Kamouraska

(Cadastral map of site also available: 75 K)

At this site in the municipality of Saint-Germain-de-Kamouraska, privately owned land has been acquired, permitting the protection of part of one of the last extensive cord-grass marshes along the estuary.

Saltmarsh of Kamouraska. Photo: Guy Verreault, MEF

Situated seaward of an aboiteau designed to prevent salt water from inundating the land at high tide, the protected area is colonized primarily by saltmarsh vegetation typical of the estuary (saltwater cord-grass, saltmeadow grass, halophytic communities).

Protecting this site is especially important to maintain breeding, brooding and migration habitat for Black Ducks. During the migration period, more than 55,000 Snow Geese and nearly 2,800 dabbling ducks flock through the area. The saltmarshes also constitute very important rearing habitat for a number of fish species, in particular rainbow smelt, Atlantic tomcod and sticklebacks. These fish feed on the abundant benthic fauna and crustaceans that inhabit the flats.

This site was acquired in partnership with the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture. The 11.72 hectares of habitat, which belong to the Fondation de la faune du Québec, have helped to consolidate this organization’s conservation action in the sector.