Sunday, July 31, 2011

Sightings for Saturday July 30th

Pointe de Yamachiche: I saw several ducks, cormorants, Great Blue Heron as well as: Osprey 1, Bald Eagle 1, Semipalmated Plover 6, Plover 1, Greater 1, Lesser Yellowlegs 14, Solitary Sandpiper 3, Spotted Sandpiper 4 (breeding), Least sandpiper, 12, Bonaparte's Gull 3, Ring-billed Gull 450, Herring Gull 1, Great black-backed Gull 20, Common Tern 3, Black Tern 5, Belted Kingfisher 2
Many warblers and sparrows on the path to the tip. As well as a beautiful family of Great Crested Flycatcher.

The water level is low enough to see a large part of the beach that was submerged in the spring.

Friday, July 22, a Whimbrel was at the forefront as two Caspian Terns.

j'ai observé plusieurs canards, cormorans, Grands Hérons de même que: Balbuzard pêcheur 1,
Pygargue à tête blanche 1, Pluvier semipalmé 6, Pluvier argenté 1, Grand Chevalier 1, Petit Chevalier 14, Chevalier solitaire 3, Chevalier grivel, 4 (nicheurs), Bécasseau minuscule 12, Mouette de Bonaparte 3, Goéland à bec cerclé 450, Goéland argenté 1, Goéland marin 20, Sterne pierregarin 3, Guifette noire 5, Martin-pêcheur 2


Aussi plusieurs parulines et bruants sur le chemin qui mène à la pointe, de même qu'une belle famille de Tyrans huppés.


Le niveau de l'eau est suffisamment bas pour découvrir une vaste partie de la plage qui était submergée ce printemps.


Vendredi 22 juillet, un Courlis corlieu se trouvait à la pointe de même que  deux Sternes caspiennes. - Micheline Bisson

Bird Protection Quebec's -"Summer Series" - Trip #6 Report

11 birders attended today's field trip that took us to 3 separate destinations; Ste-Brigide-d'Iberville, the Ruisseau Hazen in Iberville; and St-Bernard-de-Lacolle. The weather was great throughout the morning and early afternoon; sunny with cloudy periods and a nice breeze to keep the humidity down.

Our first target bird of the day was the Eurasian Collared Dove which obliged us beyond imagine. As we pulled up to the intersection of rue Principale and Martel in Ste-Brigide, a dove was perched on a Hydro line directly opposite the small lot which we parked it. Could it be this easy? Yes, the Eurasian Collared Dove sat there for a good 10 minutes or so before finally flying off, giving us all good binocular and scope views, as well as a photo op.

We then drove on to Iberville, QC, to the Ruisseau Hazen, a small stream that winds through a narrow forest parallel to railway tracks that divide Iberville into two sections. Our targets here were the Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Carolina Wren. We struck out on the Cuckoo, but no less that 3 Carolina Wren appeared, on in particular putting on quite a vocal and visual display for us. Everyone enjoyed exploring this unique little piece of birding territory, many of the participants for the first time. It's definitely a location that deserves more exploration at various times of the year.

We then drove about 30 minutes southwest to St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, west of Highway 15 and just a little north of the U.S. border, between Lacolle and Hemmingford. Several birders have spotted Upland Sandpipers in two different locations in this region over the last few weeks. Today however this species eluded us.

Overall though a very nice day of birding with all locations well within a one-hour drive from Montreal. We wrapped up the day with 42 species with the obvious highlights being the Dove and the Carolinas. Here is our list for the day.

Mallard 1, Great Blue Heron 3, Turkey Vulture 1, Bald Eagle 1 (immature), Northern Harrier 1, Merlin 1, Killdeer 4, Ring-billed Gull 4, Rock Pigeon 15, Mourning Dove 20, Eurasian Collared Dove 1, Chimney Swift 9, Downy Woodpecker 3, Northern Flicker 1, Eastern Phoebe 1, Eastern Kingbird 1, Warbling Vireo 2, Philadelphia Vireo 1, Blue Jay 10, American Crow 20, Common Raven 1, Tree Swallow 500+, Barn Swallow 50, Black-capped Chickadee 6, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, Carolina Wren 3, House Wren 2, American Robin 25, Gray Catbird 2, European Starling 100+, Cedar Waxwing 20, Yellow Warbler 1, feeding a young Cowbird!), American Redstart 1, Common Yellowthroat 1, Chipping Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 20, Northern Cardinal 4, Red-winged Blackbird 12, Common Grackle 1, Brown-headed Cowbird 1 (see above), American Goldfinch 20, House Sparrow 6

