Critical fall staging sites for shorebirds migrating through the St. Lawrence system, Quebec

Abstract

Surveys conducted in 1980 and 1981 and results originating from unpublished studies were used to assess the importance of the St. Lawrence River, Estuary and Gulf for fall-migrating shorebirds. At least 160 000 shorebirds representing 22 species stop over in the area. In the St. Lawrence system as a whole, the sector between Quebec and Matane showed the highest concentration of birds; this sector alone accounted for nearly 70\% of the total bird count. Our data indicate that Ile Rouge, the Havre aux Basques Lagoon and the Portneuf Sandbar can be considered among the most important known sites in eastern North America for the Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), Shortbilled Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) and White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) respectively.