IBA	Île aux Basques et Les Razades Trois-Pistoles, Québec
Site Summary
QC046	Latitude Longitude	48.167° N 69.200° W	Elevation Size	0 - 25 m 58.46 km²

Habitats: coniferous forest (temperate), mixed woods (temperate), scrub/shrub, native grassland, salt marshes/brackish marshes, rivers/streams, mud or sand flats (saline), rocky flats & barrens	Land Use: Nature conservation and research, Other, Tourism/recreation	Potential or ongoing Threats: Disturbance, Interactions with native species/disease, Oil slicks
IBA Criteria: Globally Significant: Congregatory Species, Continentally Significant: Congregatory Species
Conservation status: Migratory Bird Sanctuary (federal)

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Site Description 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.

Birds 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).

Criteria Version: Current Original (circa 2000) Date Range: All Pre-2000 Post-2000 Last 10 Years Display: Summary Details IBA Criteria Species↓ T | A | I Links Date Season Number G C N American Herring Gull 1969 - 1980 FA 3,000 - 5,000 ✔ American Herring Gull 1970 SU 3,000 American Herring Gull 1980 WI 3,000 Barrow's Goldeneye 1967 - 1981 SP 40 - 75 ✔ Black Guillemot 1993 FA 2,000 ✔ Black Guillemot 1979 SP 1,500 ✔ Black-legged Kittiwake 1997 FA 30,000 ✔ Little Gull 2014 FA 4 ✔ Little Gull 2003 SU 2 ✔ Manx Shearwater 2017 FA 4 ✔ Red-breasted Merganser 1990 - 2002 FA 2,000 - 3,500 ✔ Red-throated Loon 1977 - 1997 SP 400 - 2,000 ✔ Rusty Blackbird 2002 FA 25 Note: species shown in bold indicate that the maximum number exceeds at least one of the IBA thresholds (sub-regional, regional or global). The site may still not qualify for that level of IBA if the maximum number reflects an exceptional or historical occurrence.

Conservation Issues 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.

Fish Habitat The landscape of the are is made out of Spartina marsh, eelgrass beds, rocky shores and gravel or pebbles beaches. Some rivers are hosting rainbow smelt spawning runs (the south shore population of the St. Lawrence middle estuary). At the beginning of the summer, it is possbile to observe capelin rolling on the beaches during spawning. The downstream migration of American eel toward their breeding sites in the Atlantic, which takes place in the fall, allows the capture of migraing adults using fishing weirs. Two other species commercially exploited are also roaming in the open waters of the estuary: the Atlantic sturgeon and Atlantic herring. Loss of fish habitat remains a major problem in the region. The dikes, for example, reduce the number of spawning habitats, while agricultural along the coast, the residential development and the presence of resorts together with coastal erosion are resulting in the destruction of several riparian ecosystems. Major species present: American eel American shad Atlantic herring Atlantic sturgeon Capelin Rainbow smelt (population of south shore of the St. Lawrence middle estuary) Stickleback

Plants The salinity of the St. Lawrence water has a strong influence on the flora of the coastal habitats. Salt marshes are dominated by saltmeadow cordgrass, tall cordgrass, red fescue and chaffy paleacea. Present in a variable proportion, a variety of plants typical of estuarine environments: sea pea, Scotch lovage, American searocket, sea milkwort, etc. In areas submerged where substrate is thin, and water velocity is small, eelgrass grows. Eelgrass beds are home to an amazing biodiversity: shellfish, crustacean, fish, etc. which attract many predators. Several fish-eating birds such as the great blue heron come to take a meal. The Brant goose is closely linked with this habitat since the underground parts of the eelgrass are at the basis of its diet. Habitat loss, whether caused by human interventions (wetland drainage, road construction, urban spread, etc.) or through natural phenomena (coastal erosion) severely impact the flora. Similarly, water pollution and risks of oil spills are issues of special concern for the flora and fauna of these areas. Major species present : American searocket Chaffy paleacea Marine eelgrass Red fescue Saltmeadow cordgrass Scotch lovage Sea milkwort Sea pea / Beach pea Tall cordgrass

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The IBA Program is an international conservation initiative coordinated by BirdLife International. The Canadian co-partners for the IBA Program are Birds Canada and Nature Canada.