Species at risk
Forillon National Park
At Forillon National Park, species at risk need our help to survive. Parks Canada works to protect them by monitoring their populations, safeguarding their habitat, and raising visitor awareness about the importance of conservation. Together, these actions help preserve Forillon's unique biodiversity.
On this page
- Bats
- Bats under surveillance at Forillon National Park (video)
- Bank swallow
- Harlequin duck
- Migratory birds under surveillance at Forillon National Park (video)
Bats
Little brown bat in flight.
Seven bat species have been recorded at Forillon. Four are resident species, meaning they hibernate at our latitudes, while three are migratory species that spend the winter farther south.
Resident species
- Little brown bat
- Little brown bat
- Tri-coloured bat
- Big brown bat
Migratory species
- Red bat
- Harry bat
- Silver-haired bat
Bats provide us with an invaluable service. While campers sleep soundly, bats quietly hunt biting insects and agricultural and forest pests throughout the night! That's why we monitor their populations using, among other methods, acoustic recording stations.
Bats under surveillance at Forillon National Park
Unfortunately, all of these bat species, except the Big Brown Bat, are listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as species at risk.
Among the causes of bat declines in North America are habitat loss and the reduction of insect populations, their primary food source. Their low reproductive rate also hampers recovery efforts. In addition, because bats tend to gather in large groups to hibernate and raise their young, they are particularly vulnerable to diseases such as White-nose Syndrome.
To learn more visit our web page Monitor and protect bats and their habitat
The following video highlights the seven bat species found in the park and showcases the work carried out by our conservation teams to better understand and protect these valuable allies of our ecosystems.
Bats under surveillance at Forillon National Park
Transcript
Forillon National Park has seven species of bats.
Of these, four are residents, meaning they spend the winter here.
We’re talking about the little Brown Bat,
the Northern Bat, the Tri-colored and the Big Brown Bat.
There are also three migratory species, meaning they spend the winter further south.
These are the Red Bat, the Hoary Bat and the Silver-haired Bat.
With the exception of the Big Brown Bat,
all these species are on the list of species at risk and are designated as endangered.
The Little Brown Bat, the Northern Bat and the Tri-colored Bat are all small in size.
They are around 10 cm high and between 20 and 27 cm wide when their wings are spread.
The Little Brown Bat and the Northern Bat can be recognized by their distinctive fur,
which is lighter on the belly and darker on the back,
while the Tri-colored Bat has tricolored fur.
Despite their similar appearance,
they can be distinguished by the shape, size and colour of their ears,
which are quite imposing in relation to the size of their heads.
The Red Bat has brownish orange fur with a white spot under the chin.
The Red Bat has brownish orange fur with a white spot under the chin.
The Hoary Bat is easily distinguished by its yellowish face and throat.
The Silver-haired Bat is distinguished by the silver-tipped hairs on its back.
These are medium- to large-sized bats.
Their height is around 15 cm,
while the width ranges from 30 cm to 42 cm when their wings are spread.
Bats are victims of misconceptions
and play an important role in the ecological balance of our ecosystems.
They are mammals like us,
but they use echolocation to move around and detect their prey in space.
By feeding on flying insects,
bats provide us with invaluable services in controlling the biting insect population
and pests that cause major damage to our crops and forests.
They are valued allies for both gardeners and campers.
The diversity of its ecosystems means that
Forillon National Park offers a multitude of bat-friendly habitats.
As insectivores, bats like to hunt in natural environments where insects are in abundance.
For example, they will seek out wetlands, open areas, ponds, clearings,
woodland edges or below the forest canopy.
When bats are not busy feeding, they rest.
Some bats use trees, whether in hollow tree cavities, under the bark or in the foliage,
while others prefer rock cavities or old buildings such as barns or garages.
In autumn, resident bats take refuge in caves, crevices
or abandoned mines to hibernate until spring.
Unfortunately, the Little Brown Bat, the Northern Bat and the Tri-colored Bat populations
have seen drastic declines of 90-95%
since the introduction of the white-nose syndrome in 2006 in the United States and in 2010 in Quebec.
This disease is caused by a fungus and spreads extremely quickly,
representing the main threat to resident species.
This fungal infection develops on the skin of bats
and increases the number of early awakenings during hibernation.
Bats then have to expend a lot of energy, which causes them to draw on their fat reserves.
With food sources extremely scarce during the cold season,
they eventually die of starvation and exhaustion.
For species that spend their winter further south, migration exposes them to a number of threats.
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)
has identified wind farms as a major cause of mortality for migratory bats.
These species, the Red Bat, Hoary Bat and Silver-haired Bat,
have been added to the list of species at risk in 2023.
There are also other threats that affect bats,
which include habitat loss and declining insect populations in North America.
By preserving the ecological integrity of Forillon National Park,
we help bats recover by protecting and conserving their habitats.
In order to monitor the status of the various species,
the conservation team carries out inventories every year.
We use a variety of inventory methods, including stationary recording stations,
mobile inventories and twilight observations of our buildings.
In this way, we can observe the rate of activity, the rate of occurrence
and the diversity of species throughout the park.
To boost the survival rate of bats,
Parks Canada is working with its partners and with researchers to find solutions to white-nose syndrome.
There are many things you can do at home to help protect these endangered species.
When maintaining your land, take care to preserve important habitat features for bats,
such as waterholes, edges, forests and dead trees.
You can also build or purchase a bat shelter and install on your own property.
You can also build or purchase a bat shelter and install on your own property.
However, be sure to follow https://batwatch.ca recommendations,
which will give you all the details on where to install it and how to build it.
Avoid using pesticides,
minimize light pollution.
