Alderbrooke Marsh

Dunham, Quebec

Two properties, totalling 145 acres, are located in the Alderbrooke valley in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, between the towns of Dunham and Sutton, south-east of Cowansville: Lot 36, off chemin Macey, and Lot 42 off of chemin Favreau. The land, acquired by BPQ in two parts in 1995, was purchased from the Alderbrooke Marsh Land Trust and subsequently leased back to them for a period of 40 years less one day. They manage the property as part of a much more extensive ecosystem which they work to protect. The property will revert to Bird Protection Quebec in 2035.

The properties, lot 42 (95 acres) and lot 36 (50 acres), consist of marshland created by beavers, running along a brook at the bottom of a valley. These wetlands have enormous ecological value. Through studies of the flora and fauna, performed in collaboration with specialists from several Quebec universities, many rare plants as well as the wood turtle, four-toed salamander and the green frog have been identified. The variety of birds identified by the Brome Missisquoi Birding Club on the property is quite impressive.

These properties are not easy to find, and they are difficult to access as there are no marked trails. With much of the area being made up of marshland, the Alderbrooke Marsh Land Trust actually suggests using a canoe! A 2006 visit to Lot 36 followed the route starting at Point 017, entering by foot from chemin Macey, crossing a neighbouring privately owned pasture at approximately N45 08.223 – W72 41.528. Access to lot 42 can be obtained by bush-whacking through thick bush starting at Point 026 on chemin Favreau at approximately N45 08.889 W72 42.256.

Data has been collected and contributed to Birds Canada’s Marsh Monitoring Program from this site.

A breeding bird survey has been carried out.