Îlet Vert and Île aux Canards

Varennes, Quebec

Bird Protection Quebec owns two islands located in an archipelago down river from the north-eastern end of the island of Montreal. Both islands are located in the municipality of Varennes. Several other islands in the same area are the property of Nature Conservancy Canada and have been acquired for permanent protection and conservation.

Île aux Canards is 16 acres and was acquired by Bird Protection Quebec in 1984.

Îlet Vert is 47 acres, in the same region as Île aux Canards, and was also acquired by Bird Protection Quebec in 1984.

These islands contain a mixture of marshland, meadows and woodland. They provide crucial staging habitat for migrating waterfowl. Stretches of wet meadows are found on both islands. Beds of Northern water milfoil, water plantain and Canada waterweed flourish along the eastern shores of the islands, sheltered from waves.

The eastern half of Île aux Canards is generally below water level during spring due to high water levels following winter melt. The higher ground to the west of the island is covered in long grasses and has a healthy population of Bobolinks in summer.

On Îlet Vert the low-lying areas around the northern end of the island are subject to inundation in spring after the winter ice melts. An area at the extreme SW of the island is a popular picnic spot for local visitors. The interior of the island is covered predominantly by grasslands. Visits to the islands over the last number of years have recorded between 30 and 40 species of birds.

The sanctuary is an eBird hotspot. To see the complete list of species which have been reported, go to:

Île aux Canards : https://ebird.org/hotspot/L6133319?yr=all

Îlet Vert : https://ebird.org/hotspot/L6136899/

The islands are only accessible by private boat, canoe or kayak. There are beach areas on each of the islands and both have been used on occasion by boaters, hunters and picnickers. Three information panels have been installed on each of the islands detailing the rules and regulations for visitors. The interior areas of both islands are the most sensitive and in need of protection as ground nesting birds generally make use of the grasslands.