Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The Île aux Basques lies 4 km offshore of Trois-Pistoles, in the marine estuary of Saint-Lawrence River, Quebec. L' Île aux Basques and the Razades are three rocky islands that belong, from a geological perspective, to the Appalachian Mountains. The Île aux Basques is the only island with forest cover a fresh water supply, and year-long occupation by birds. At low tide, the south shore of the Île aux Basques expose a vast mudflat whereas the north shore, which correspond to the end of the Appalachians, is bordered by a zone of deep waters. The zone that extends around three kilometers north of the island is an important staging area for aquatic birds. The Razades are two small islands 5 and 7 kilometres down-river from the Île aux Basques
At the end of the 15th century the Île aux Basques was used by Europeans; one of the first sites used by Europeans in the country. It was also a place where Europeans and First Nations people traded. Given its long use, the island has conserved a remarkably pristine character. The Société Provancher, which owns the island, offers a summer and fall boat service.
Île aux Basques et les Razades support a diverse array of waterbirds. About 2,000, or at least 1% of the poorly known Red-throated Loon population has been recorded in May. Double-crested Cormorants were found in nationally significant numbers here. In total, over 1,000 nests were recorded, representing greater than 1% of the estimated Atlantic population. Additionally, roughly 2% (2,000 birds) of the estimated Atlantic flyway population of Black Duck were found.
The island is a favourite for birders. Since the 1930s, over 229 species have been seen in the 1 km² area around the island. Other birds found at this site include Osprey, Great Blue Heron (20 pairs), Brant (300), Common Eider (1,000), Herring Gull (700 pairs), Surf Scoter (1,500), Barrow's Goldeneye (20), Red-breasted Merganser (2,000), and Purple Sandpiper (10).
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The three islands of this IBA have been a Migratory Bird Sanctuary since 1927. The Sanctuary includes the three islands and adjacent waters. Banding of migrant landbirds has occurred on the main island. The Société Provancher restricts the access to the islands and has a full-time guardian living at Trois-Pistoles. Within the Île aux Basques, visitors are allowed neither on the entire island from 20 May to 15 June, nor around the gull-eider colonies, the heronry and the osprey’s nest-site in order to reduce disturbance. Île aux Basques hosts about 10-20 visitors per day from May to October. The Black-crowned Night-Herons may have stopped breeding on the island because of this visitation disturbance. Red Fox is present on the island on average 4 out of 5 years. This mammal crosses an ice-bridge that is formed between the mainland and the island in winter. When fox are absent, 200-300 pairs of eiders and as many Herring Gulls breed on the island. The Razades, are free of human visitors and of fox predation as well.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Île aux Basques et Les Razades (Canada). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/île-aux-basques-et-les-razades-iba-canada on 24/11/2024.
