Quebec is an excellent destination for viewing snow geese during their spring and fall migrations. Snow geese breed in the Arctic and migrate south for the winter, stopping in Quebec along the way. In the spring, hundreds of thousands of snow geese pass through Quebec on their way north to their breeding grounds, usually from early April to mid-May. The best places in Quebec to see the snow geese depend on the timing of their migration.
In the spring, some key questions for snow goose viewing are:
- When do the snow geese migrate through Quebec in the spring?
- Where are the prime snow goose staging areas in Quebec in spring?
- What are the best places to see snow geese in Quebec in early spring, mid-spring, and late spring?
The snow geese start arriving in Quebec in early April, with the migration peaking in mid to late April. By early May, most snow geese have continued their migration north. The main snow goose staging areas in Quebec are along the St. Lawrence River, especially around Montmagny, Cap-Saint-Ignace, and Kamouraska. The best places to see snow geese depend on when in April or May you are looking to view them.
Early April
In early April, look for snow geese in areas just north of the Quebec/U.S. border:
- Montmagny and l’Isle-aux-Grues
- Cap-Saint-Ignace and Saint-Jean-Port-Joli
- Rivière-du-Loup
These areas host the earliest flocks of snow geese arriving in Quebec before the migration peaks later in the month. The snow geese congregate in agricultural fields and wetlands nearby the St. Lawrence River in these regions of Quebec.
Mid-April
From mid-April through late April, the snow goose migration is at its peak, with the largest flocks of geese concentrated around Kamouraska, east of Rivière-du-Loup:
- Kamouraska
- La Pocatière
- Montmagny
- Cap-Saint-Ignace
- Rivière-du-Loup
- Isle-Verte
These are the prime snow goose viewing areas during the peak of spring migration in Quebec, with up to hundreds of thousands of snow geese present. The geese forage in agricultural fields during the day and roost on the St. Lawrence River at night.
Early May
By early May, the number of snow geese migrating through Quebec declines as the majority have continued north. But big flocks can still be found in the traditional areas:
- Kamouraska
- Rivière-du-Loup
- Isle-Verte
- Cacouna
These hotspots host the last of the migrating snow geese in Quebec before the migration ends in mid-May. Seeing snow geese in early May is hit or miss, so call ahead to confirm there are still flocks present.
Best Places to See Snow Geese in Quebec
Here is a summary of the prime snow goose viewing spots in Quebec during spring migration:
| Area | Early April | Mid-April | Early May |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montmagny & L’Isle-aux-Grues | X | X | |
| Cap-Saint-Ignace & Saint-Jean-Port-Joli | X | X | |
| Rivière-du-Loup | X | X | X |
| Kamouraska | X | X | |
| La Pocatière | X | ||
| Isle-Verte | X | X | |
| Cacouna | X |
This summarizes the key snow goose viewing areas in Quebec and at what point in the spring migration they are recommended. Rivière-du-Loup is a good area for spotting snow geese throughout April into early May. Kamouraska, Isle-Verte, Montmagny, and Cap-Saint-Ignace are also prime spots during the peak migration in mid-April.
Snow Goose Viewing Tips
Here are some tips to have the best experience viewing snow geese in Quebec during spring migration:
- Use binoculars and spotting scopes – The flocks of snow geese can be massive, so magnified viewing makes identifying and observing individual geese easier.
- Pack warm clothes – Standing outside observing snow geese means dressing warmly for the early spring Quebec weather.
- Bring a camera – Capture photos of the majestic birds up close.
- Look for blue phase snow geese – While most snow geese are white, about 1 in 10 are a rare blue color morph.
- View the morning flyouts – For an amazing sight, get up early and view the snow geese leaving their roosts en masse at first light.
- Check sightings reports – Consult birding sites to confirm current snow goose hotspots and numbers.
- Be respectful – When viewing snow geese in agricultural fields, stay on roads and trails to avoid disturbing the birds.
Following these tips will help you successfully find and observe snow geese in Quebec during their spring migration.
Quebec Snow Goose Festivals
Quebec hosts festivals celebrating the arrival of snow geese each spring. These festivals are excellent opportunities to see large flocks of snow geese and join guided tours:
- Festival des oies blanches in Montmagny – Occurs for 2 weeks in late April/early May with family-friendly activities.
- Festival des oies des neiges in Saint-Antonin – Takes place for 3-4 days in early May with marsh tours.
- Festival de l’oie blanche in Lévis – Offers guided snow goose observation tours throughout April.
Check festival websites each year for exact dates and activities. These popular festivals allow visitors to fully experience the snow goose migration with help from expert guides.
Conclusion
Quebec provides a front-row seat to one of nature’s most incredible migrations each spring as hundreds of thousands of snow geese fly over on their way north. Timing your visit for April or early May allows you to witness the peak of the snow goose migration through the province. Hotspot viewing areas include Montmagny, Cap-Saint-Ignace, Kamouraska, Rivière-du-Loup, and Isle-Verte among others along the St. Lawrence River. With a pair of binoculars, warm clothes, and an adventurous spirit, marveling at massive flocks of snow geese in Quebec makes for a memorable spring nature experience.
