Philipsburg Migratory Bird Sanctuary
The Philipsburg Migratory Bird Sanctuary (MBS) is located in Saint-Armand, in Québec. It preserves an important habitat for songbirds.
Importance of the sanctuary: migratory birds and other wildlife
Located on the eastern shore of Missisquoi Bay, an incursion of Lake Champlain in Quebec, Philipsburg Migratory Bird Sanctuary was established in 1955 to safeguard the many species of birds that breed within this area. This sanctuary is bounded to the south by the American border.
A sizeable array of breeding songbirds (passerines) and waterbirds live side by side within the boundaries of this sanctuary and many migratory birds stop at this site during their yearly journey. Within the more forested areas of the sanctuary the species most often spotted include:
- great horned owl
- ovenbird
- indigo bunting
- scarlet tanager
- brown thrasher
- black-billed cuckoo
- barred owl
- yellow-bellied sapsucker
- yellow-throated vireo
In recent years, Wild Turkeys have also been spotted within this protected area as have several species at risk, including the cerulean warbler and the least bittern.
Landscape
This 527-hectare protected area is vital nesting habitat for so many species in part due to fact that it encompasses a wide variety of habitats including a pond, marshland, farm fields, hills, and forests of maple, poplar and alder. The agricultural fields within the sanctuary attract bird species like killdeer and eastern bluebird, while the wetter sections of the sanctuary are attractive for green heron, wood duck and swamp sparrow.
Did you know?
Eastern bluebirds generally have more than one successful brood of chicks each year. Babies from the early broods usually leave their parents during the summer; however chicks from late broods often remain with their parents throughout the winter months as well.
Map of the area
Long description
Map showing the location of the Philipsburg Migratory Bird Sanctuary (MBS) in relation to Québec, United-States, Saint-Armand and Missisquoi Bay of Lake Champlain. Road 133 crosses the MBS from north to south. The map shows the boundaries of the refuge, which spreads est coast from the coast of Champlain's Lake towards Saint-Armand through the United-States border. The scale of the map is in kilometers. Permanent waters, international border and roads are shown on the map. An inset shows the location of the refuge in Canada.
Access to the sanctuary
Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, such as Philipsburg, are established across the country to protect migratory birds during critical periods of their migration. Whether these areas are used for feeding, resting or nesting, they play an important role in the survival of many species. Please ensure that you are aware of how you can help protect this sanctuary and please read the restrictions, including those on firearms and hunting, that are in place to conserve the wildlife that call it home. It is also important to remember that pets are not welcome inside Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.
If you would like further information on what is permitted in Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, please visit the Management and Activities section of the website. For more information on Philipsburg Migratory Bird Sanctuary in particular, please contact our regional office.
Key facts about Philipsburg Migratory Bird Sanctuary
| Protected area designation | Migratory Bird Sanctuary |
|---|---|
| Province or territory | Quebec |
| Latitude/longitude | 45° 01' 34" N 73° 04' 33" W |
| Size | 527 hectares |
| Date created (Gazetted) | 1955 |
| International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) management category | Habitat/Species Management Area (IV) |
| Additional designations | None |
| Main habitat type | Maple, poplar and alder groves |
| Key bird species | Cerulean warbler, least bittern, tufted titmouse |
| Other species | Birds: Green heron, wood duck, great horned owl, yellow-bellied sapsucker, scarlet tanager, eastern bluebird, yellow-throated vireo, brown thrasher, black-billed cuckoo and ovenbird Amphibians and reptiles: Wood frog, green frog and eastern newt, milksnake, watersnake, spotted salamander Mammals: Southern flying squirrel, woodland vole, short-tailed shrew, white-tailed deer, muskrat. |
| Listed species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) | Cerulean warbler, least bittern |
| Management agency | Canadian Wildlife Service, Quebec Region |
Related links
Philipsburg Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Google Maps (Please note that the Google map is a complementary source of information and does not represent the official map or site name.)
Contact information
Environment and Climate Change Canada – Quebec Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
Protected Areas Unit
801-1550, avenue d'Estimauville
Québec, Quebec
G1J 0C3
Toll-Free: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca
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