Shorebirds

The tidal pools and coastal areas of the islands of the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve abounds with marine invertebrates and algae, which attracts a wide variety of shorebirds during their breeding and migration periods.

More than 25 species of large and small shorebirds roam the mud flats, shores and rocky shoals in the spring and summer to feed and gain some weight in preparation for their fall migration. The sandy and pebble beaches of the upper shore are also used by several species to rest and socialize.

Only six species of shorebirds nest in peat bogs, salt marshes, barrens or open boreal forest of the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve.

Shorebirds can undertake very long migrations and the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve has been collaborating for several years in a national program that monitors them during their fall migration. The shorebird populations trends in the park reserve is currently being assessed since the Mingan Archipelago is considered a very important resting and feeding areas during their migration.