During recent years, songbird migration during late spring has drawn new attention to Tadoussac Bird Observatory in Quebec, also known as a fall raptor migration hotspot (Bay-breasted Warbler by Paul Konrad). Next Wednesday, April 30th, Alex Terrigeol will describe the variety of work being conducted at Tadoussac Bird Observatory during a live Zoom presentation hosted by the Hawk Migration Association.

Known for the exceptional numbers of raptors visible at close range during fall migration, the spring migration of songbirds has taken the spotlight at Tadoussac Bird Observatory, Quebec’s premier bird observatory. Next Wednesday, April 30 at 12 noon EDT, the director of Tadoussac, Alex Terrigeol, will share a live presentation the describes projects conducted and information learned during the more than 30 years of monitoring bird migration and conducting a variety of research projects.

Hosted by the Hawk Migration Association, Alex will highlight the essential role Tadoussac plays in enhancing our understanding of bird migration and migration trends. He will also discuss upcoming projects, other sites where staff and associates work, and the initiatives being developed to encourage birders and anyone interested in birds to visit the bird observatory. Located on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River northeast of Quebec City, near the town of Tadoussac, the staff and volunteers at the bird observatory have been monitoring bird migration through a variety of research projects, including the boreal songbird monitoring program, bird banding operations, hawk counts, and much more.

Alex’s commitment to wildlife conservation is complemented by his dedication to raising public awareness of ecological issues. He annually organizes the Cote-Nord Migratory Bird Festival and leads some of the birding activities, including bird photography. Alex is also involved in bird population monitoring programs and actively participates in scientific outreach events.

This live Zoom program is Free and open to everyone, but registration is required; simply refer to Meeting Registration - Zoom. For anyone unable to join via Zoom, the Hawk Migration Association will live stream the program on their Facebook page, and a recording this program will be available on their website following the event at Hawk Migration Association (scroll down to the “What’s New” section after April 30th).

Hawk Migration Update

Let us also emphasize that spring raptor migration is in full swing with impressive numbers of Broad-winged Hawks reaching the borderlands of the United States and Canada. In fact, Saturday was a record-breaking day at the Derby Hill Bird Observatory east of Rochester, New York! Located on the southeast shore of Lake Ontario a total of 19,642 Broad-winged Hawks were counted, with the day’s total of raptors totaling 21,176.

As described by one observer: “What followed was the largest single hour of hawk watching that most of us will ever experience. Kettles of Broad-winged Hawks began to fill the sky; it didn't matter which way you looked because there was a flight line inland, a bigger flight line overhead, and the biggest flight line out over Lake Ontario! During the course of an hour we counted more than 16,000 Broad-wings, plus several hundred Sharp-shinned Hawks and Turkey Vultures (see HawkCount). Also, check on other spring hawkwatch count sites to see daily and monthly totals at HawkCount