Birdwatching North America with Birdingpaltours
If you are an independent bird watcher who does not care for large group tours then Birdingpaltours is for you.
Do you like to bird with a couple of friends or by yourself, then we have the perfect arrangement for you.
Our tours are flexible, safe and the use of a local guide lets you participate in the planning.
The local guide knows all the hotspots. No more driving around trying to find birds. They will be found for you.
Our tours invariably cost less than the larger organized tours and you get the most out of your trip because you are a member of a small group. Our experience has shown that in trying to organize your own tour you can end up with hidden and unexpected costs.
The Birdingpaltour Birdwatching Experience.
We are birders ourselves and we know what you want. We know that often your time is limited. So we’ll design a tour to fit your needs. We have done the research, we know the best places to go and the best time to go and best of all we’ll provide you with a local guide who knows where the best places are. We’ll also provide you with a self-drive rental car, accommodations and some meals. We’ll provide you with maps and entrance fees into parks. Our tours are flexible, they will fit in with your schedule, 3 or 4 or 6 days you decide. You will be safe as you will be accompanied by a local guide. Our group size limit is 4 people, so
you won’t miss a bird because you are at the end of a long line of birders on a single file trail.
Birdwatching in Quebec
Quebec is referred to as La Belle Province and indeed it is. Its reputation as the beautiful province is well justified. It is, however, one of the most accessible areas where Boreal and maritime bird species are juxtaposed. The St. Lawrence and the Gulf Islands produce great numbers of gulls, gannets, alcids, and shearwaters. The northern boreal forests along the shores will satisfy the need for boreal species including jays, woodpeckers, owls and finches. Other habitats include mixed hardwood deciduous forests and the highlands of the Appalachian chain that extend into Quebec to Montreal in the west and Gaspe? in the east. In the higher reaches, mountain species can be found and the American wood warblers and thrushes frequent the hard wood forest. The St. Larence River around Taddusac is world famous for its whales. For nature lovers and bird watchers it surely is la Belle Province
Birdingpaltours offers two birding tours in Quebec
3 day Montreal Experience
3 day Quebec City Experience
THE MONTREAL EXPERIENCE
Montreal is the second largest city in Canada and is second only to Paris as the largest French speaking city in the world. It was founded in 1642 by Paul de Chomedy sieur de Maisonneuve as a mission to convert the natives.
The city proper lies on an island called, appropriately enough, Ile de Montreal. It lies along the banks of the St Lawrence
River and a great number of migrants use this as a migratory passage on their way to their breeding grounds. Montreal has many fabulous birding areas, your problem will be in selecting where to go.
"Typical Quebec rural gravel road"
Our trip will provide you with a good sampling of birding around Montreal. The lists of birds and information that we provide are examples only and generally reflect conditions that exist in the summer months, i.e. May to September. We also do not list birds that are common to each area visited as this would be repetitive.
Please note that as with all our trips we can extend the duration of your trip and visit other areas to meet your needs. Just
let us know what you would like.
Tour I
THE MONTREAL EXPERIENCE
Day 1.
Mount Royal Park/Protestant Cemetery/Westmount Park.
After meeting your local guide at a prearranged meeting place and picking up your rental car you will visit a number of parks in the city. It will be up to you and your local guide to decide which ones. However the “mountain” as it is known locally is a
must visit because of the many species of birds to be found here at any time of year.
Some of the birds you can expect to see in Mount Royal Park include Northern Oriole, Eastern Wood–Peewee, Great Crested Flycatcher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting and American Redstart. Other North American Wood Warblers include Golden-winged, Cerulean, Prairie and Kentucky. Blue Jays are plentiful, and you should look out for Brown Thrasher, Hermit and Swainson’s Thrushes, Scarlet Tanager, Dark-eyed Junco and Fox Sparrow.
Lunch and overnight B&B Montreal Area.
"Northern Parula"
Day 2.
Mont Tremblant Provincial Park.
This is the biggest of the Quebec provincial parks situated north on Autoroute 15 about an hour and half from Montreal. The area is vast and the birding outstanding with a huge range of boreal species not easily found elsewhere in the region - Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Spruce Grouse, Gray Jay, Olive-sided, Yellow-bellied, and Alder Flycatchers, Philadelphia Vireo, Wilson’s and Palm Warblers, Fox and Lincoln's Sparrows, Red and White-winged Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Evening Grosbeak and Rusty Blackbird. You will spend the day here looking for these boreal specialties.
Breakfast, Lunch and overnight B&B in Montreal area.
"Black-backed Woodpecker"
Day 3.
West of Montreal.
You will spend a very pleasant day’s birding to the west of Montreal. There are numerous places to visit and these include Ile Perrot and Parc National de Plaisance to name a few. Your local guide will know the best places to go to look for any species
you may have missed on the first two days.
