A Strange Start to the 2023 Season…

But it is equally important to chronicle our days when whales are few in number, scattered and difficult to find. Ever since the fin whale Bp920 and the famous humpback Tic Tac Toe were sighted, it’s been very calm off the coasts of our villages…

Large whales are absent for the time being. Minke whales are scarce and sometimes we can go several days without encountering any. A few groups of harbour porpoises can be seen here and there. Obviously, belugas, which never leave the St. Lawrence and their favourite stomping grounds, are also present and can be observed from afar.

Grey seals are still very few in number. A few harp seals are still gracing us with their presence. In a few days they will be heading north. Evidently there are harbour seals, which, like belugas, reside here year-round, that can be seen in the fjord and the mouth of the Saguenay, often resting on the rocks in resting or “drying” mode.

Even in terms of seabirds, this spring has been atypical: low numbers of Bonaparte’s gulls and especially migratory terns (arctic and common) compared to previous years, while one species that is usually somewhat harder to find here has shown a strong and unexpected presence: the red-throated loon. These loons have been everywhere in the Lower Estuary this season! A bit like razorbills and common murres, which have never been so omnipresent here. On the other hand, black guillemots are less numerous.

In short, yes, it’s been a very remarkable spring. Should we be worried about our great river? Once again, time will tell (and probably sooner than later).