Canard colvert 1, Grand Héron 3, Urubu à tête rouge 1, Pygargue à tête blanche 1 (immatures), Busard Saint-Martin 1, Faucon émerillon 1, Pluvier kildir  4, Goéland à bec cerclé 4, Pigeon biset 15, Tourterelle triste 20, Tourterelle turque 1, Martinet ramoneur 9, Pic mineur 3, Pic flaboyant 1, Moucherolle phébi 1, Tyran tritri 1, Viréo 2, Viréo de Philadelphie 1, Geai bleue10, Corneille d'Amérique 20, Grand corbeau 1, Hirondelle bicolore 500 +, Hirondelle rustique 50, Mésange à tête noire 6, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 1, Troglodyte de Caroline 3, Troglodyte familier 2,Merle d'Amérique 25, Moqueur chat 2, Étourneau sansonnet 100 +, Jaseur d'Amérique 20, Paruline jaune 1, Paruline flamboyante 1, Paruline masquée 1, Bruant 1 familier, Bruant chanteur 20, Cardinal rouge 4, Carouge à épaulettes 12, Quiscale bronzé 1, Vacher à tête brune 1, Chardonneret jaune 20, Moineau domestique 6
Just a note to let everyone know that next week's outing will be on Sunday rather than Saturday due to a work committment on my part. - Sheldon

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Summer Series of Birding 2011 - Trip #6

Saturday, July 30, 2011

8 am - Half-day (maybe longer!)
MEETING PLACE: Zellers Parking Lot, Place Portobello, Taschereau Blvd. just off the Taschereau Blvd. exit from the Champlain Bridge.

This Saturday we'll be heading out to attempt to track down a few special birds that have been appearing in the regions of Ste-Brigide-d'Iberville (Eurasian Collared-Doves), and around the Ruisseau Hazen in Iberville, QC (Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Carolina Wren), a little east of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. These locations are approximately 30 minutes east of the Champlain Bridge. In addition, we will explore some other birding areas in the region. The trip will incorporate both driving and walking.

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS: From Montreal, take the Champlain Bridge to Exit 8 (Taschereau Blvd.). Stay to the right on the exit then turn right on Taschereau Blvd. Zeller's will be immediately on your right.

ITINERARY: We will drive in convoy from the meeting spot to Ste-Brigide-d'Iberville where the Eurasian Collared-Doves are being seen regularly. We will check out the surrounding area (farm fields, etc.) for other birds. We will then move on to the Ruisseau Hazen in Iberville, QC. This area has walking trails that follow the creek through wooded areas adjacent to a local park. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Carolina Wren have been seen in this region. There are many other bird species present in this area as well.

If you have any questions about the outing, please contact me at 450-462-1459.

If you need to reach me on Saturday morning, please call 514-637-2141. If you have two-way radios, please bring them with you in order to keep in contact while travelling from point to point.

The long-range forecast at this point for Saturday is 27 degrees and sunny. - Sheldon

Friday, July 22, 2011

Sightings for Friday July 22nd

Godmanchester, chemin Carr: 5 Upland Sandpiper , in a field of freshly cut hay

5 Maubèche des champs dans un champs de foin fraîchement coupé - Denis Collins
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Boucherville, Parc de la Frayère: Mute swan is still present east of the tower with fifty Canada geese

Cygne tuberculé était encore présent à l'est de la tour avec une cinquantaine de bernaches du Canada. - Pierre Casavant
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Quai de Rivière-Ouelle (dock) 15-16 C and foggy. High tide and long lines of algae navigate the St. Lawrence River. The wind is light from NE, and charged with the of smells of kelp and sea. Only a few ripples on the River. Two hours of observations (7:00 to 9:00) at the end of the dock. The fog is very dense and high, the birds flying low over water are clearly visible even from afar.

Here they are: Common Loon ... 3, Red-throated Loon ... 10,  Gannet ...1,  Double-crested Cormorant ... 230, Great Blue Heron  ... 1, Gadwall ... 8, Common Eider ... 5, Spotted Sandpiper ... 4, Ring-Billed Gull ... 40, Herring gull ... 4,  Great black-backed gull... 2, Razorbill ... 23, Common Murre ... 2, Black guillemot ... 1

quai de Rivière-Ouelle. 15-16 C et brumeux. La marée est haute et de longues lignes d'algues naviguent sur le fleuve St-Laurent. Le vent est léger du N-E, chargé d'odeurs de Varechs et de large. Seulement quelques ondulations sur le fleuve. 2 heures d'observations (7h00-9h00) en stationnaire au bout du quai. La brume est haute et peu dense, les oiseaux qui volent au ras de l'eau sont bien visibles même de loin.

