Lac Boivin (QC123)
Granby, Québec
Site Description
Lac Boivin is just outside the city of Granby, in the Eastern Township region of Quebec. The lake was created via construction of a dam and provides drinking water to the city. Residential and commercial developments and a municipal park are located along the north and west shores of the lake, and a cycling path follows the south shore. A freshwater marsh also borders part of the lake. Fields and woodlots of varying ages occur on the site, including a cedar bush and a hemlock grove that is at least 125 years of age. Vegetation in the shallow marsh is comprised of cattails and phragmites, while emergent plants and submerged grasses, such as pondweed, wild celery, and watermilfoil dominate the deeper part of the marsh.
Birds
In fall, large flocks of waterfowl visit the site. As many as 2,000 American Black Ducks have been recorded, which is about 1% of this species' Atlantic population. Other waterfowl species, including Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Canada Goose, Snow Goose, Common Merganser and Blue-winged Teal also use the site as a fall staging area.
This IBA is the annual breeding site of more than one hundred and twenty species of birds including: American Bittern, Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Northern Harrier, Common Moorhen, Virginia Rail, Willow Flycatcher, Marsh Wren and Black Tern. One or two pairs of the nationally threatened Least Bittern are also known to breed each year at Lac Boivin.
Conservation Issues
The lake was identified as a Hunting Free Area by the Canadian Wildlife Service. The Centre d'interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin (CINLB) manages conservation and outreach activities at the site, including the maintenance of nature trails and interpretation activities. Ducks Unlimited Canada also helps maintain appropriate habitat for breeding waterfowl.
IBA Criteria Habitats Land Uses Potential or Ongoing Threats Conservation Status
