Continued from part 2.
For an up close and personal view of the gannets, take the forty-five minute “Sentier des Colonies” hiking trail that goes though wildflower meadows to their nesting area. You’ll end up right next to them. And you’ll know you’re nearly there when you hear the calling at a decibel level that would put a rock band to shame.
Not that the birds care. They just go right on incubating their eggs or guarding their chicks in front of the tourists. Even with the rope barrier between human and bird, you’ll still be only about 10 feet away from them.
Bonaventure island was first visited by Jacques Cartier in 1534, although he didn’t make note of any birds here. Later in March 1919, after the bird population started to fall off due to pollution, Canada, the United States and Mexico signed an agreement to protect these migratory birds, at the same time officially making both Bonaventure Island and neighboring Perce Rock, migratory bird sanctuaries.
Perce Rock too is worth checking out, with its famous hole. It’s believed there were originally four holes in the massive five million ton rock, but over time parts of the rock have fallen into the sea. It still looks dramatic however, in its majestic position overlooking Gaspe’s Land’s End.
It’s all well worth the trip.
For more information contact: www.sepaq.com or www.bonjourquebec.com
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