Voici voilà: Plongeon huard ...3, Plongeon catmarin ..10, Fou de Bassan ...1, Cormoran à aigrettes ...230, Grand Héron ...1, Canard chipeau ...8, Eider à duvet ...5, Chevalier grivelé ...4, Goéland à bec cerclé ...40, Goéland argenté ...2, Goéland marin ...4, Petit Pingouin ...23, Guillemot marmette ...2, Guillemot à mirroir ...1 Jean-François Rousseau

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Sightings for Wednesday July 20th

Saint-Timothée marsh: Mallard 3, Killdeer 1, Pied-billed grebe 3, Double-crested Cormorant 2, Great Blue Heron 31, Great egret 2, Black-crowned Night-Heron 1, Northern Harrier 1, Common Moorhen 5, Killdeer 1, Spotted Sandpiper 2, Ring-billed Gull 7, Mourning Dove 2, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Belted Kingfisher 1, Downy Woodpecker 3, Northern Flicker 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 1, Eastern Kingbird 5, Warbling Vireo 4, Blue Jay 1, American Crow 3, Tree Swallow 500, Black-capped Chickadee 2, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, House Wren 1, Marsh Wren 3, American Robin 8, Gray Catbird 4, Cedar Waxwing 2, Yellow Warbler 20, Common Yellowthroat 4, Song Sparrow 16, Swamp Sparrow 3, Red-winged Blackbird 25, Common Grackle 4, Baltimore Oriole 1, American Goldfinch 2

marais de Saint-Timothée Canard colvert 3, Grebe à bec bigaré 3, Cormoran à aigrettes 2, Grand Héron 31, Grande aigrette 2, Bihoreau Héron-1, Busard Saint-Martin 1, Gallinule poule-d'eau 5, Pluvier kildir 1, Chevalier grivelé 2, Goéland à bec cerclé 7, Touterelle triste 2, Colibri à gorge rubis 1, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique 1, Pic mineur 3, Pic flaboyant 1, Pioui de l'est 1, Tyran tritri 5, Viréo mélodieux 4, Geai bleu 1, Corneille d'Amérique 3, Hirondelle bicolore 500,  Mésange à tête noire 2, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 1, Troglodyte familier 1, Troglodyte des marais 3, Merle d'Amérique 8,  Moqueur chat 4, Jaseur d'Amérique 2, Paruline jaune 20, Paruline masquée 4, Bruant chanteur 16, Bruant des marais 3, Carouge à épaulettes 25, Quiscale bronzé 4, Oriole de Baltimore 1, Chardonneret jaune 2 - Thomas Long
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St-Malachie, route Henderson: Upland Sandpiper beautiful percherd on a wire just at the edge of the road.



Maubèche des champs posée sur un fil électrique tout juste en bordure de la route. - Robin Gingras

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Sightings for Tuesday July 19th

Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, rue Pricipale (route 104) across from (en face de la) rue Martel:  (PRIVATE PROPERTY) Eurasian Collared-Dove ATTENTION, PROPRIÉTÉ PRIVÉE! (Tourterelles turques)Manon Roy

Sightings for Monday July 18th

Dundee, Réserve nationale de faune du lac Saint-François: 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. digue aux aigrettes.  Worthy of note are: Sandhill Crane (2 in flight and calling), Green Heron 3, American Bittern 2 (heard), Great Egret 4, Great Blue Heron 3, Black-billed Cuckoo (1 heard at the parking), Osprey (2 adults, 2 juveniles), Northern Harrier (1 male, 1 female), Baltimore Oriole (1 female and alarm)
14h00 à 16h30, digue aux aigrettes. Les dignes (!) de mention sont : Grue du Canada (2 en vol et en cri),  Héron vert 3, Butor d'Amérique 2 (entendus), Grande Aigrette 4, Grand Héron 3, Coulicou à bec noir (1 entendu au stationnement), Balbuzard pêcheur (2 adultes, 2 juvéniles) , Busard Saint-Martin (1 mâle, 1 femelle), Oriole de Baltimore (1 femelle) - Patrick Laniel

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sightings for Sunday July 17th

St. Timothy marsh: When I arrived, what I see is surprising, a large number of swallows resting on wires, cables, bike path, phragmite, and  trees. Here is a picture of these Swallows resting on the bike path:

Here is the list of species noted during this event: Canada Goose, mallard, Common Goldeneye, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Least Bittern (heard), Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Black-Crowned Night-Heron, Common Moorhen, Killdeer, Ring-billed Gull, Belted Kingfisher (heard), Eastern Kingbird, Warbling Vireo, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Bank Swallow, Marsh Wren (heard), American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Baltimore Oriole

marais de Saint-Timothée, ce dimanche matin. À mon arrivée, ce que je vois est surprenant, un nombre élevé d’hirondelles posées sur fils, câbles, piste cyclable, phragmite et arbres. Voici une photo de ces hirondelles posées sur la piste cyclable:

