With 280 km to explore, the King’s Road (Chemin du Roy) is a true playground for birdwatchers. Alongside familiar species such as the American robin, chickadee and blue jay, you may encounter migratory birds like swallows, ospreys and warblers. With a bit of luck, you might even glimpse rarer species such as the great blue heron or the belted kingfisher. Keep your eyes open!
Spotlight on Parks and Natural Areas
Thanks to its strategic location along the St. Lawrence River, the King’s Road offers a spectacular setting for birdwatching. Throughout the season, birds gather here to feed, drink and preen, creating exceptional opportunities for photography.
In Repentigny, Parc de l’Île-Lebel is a must-see destination, especially in spring. Its observation area provides excellent viewing conditions for purple martins, supported by nesting boxes installed by the Club d’ornithologie de la région des Moulins. In total, up to 150 bird species pass through its mudflats, marshes and wooded areas: a delight for photographers seeking striking images.
Further along the route, the Berthier Islands stand out as a renowned birdwatching site near the Chemin du Roy. The Société de conservation, d’interprétation et de recherche de Berthier et ses îles (SCIRBI) protects and maintains a 265-hectare area, including Île aux Castors and Île du Mitan. Its 9.7 km of trails provide rewarding encounters with nearly 225 bird species recorded on site. Bring your spotting scope!
At the Sentier des Migrateurs in Maskinongé, the marshoffers excellent conditions for observing more than 200 species, including several that are rare or threatened. Beyond marsh birds, you may also encounter geese, hawks and other small raptors, particularly during spring and fall migrations. Interpretive panels along the 2.2 km trail provide insights into this fascinating ecosystem.
Along the way, be sure to stop at the Pointe-Yamachiche boardwalk – the fifth longest footbridge in Quebec! Its two lookout points, freely accessible, offer sweeping views over Lake Saint-Pierre, known for its rich biodiversity. More than 200 bird species can be seen here, including shorebirds, ducks and bald eagles. Well worth the detour!
As you pass through Trois-Rivières, be sure to stop at Île Saint-Quentin, where a 3.2 km trail loop and a 750 m rustic footbridge offer stunning views at the confluence of the St. Lawrence River and the Saint-Maurice River. Wood ducks, warblers, woodpeckers and other migratory birds gather here in large numbers each spring, along with the majestic merlin. Don’t miss it!
Near Quebec City, Parc familial des Berges in Donnacona provides a welcoming setting to observe birds in their natural habitat. Located near a key migratory route along the Jacques-Cartier River, it attracts numerous waterbird species, particularly during nesting periods in spring and early summer. The park is particularly well suited to young families, offering a great opportunity to introduce the next generation of birdwatchers.
At the Réserve naturelle du Marais-Léon-Provancher in Neuville, two observation areas located between the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and the King’s Road (Highway 138) offer excellent opportunities to observe local flora and fauna. The reserve’s website also provides an up-to-date list of bird species to help you plan your visit. For those looking to explore further, the reserve participates in eBird, the world’s largest online bird database, as well as iNaturalist, a social network for sharing observations and learning more about nature. Don’t forget your mobile phone!
An Immersive Experience in Nature
For a truly immersive experience, water safaris are a compelling way to step into a completely different world. Aquatic wildlife reveals itself from a new perspective, creating opportunities for spontaneous encounters with bird species that are difficult to observe from land.
The Domaine du Lac Saint-Pierre in Louiseville offers a bayou safari through the marshes and flooded forests of the Lake Saint-Pierre archipelago. The experience includes a two-hour journey through this unique ecosystem, known as the “Bayous of the North,” within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. You may spot bald eagles and great blue herons along the way: an experience reminiscent of the southern bayous of Louisiana.
For boating and water sports enthusiasts, the Marina de Portneuf offers a remarkable site within an internationally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA). During spring migration, the spectacle of snow geese, Canada geese, common eiders, herons, peregrine falcons and bald eagles is truly impressive. These species can also be observed from the Observatoire ornithologique de Portneuf, where a lookout equipped with fixed binoculars offers a remarkable vantage point.
Orchards and countryside destinations along the Chemin du Roy also provide great birdwatching opportunities. From Verger Barry – Cidrerie & Distillerie in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, to Royaume Bleuets & Fraises in Champlain, and Ferme Langlois et fils / Chez Médé in Neuville, there are plenty of places to enjoy both nature and local flavours.
Take the opportunity to discover delicious local products or enjoy activities such as fruit picking, adding a new dimension to your outing. After all, nature can be savoured just as much with your eyes as with your taste buds!
Birdwatching enthusiasts, the Chemin du Roy still has plenty to surprise you. Some sites, such as Île Saint-Quentin and the Réserve naturelle du Marais-Léon-Provancher, remain accessible in winter, offering opportunities to observe resident and northern species. Let yourself be captivated by the colours, songs and graceful flight of these remarkable creatures as they fill the sky with movement and life.