Bird Protection Quebec Field Trip

Date: Saturday April 23, 2011

Time: 8:00 am
Location: Montréal, PARC JEAN DRAPEAU (ÎLE STE-HÉLÈNE & ÎLE NOTRE-DAME)
Leader: Sheldon Harvey
TELEPHONE: 450-462-1459; Cellphone on Saturday morning 514-637-2141 E-mail

From the island of Montréal, take the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. At the midway point of the bridge, take the exit for Parc Jean-Drapeau (Île-Ste-Hélène), which leads down a ramp. Stay right at the bottom of the ramp, following the one-way road that actually circles the island. Continue around the island to the Hélène-de-Champlain Restaurant. Meet in the parking lot adjacent to the restaurant, in front of the Biosphere.

NOTE: Public transit access is from the Ile-Ste-Helene Metro station. From the Metro station, walk towards the Biosphere. The parking lot where we will meet is to the left of Biosphere as you approach it from the Metro station.There is a mixture of habitats, including open waterfront on the St-Lawrence and the channel between the two islands, numerous wooded areas as well as open fields and shrubbery around the artificial lake. This will be a lengthy walking trip as we plan to explore both Île-Ste-Hélène and Île-Notre-Dame. Half day.

David Mulholland has informed me that the parking lot of the Helene-de-Champlain restaurant has now been converted to a pay parking lot, like the rest of the parking lots on the islands. I did a quick spin around the islands early this morning, at the same time confirming the parking rates for the lot. Unfortunately, the rates are quite high; $10 for one hour; $12 for 2 hours; or $15 for the day! Seeing as our field trips there usually last for about 3 to 4 hours, that means $15 for each car. Therefore I strongly recommend carpooling as much as possible for tomorrow's outing so as to share the cost. The parking lot has now been assigned a number. Look for parking lot P-10. The meters accept cash or cards. - Sheldon Harvey