Lagune du Havre aux Basques et plage de l'Ouest (QC003)

Lagune du Havre aux Basques et plage de l'Ouest (QC003)

Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Québec

Site Description

The Havre aux Basques lagoon is located between the islands of Cap aux Meules and Havre-Aubert in the Magdalen Islands archipelago. These two islands, nearly 11km apart, are interconnected by two nearly parallel sand dunes. The southern section of the Havre aux Basques lagoon is characterized by open water, while the northern section is comprised of a network of canals surrounding sandy inlets, and salt meadow-marsh prairies. In 1956, the construction of a provincial road along the east side of the lagoon resulted in the closure of two of the three openings from the lagoon to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Since the closure of these openings, there has been a noticeable increase in sand deposition and a reduction in the average tide level within the lagoon. The sand dune and associated beach along the west side of the lagoon is generally referred to as Plage de l'Ouest. Plages de la Martinique et de Havre-Aubert, on the east side have been identified as a separate IBA.

Birds

The Lagune du Havre aux Basques and Plage de l'Ouest support significant breeding populations of Piping Plovers and Common Terns, along with significant concentrations of shorebirds during fall migration.

Plage de l'Ouest is one of the principal breeding sites within the Magdalen islands for the nationally endangered and globally vulnerable Piping Plover. Well over 1% of the Canadian population of breeding plovers has consistently been recorded at the site from 1979 onwards. An average of 10 pairs bred here in the years between 1994 and 1998, with a peak of 14 pairs iin 1995. The average is equivalent to 5% of the Atlantic Canada population.

Common Terns make their nests on an island in the lagoon along with smaller numbers of Arctic Terns. The estimated Common Tern population in 1990 was 1510 birds, or about 1.5% of the estimated North American population. Two records of a pair of Roseate Terns nesting within the mixed tern colony were noted in 1982 and 1983. No accounts of this nationally endangered species have shown up in recent censuses. Another species of interest, the Common Black-headed Gull, has been recorded nesting in tern colonies in the northern part of the lagoon, which is one of the two known colonies for this European migrant in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Since 1981 an estimated six pairs have made use of this site.

During the fall migration, the shallow marshes, sandy beaches and lagoons within this site provide an abundance of food and habitat for a large variety of shorebirds. Approximately 55% of the shorebirds migrating through the Gulf of St. Lawrence use Havre aux Basques Lagoon as a stopover site (in 1973 a seasonal total of 21,712 was recorded). On occasion very large numbers of Short-billed Dowitchers are recorded (7,619 birds in 1981, or more than 2% of the global population). Older records also list large numbers of White-rumped Sandpipers at the lagoon (6,000 in 1956). Large numbers of Whimbrels, Semipalmated and Least sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs (700 in 1974), Red Knots, and Black-bellied Plovers (1,500 in 1974, or about 1% of their North American population) have also been recorded in the past. Lesser Yellowlegs, Hudsonian Godwits, and Semipalmated Plovers are frequent visitors, while Caspian Terns, American Black Ducks and have been observed on several occasions.

Occasionally, large numbers of Great Cormorants are seen (it breeds nearby), but this species is usually only seen flying by. Short-eared Owls bred in the marshes between 1987 (or earlier) and 1993, but have not been seen since.

Conservation Issues

Birders enjoy the Havre aux Basques lagoon because of both the diversity of bird life, and the accessibility of the site. This accessibility, however, is a concern since increasing numbers of visitors may negatively affect the site. The extensive use of all-terrain vehicles has already had a negative effect through the destruction of sensitive vegetation and the disturbance of nesting Piping Plovers.

Since 1987, Piping Plover research has been conducted within this area. Using the data gathered, programs have been developed to inform residents and tourists about the sensitivities of the nesting Piping Plovers. During the breeding season, signs are now being installed that delimit restricted areas where Piping Plovers should remain undisturbed.

Part of Havre aux Basques is a no-hunting area. This area extends in an easterly and westerly direction from the coast of Baie de Plaisance and the Gulf of St. Lawrence respectively (a 200 metre zone) with the northern and southern limits being 47°18'N and 47°19'20"N.

The Plage de l'Ouest was contaminated with oil in 1970 when the Irving Whale sank between Prince Edward Island and the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. At that time people put the dirty sand in bags and buried them in the dunes – it is still possible to find these oily bags today in on the beach.

Fish Habitat

Located in a sandy area, the sector is mainly defined by the presence of salt marshes that are home to many marine fish and invertebrates. As the banks of lagoons generally have a gentle slope, the fine particles suspended in seawater, rich in nutrients, are deposited, promoting the development of these swamps gradually as the bottom of the lagoon rises. Around the islands, lagoons are used for aquaculture, shellfish harvesting and recreational activities. The slow current in eelgrass beds makes them a suitable environment for small fish such as stickleback and Atlantic silverside, the tautog tench, the mummichog and for benthic species, including the common crab. The crangon, also called sand shrimp, occupies an important place in the community. By their situation, their connections with the sea and the shallowness of the water collumn, lagoons are the favored growing habitats of American lobster and a spawning site used by many other marine species such as herring, flounder, Atlantic tomcod and rainbow smelt.

The main pressures on lagoons and fish habitats are related to human activities that have increased in recent decades: aquaculture, boating, recreational fishing and road infrastructure are some examples. The discharge of waste and silting are also issues of concern to the quality and sustainability of these habitats.

Major species present:
American eel
American lobster
Atlantic silverside
Atlantic tomcod
Common crab
Crangon (sand shrimp)
Mummichog
Rainbow smelt
Stickleback
Tautog tench
Winter flounder

IBA Criteria Habitats Land Uses Potential or Ongoing Threats Conservation Status

• Short-billed Dowitcher7,619 (max.)
• Black-headed Gull133 (max.)
• Whimbrel1,000 (max.)
• Little Gull2 (max.)
• Piping Plover23 (max.)
• Roseate Tern3 (max.)
• Semipalmated Plover1,400 (max.)
• Dovekie8 (max.)