Your tour will end this afternoon back in Montreal
Breakfast and Lunch.
Please note:
The itinerary described in these notes is intended as an example only. In the event of weather changes, logistical arrangements, or other problems, Birdingpaltours may make changes to the published itinerary. Birdingpaltours reserves the right to make changes in guides, rental cars and accommodations.
3 Days tour price is: 2 people C$625 per person. 4 people C$480 per person.
Please contact us for the cost of a Single Supplement for this trip.
Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.
Included:
Rental Car For 3 days, 2 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 nights accommodation, Local guides and Entrance Fees
Excluded:
Gasoline and insurance for the car, Dinners, Alcoholic drinks, Phone calls of a personal nature, Costs incurred due to mechanical failure of the rental vehicle or other emergencies and Fines or tolls.
The Quebec City Experience
Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America. It is the provincial capital of the province of Quebec.
Jacques Cartier built a fort and small settlement here, at a point where the St Lawrence River narrows, in 1535 and intended the settlement to be permanent. However the harsh winter and the hostility of the local people made the settlement untenable. It was re-established in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain and this time it survived and so Quebec is considered the oldest European settlement in North America.
The ramparts or walls surrounding the old town are the only fortifications surrounding any city in North America. They were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. Quebec City is famous for its Winter Carnival, its summer Festival and the Chateau Frontenac and a visit to the old city is a delightful experience.
Our trip will provide you with a good sampling of birding around Quebec City. The lists of birds and information that we provide are examples only and generally reflect conditions that exist in the summer months, i.e. May to September. We also do not list birds that are common to each area visited, as this would be repetitive.
Please note that as with all our trips we can extend the duration of your trip and visit other areas to meet your needs. Just
let us know what you would like.
Tour II
The Quebec City Experience
Day 1.
Cap Tourmante National Wildlife Reserve.
Today, having met with your guide, you will make your way to Cap Tourmente. This is a famous staging area for Snow Geese. Thousands of these birds stop over on migration. Along the way to the reserve you will stop along the shore of the St Lawrence
to look for ducks etc., You should find Northern Gannet, Razorbill, Greta Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Caspian Tern, Double-crested Cormorant, Red-winged Blackbird, Pied-billed Grebe, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Great Blue Heron among others.
Lunch and overnight B&B Quebec City.
Day 2.
Foret Montmorency.
Today is your chance to see some Boreal Forest birds in the Foret Monmorency. Among others you could find Boreal Chickadees, Common Redpoll, Gray Jay, Pine Grosbeak, Hairy and Downey Woodpeckers and Bicknell’s Thrush.
Breakfast, Lunch and overnight B&B Quebec City.
Day 3.
Quebec City area and parks.
Today you and your guide will explore some of the parks in and around Quebec City. There are some very beautiful locations
around the old city.
Breakfast and lunch included.
Your tour ends this afternoon.
Please note:
The itinerary described in these notes is intended as an example only. In the event of weather changes, logistical arrangements, or other problems, Birdingpaltours may make changes to the published itinerary. Birdingpaltours reserves the right to make changes in guides, rental cars and accommodations.
3 Days tour price is: 2 people C$625 per person. 4 people C$485 per person.
Please ask for single supplement rates.
Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.
Included:
Rental Car For 3 days, 2 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 nights accommodation, Local guides and Entrance Fees
Excluded:
Gasoline and insurance for the car, Dinners, Alcoholic drinks, Phone calls of a personal nature.
Notes:
The above birding itineraries are based on what are essentially popular routes for birders. It can be shortened or extended.
All the date of itineraries include arrival and departure dates.
All trips are available year round, but prices may be adjusted around special holidays.
Minimum lead time 4 weeks.
To check availability for tours on short notice, fill out “Request for Quote” form with desirable dates.
Fitness:
Moderate but quite a bit of walking involved on mostly flat terrain.
Note: The lists of birds and information that we provide are examples only and generally reflect conditions that exist in the summer months, i.e. May to September.
Electronic map of Qubec
Guide books and CD’s recommended:
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 5th edition
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, D Sibley Knopf 2003
Find lowest prices here
Bird Recordings from Quebec
www.birdsounds.nl
Complete package tour including air and ground fares is available upon request:
Many of our destinations require multiple flight connections, and it is very important you are protected if complications arise. Our experienced travel consultants are well trained in booking complicated itineraries, not only to obtain the most economical pricing, but also to make sure you are protected, should delays or other complications occur.
For a quote please request it on the form below.
Note: To ascertain tour availability and best pricing, select a week for departure date. e.g. Sep 01 - 07
Need more information please email us.
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