely audible to the human ear. Accompanied by a vocalization expert and a thermal camera generously provided by Zeiss, experience migration like never before.
Meeting point: Les Bergeronnes, Pointe à John lookout: please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the activity
Admission: $30 + taxes
Capacity: 15 participants
TOURS
Birding cruise – Discovering pelagic birds
From September, 21 to September, 27 – 8:00 AM. Also, September, 26 – 2:00 PM
Duration: Approximately 3h
The Festival is partnering with Croisières Neptune to offer unique 3-hour cruises on the St. Lawrence River.
You’ll have the opportunity to observe species such as the Common Murre and the Parasitic Jaeger from surprisingly close range. There’s also a good chance of spotting rarities like the Sabine’s Gull, Little Gull, Broad-billed Phalarope, and more.
In addition, marine mammals are frequently seen at this time of year.
Meeting point: Les Bergeronnes, Croisières Neptune ticket office: please arrive 30 minutes before the start of the activity
Admission: $125 + taxes
Capacity: 25 participants (minimum of 20 participants)
Guided hike – Discovering the Haute-Côte-Nord
September, 26- 8:00 AM
Duration: Approximately 7h
The Haute-Côte-Nord region is without a doubt one of the best places in Quebec to witness bird migration. The diversity of species and the abundance of birds found here in September are hardly comparable to the rest of the province.
During this day, you will have the opportunity to discover strategic sites with two ornithologists. We will stop at the following places : Escoumins Bay, Pointe-à-Émile and Pointe-à-Boisvert (Longue-Rive) and Pointe-des-Fortins.
Difficulty : Intermediate, transportation included
Meeting point: Tadoussac Church, parking lot: please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the activity
Admission: $95 + taxes
Capacity: 30 participants (minimum of 20 participants)
Guided hike – Discovering Tadoussac
September, 26 and 27 – 8:00 AM
Duration: Approximately 2h
We offer two guided hikes in the heart of Tadoussac that will allow you to meet the avian wildlife in an idyllic setting. While walking about 3 kilometers, you will be able to observe forest species (warblers, sparrows,etc.) as well as sea ducks, shorebirds and larids.
The area is renowned for shore-based observation of Belugas and Minke Whales, and is also known to host particularly rare bird species almost every year. Let yourself be surprised by the potential of this hike!
Difficulty : Easy
Meeting point: Tadoussac, Pointe de l’Islet walk, before the wharf: please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the activity
Admission: $30 + taxes
Capacity: 15 participants
Guided hike – Discovering Longue-Rive
September, 21, 23, 24, 25 and 26 – 12:30 AM
Duration: Approximately 4h
The Longue-Rive salt marsh is a must for observing waterfowl and shorebirds, especially at high tide. Its diversity of habitats in the migration corridor also enables us to observe a large number of migrating passerines.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Meeting point: Longue-Rive, Centre d’interprétation des marais salés: please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the activity
Admission: $50 + taxes
Capacity: 15 participants (25 participants on September, 26 only)
Guided hike – Discovering Portneuf-sur-Mer
September, 22, 24, 25 and 26 – 12:30 PM
Duration: Approximately 4h
The reputation of the Portneuf-sur-Mer sandbar is well established for the observation of shorebirds. In fact, it is one of the best sites in Quebec for the abundance and diversity of shorebirds during the fall migration. It is recognized by BirdLife International as an important area for bird conservation.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Meeting point: Portneuf-sur-Mer, Centre d’accueil touristique du banc de sable: please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the activity
Admission: $50 + taxes
Capacity: 15 participants (25 participants on September, 26 only)
Guided hike – Discovering
Les Bergeronnes
September, 22, 24, 25, 26 and 27 – 8:00 AM
Duration: Approximately 2h
Les Bergeronnes is home to Explos-Nature and the Tadoussac Bird Observatory, where some of our research and education projects are carried out. Come and learn more about the importance of this sector in the region, along the forest trails that border the river, all the way to the Fleuve!
Difficulty: Easy
Meeting point: Les Bergeronnes, Pointe Sauvage parking lot: please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the activity
Admission: $40 + taxes
Capacity: 15 participants
Guided hike – Discovering
Les Escoumins
September, 21, 23 and 25 – 8:00 AM
Duration: Approximately 3h
The village of Les Escoumins is renowned throughout the province for its diversity of Laridae (gulls and terns), with an impressive total of 20 species observed, including several very rare species such as the Ross’s Gull and the Common Gull. As you explore the bay, you’ll also discover a number of waders, passerines and ducks, such as the Barrow’s Goldeneye, which winters here.
Meeting point: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the activity – Point-à-la-Croix parking lot
Rate: 40$ + taxes
Capacity: 15 participants
Guided hike – Discovering Pelagic birds
September, 26 – 3:30 PM
Duration: Approximately 2h30
The Festival is partnering with Du Fleuve to offer a single 12-passenger zodiac cruise, lasting 2.5 hours on the marine St. Lawrence. You will be able to observe species such as the Common Murre and the Parasitic Jaeger at surprisingly close range. You may also have the chance to spot rare birds such as Sabine’s Gull, the Little Gull, or the Red-necked Phalarope. As a bonus, marine mammals are also present at this time of year!
Meeting Point: Les Escoumins, Du Fleuve, please arrive 30 minutes before the start
Rate: 111,30$ + taxes
Capacity: 12 participants
2026 activities
The Côte-Nord Migratory Bird Festival also offers conferences and documentary screenings!