They will repay you by reducing the biting insect population on your property.
If you see many bats, please let us know at https://batwatch.ca.
This site enables researchers to track bat populations across Canada.
Finally, make your friends and family aware of the precarious situation of bats,
and the importance they play in ecosystems,
and share this video!
Bank swallow
Bank swallow in flight
The Bank swallow is listed as a species at risk. It is a small brown-and-white insect-eating bird. In flight, it can be distinguished from other swallow species by its rapid, irregular wingbeats and its characteristic almost constant buzzing chatter.
Bank swallows nest in burrows that they excavate in eroding vertical banks. The best time to observe them is in early July, when adults make frequent trips back and forth to feed their nestlings.
The species is primarily threatened by habitat loss caused by coastal erosion and by declines in flying insect populations associated with widespread pesticide use.
Because they are sensitive to pollution and coastal erosion, Bank Swallows are important indicators of the health of coastal ecosystems, which are especially significant in the Gaspé region. Studying them and protecting their habitat benefits all of us.
Harlequin duck
Harlequin duck
The Harlequin duck is designated as a species at risk. This diving duck is known for its striking breeding plumage. Adult males are recognized by their slate-blue colouring, rusty-brown patches on the wings, and distinctive white markings on the head and body. Females display similar white markings, but their plumage is mainly shades of brown and grey.
For the Harlequin duck, Forillon serves as a spring migration stopover, as well as a moulting and summering area. The species is usually observed along rocky shorelines where waters are shallow and turbulent, particularly between Cap-des-Rosiers and Cap-Gaspé. May is the ideal time to admire these birds in breeding plumage.
There is encouraging news: since hunting of Harlequin Ducks was prohibited in 1990, the population has increased. Counts conducted in recent years show an annual increase of approximately 3% in the number of birds present at Forillon during the moulting period.
This little duck is a remarkable example of resilience. Adapted to Arctic environments and rough seas, it travels impressive distances to reach our shores each spring. Its beauty goes far beyond its plumage.
Migratory birds under surveillance at Forillon National Park
This short video focuses on the Bank Swallow and the Harlequin Duck. Learn more about their habitat, the threats they face, and the measures Parks Canada is taking to protect them. You will also discover simple actions you can take to support their recovery. After all, protecting species at risk is everyone's responsibility.
Transcript
More than 200 bird species nest in or pass through Forillon National Park every year. Many of these are on the endangered species list.
This is the case for the harlequin duck, a species of “special concern”, and the bank swallow, a “threatened” species.
The bank swallow is a small white and brown insectivorous bird. In flight, it can be distinguished from other swallows by its rapid, irregular flight. Its song is a constant, buzzing chirp.
The harlequin duck has a magnificent breeding plumage. In May, males are slate blue and rusty-coloured, while females are brown and grey. However, they both have characteristic white spots on their heads.
Bank swallows nest in burrows dug in eroding banks. The best time to see them in the park is in early July, when they are active and feeding their young.
For the harlequin duck, Forillon National Park is a spring migratory staging area as well as a moulting and summering ground. One can easily see them on the turbulent coastal waters. In fact, they can be seen in the northern area of the park, between Cap-des-Rosiers and Cape Gaspé.
The best time to see them is in May, when their breeding plumage is magnificent, but you can also see them between August and December.
The main threats to the bank swallow are accelerating coastal erosion and the decline in insect abundance and diversity resulting from the massive use of pesticides.
For the harlequin duck, the main threat has long been hunting. However, since it was banned in 1990, the population has increased. Even so, as harlequin ducks mix with other species, accidental hunting remains a threat.
Every year, the Forillon National Park conservation team carries out counts to monitor the state of the populations in the park.
By protecting the habitat of harlequin ducks and bank swallows, and minimizing disturbance to these species, Forillon National Park contributes to their recovery by providing a refuge.
To participate in the recovery of these species and improve our knowledge of them, you can share your observations on the eBird citizen science website at ebird.org.
To minimize disturbance, try to keep a respectable distance when observing these species in their habitats.
Inform your friends and family about the conditions of these species so they can recognize and better protect them.
Share this video and learn more about the species at risk in your area.
Arctic-alpine plants
Quebec rockcress
Forillon National Park is home to approximately 45 species of arctic-alpine plants. These species likely became established on the park's cliffs following the retreat of glaciers about 10,000 years ago.
Some of these plants are listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as species at risk. This is the case for Quebec rockcress, which is listed as Endangered, and Wedge-seeded draba, which is listed as species at risk. Both species are endemic to Quebec and the Maritime provinces, meaning they grow nowhere else in the world.
Only five subpopulations of Quebec rockcress are believed to remain in the Lower St. Lawrence region and Gaspésie, including one in Forillon. A calcicolous species, it grows on limestone escarpments and cliffs in the park's north area, such as Mount Saint-Alban.
Wedge-seeded draba, meanwhile, takes root on the tops of cliffs in the park's south area, in areas inaccessible to visitors. Although approximately 80% of the global population occurs on Bonaventure Island near Percé, Forillon supports a significant population of this species.
These cliff-dwelling plants, though delicate in appearance, are remarkably resilient. I like to think that people who care deeply about biodiversity, which has been steadily eroding in recent years, can draw inspiration from them.
Arctic-alpine plants under surveillance at Forillon National Park
This short video highlights two arctic-alpine plant species found at Forillon: Quebec rockcress and Wedge-seeded draba. Discover more about their habitat, the threats they face, and Parks Canada's efforts to ensure their conservation. Learn how you can also contribute to their recovery. After all, protecting species at risk is everyone's responsibility.
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Transcript
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