Documentaries and Conferences 

Determination of the original habitat of the Black-backed Woodpecker and the American Three-toed Woodpecker based on chemical analysis

François-Xavier Grandmont is a Master’s student at the University of Québec at Chicoutimi under the supervision of Jacques Ibarzabal.

Friday 22 September – 4-5 pm
Location: Salle Marie-Clarisse, Tadoussac hotel
Free admission

In French

The autumnal dispersal of the Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) and the American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) is a movement that still holds many unknowns. Although the summer distribution range of these woodpeckers is mainly in remote regions, studying the original habitat of dispersing individuals can be done through specific analyses conducted on their tail feathers, the rectrices. Due to the continuous friction between the rectrices and tree trunks, certain elements of the habitat accumulate on them, such as oleoresins and microorganisms. With the nearly monospecific tree composition of the forests housing these species during nesting, the resins found on the rectrices will consequently reflect the dominant tree species in the original habitat. Analyzing the oleoresins found on the woodpeckers’ rectrices thus offers the opportunity to learn more about the individuals captured during autumnal dispersal

The fascinating migration of birds facing global changes

Pierre Legagneux is a professor in Biology at Laval University and holds the Sentinelle Nord Research Chair on the impact of animal migrations on ecosystems.

Saturday 23 September – 6-7pm
Location: Salle du bord de l’eau, Church of Tadoussac
Free admission

In French

This presentation is about biodiversity and bird migration, with a focus on past crises and current changes. Pierre Legagneux presents the idea that biodiversity has been shaped by a series of crises throughout history. The origin of bird migration is suggested as a possible response to past changes. The Anthropocene period is also discussed, highlighting its paradoxical role in the accuracy of migration tracking.

The challenges that birds face during their migration are numerous due to global changes, including climate variations, habitat modifications, and contaminants. Pierre Legagneux illustrates this with several examples, such as the migration of the Long-tailed Jaeger and the reported effects on the Common Eider and Snow Goose. Additionally, the impact of the goose colony on the Bylot ecosystem and studies on emerging contaminants and their influence on biodiversity are addressed.

The Pineshish-Piyaasiis Initiative: Together for the monitoring of boreal birds in Quebec – Pineshish-Piyaasiis: Mamu tushkapamataut pineshishat ute innuat utassiuau

Bruno Drolet is a biologist at the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment and Climate Change Canada. He is responsible for terrestrial bird conservation in forest environments in Quebec and was the former director of the Tadoussac Bird Observatory (2003 to 2005).

Saturday 23 September – 2-3 pm
Location: Salle du bord de l’eau, Church of Tadoussac
Free admission

In French, answers can be given in English

The boreal forest is the largest ecosystem in Canada, yet very little is known about its birdlife, especially in Québec. The use of automated recording units open up new monitoring approaches to fill this gap and new partnership opportunities. For example, the deployment of the recorders can be carried out by non-ornithologists, which allows for the active participation of the users of the territory, especially the natives. It is in this context that the Pineshish-Piyaasiis initiative was born in Quebec. Its objective is to support the active participation of First Nations in the monitoring of birds in the boreal forest on their traditional territories and to promote the exchange of Indigenous and scientific knowledge on boreal birds.