sparroworks

This would be a hard site not to be able to find your way to as it is the biggest of the hills sticking up from the plains to the south and east of Montreal. The bulk of the 2300 acre site is owned by McGill University who keep around half of it strictly off limits as a scientific research area while the rest is open to the public. A nominal entrance fee is levied.

The hill rises very steeply from the surrounding land and is covered with dense forest surrounding a central lake. Cliffs, especially to the north and west, make superb vantage points and equally excellent nesting sites for some very interesting raptors. It is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and of international importance. The woodland is untouched by any development and thus one of the last remnants in the area of natural climax vegetation.

Almost the entire mountain harbours a mature hardwood forest composed mainly of beeches and maples with occasional pockets of other deciduous trees or evergreens. The forest canopy forms a distinct habitat extending between 10-20 metres above the ground, where insects flourish. It also provides safe nesting, perching and feeding sites for many species of birds, as well as a playground for squirrels. Shade from the canopy profoundly affects the plants of the understorey and consequently the activities of all the animals which make their home on the forest floor.

There are a number of marvellous walking trails on the hill in summer, and trails for skiing and snowshoes in winter …. but we are here for the birds, so (note: some of the following text is adapted from McGill U's own site description) : The number of birds that are observed on Mont St-Hilaire varies with the seasons: over 130 species of birds are observed during spring migrations from the south, 101 in summer, 136 in autumn as birds migrate back south and 37 in winter.

A total of 83 species nest on the mountain.

The mountain is a well-known stopover site for canada geese. Every autumn, particularly during September and October, approximately 200 birds rest on Lac Hertel every night and fatten up on the surrounding fields during the day. Many rare bird species are found at the summits. Since 1985, a pair of peregrine falcons has nested on a cliff near Dieppe peak. Mont Saint-Hilaire is one of only ten or so peregrine nesting sites known in Québec. Conditions have to be just right, with the nesting area providing protection from wind and rain, and easy access to other birds such as pigeons, since peregrines capture their prey in the air. In recent years a Gyrfalcon has been a regular visitor.

Near this site, a pair of ravens nest in early spring. Large hawks as well as golden and bald eagles fly around the peaks in early spring, but do not nest on the mountain. Rufous-sided towhee, a rare bird in Québec, has also been sighted on the summits. Other rare sightings include the indigo bunting and cerulean warbler. In addition, at least two pairs of turkey vultures nest in caverns created by rock-falls. Approximately 10 - 20 individuals gather and swoop through the warm air currents at the higher altitudes during the summer. The red-shouldered hawk, listed as vulnerable in Québec, and the barred owl, are found in the forest.

There are at least two couples of barred owls that reside on the mountain year round and feed on small mammals and amphibians. Three species of woodpecker, the downy, hairy and pileated, are common in areas with larger trees. Migratory insectivorous birds such as the yellow-bellied sapsucker and the northern flicker are also common. Black-capped chickadees are common in coniferous trees and the ruffed grouse is found rummaging in the forest litter. As you can see - it's a place well worth the effort of going to …… but, life isn't all birds and there are plenty of other things to look at. For example, red and grey squirrels are the most common small mammals here but inhabit completely different areas: the red squirrel inhabits coniferous trees and eats pine cones while the grey squirrel favours the nuts of the beech, oak and maple groves.

Two dozen deer live around the base of the mountain and forage on the vegetation on the east side towards Sainte-Madeleine. They especially enjoy cedar hedges and trees are often defoliated to the 2.5 - 3 metre level. A handful of active dens of the red fox have been found. Other predators include two species of weasel, the mink and the ermine. The most common hibernating mammals to be found are the chipmunk and the raccoon. Although groundhogs are common in the banks of open areas such as the meadow they are capable of burrowing anywhere. The porcupine, common in the hemlock groves, does not hibernate and can be seen year round. Rabbits are also active year-round in open meadow areas, and snowshoe hares frequent the higher slopes. There's some interesting botany here as well - Mont St-Hilaire contains 551 different taxa of plants. Of which, 34 are trees, 65 are shrubs, 6 are lianas, and 421 are herbs. 23 species are more or less restricted to aquatic environments. The largest family represented is the Compositae (11%), followed by Rosacae (7%), Cyperaceae (7%), Graminae (7%). The ferns, including members of three families, number 38 species (6%). Mont St-Hilaire occupies a central location between the Northern Conifer-Hardwood/Northern Conifer regions of eastern N.A and the boreal forest further north. The most common plants in the understorey and highly visible in the early spring when they flower include the moccasin flower, yellow lady's slipper, the trillium and the wood violets. In late summer the marsh-touch-me-not or jewelweed are very common in the wetter areas. Finally, 248 Lichen and Moss taxa are found on Mont St-Hilaire.