Approximately 200 species of nesting, migratory, visiting, wintering, and indigenous birds live on or pass through the Islands. It is also possible to observe many passerines and some birds of prey. Wildfowl, sea birds and shore birds represent the majority of bird species on the Îles de la Madeleine.
The best sites for bird-watching are generally the areas around marshes and ponds in tidal zones and dunes or on the islands and islets just off shore:
Île aux Goélands in L'Étang-du-Nord (Chemin Delaney), Île aux Cochons (near the Havre-aux-Maisons' marina), Île Rouge (close to the bridge linking Cap aux Meules and Havre aux Maisons Islands) are interesting sites. Bird Rock, Brion Island and Entry Island are some of the finest marine bird colony observation sites. Parc des Buck's trails are also excellent places to observe woodland birds. Don't forget to bring along a bird-watching book, a map of the Islands and a pair of binoculars!