Voici la liste des espèces notées lors de cette sortie: Bernache du Canada, Canard colvert, Garrot à oeil d’or, Grèbe à bec bigarré, Cormoran à aigrettes, Petit Blongios (entendu), Grand Héron, Grande Aigrette, Bihoreau gris, Gallinule poule-d’eau, Pluvier kildir, Goéland à bec cerclé, Martin-pêcheur d’Amérique (entendu), Tyran tritri, Viréo mélodieux, Corneille d’Amérique, Hirondelle bicolore, Hirondelle de rivage, Troglodyte des marais (entendu), Merle d’Amérique, Étourneau sansonnet, Jaseur d’Amérique, Paruline jaune, Paruline noir et blanc, Paruline masquée, Bruant chanteur, Carouge à épaulettes, Quiscale bronzé, Oriole de Baltimore - Régis Fortin

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Sightings for Saturday July 16th

St. Siméon marsh: 83 Lesser yellowlegs, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 3 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 5 Short-billed Dowitcher

au marais de St. Siméon: 83 petits chevaliers, 1 tournepierre a collier, 3 bécasseaux semipalme, 5 bécassins roux. - Albini Couture

Friday, July 15, 2011

Sightings for Friday July 15th

Boucherville, Parc de la Frayère:  Mute swan is still present near the shore on the east side of the first pylon
rang Lustucru: Northern mockingbird

Parc de la Frayère: Cygne tuberculé est toujours présent près de la rive du côté est du 1er pylome -
rang Lustucru:  moqueur polyglotte - JacquesPierre Casavant Héneault,

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Sightings for Thursday July 14th

I am currently leading a tour to Newfoundland and Labrador. Today we went to view Iles des Perroquets near Lourdes de Blanc Sablon. At 16:30 Quebec time we located a flock of 40 Whimbrel (Courlis corlieu) (Numenius phaeopus) on the rocks at the shoreline near the highway - Mike Street
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Boucherville, Parc de la Frayère: Mute swan near the shore on the east side of the first pylon

Parc de la Frayère: Cygne tuberculé près de la rive du côté est du 1er pylome - Pierre Casavant

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Sightings for Tuesday July 12

Hemmingford: Upland Sandpiper along Route 202, near chemin Pleasant Valley. It has remained around 5 minutes on the wire along the road. Also, a Wild turkey was hidding from me in the ditch next to the Upland Sandpiper.

A tour in the maple woods in parc régional de Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle allowed me to hear these: Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Ovenbird, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern flicker, Black-throated green warbler, Black-throated blue warbler

A Green Heron was fishing peacefully in a small frog pond. a Red-tailed hawk was hunting in the field next to trail No. 1. Barn and Tree swallows flew over the soccer field at the search of insects, around 6:15 p.m. They were accompanied by two of Eastern Bluebirds.

Maubèche des champs en bordure de la route 202, tout près du chemin Pleasant Valley, à Hemmingford. Elle est demeurée environ 5 minutes sur le fil électrique longeant la route. Également, un Dindonneau sauvage se cachait de moi dans le fossé juste à côté de la maubèche.
 Un petit tour à l'érablière du parc régional de Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle m'a permis d'entendre ceci entre autres : Piranga écarlate, Pioui de l'Est, Paruline couronnée, Pic maculé, Pic flamboyant, Paruline à gorge noire, Paruline bleue
Un Héron vert pêchait paisiblement dans une mini mare à grenouilles vertes. Une Buse à queue rousse chassait dans le champ d'à côté du sentier no 1. Des Hirondelles rustiques et bicolores survolaient le terrain de soccer à la recherche d'insectes, vers 18h15. Elles étaient accompagnées de 2 Merlebleus de l'Est. - Patrick Laniel

Saturday, July 09, 2011

Bird Protection Quebec's -"Summer Series" - Trip #3 Report

8 birders turned up for today's summer outing starting off in Philipsburg, including a stop at the reserve, and heading east through St-Armand, Pigeon Hill to the western boundary of Frelighsburg. The morning began overcast, in the high teens and breezy but became sunny and warm as the day progressed.

As was the case two summers ago when we visited the same region, we were rewarded with an excellent count of 61 species for the day; an excellent number when you consider that we have practically no water birds.

Highlights of the day include excellent looks at some very colourful birds including Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Baltimore Orioles and Eastern Bluebirds. We had hoped to track down the Black-billed Cuckoo and Yellow-throated Vireo that had both been in the region this past week, but they did not oblige.

All in all though, a great day of birding, in a spectacularly scenic region of the province. Thanks to all who turned out. Here is our list for the day.

Mallard - 1, Wild Turkey - 1, Green Heron - 2. Turkey Vulture - 12, Red-tailed Hawk - 3, American Kestrel - 4, Ring-billed Gull - 30, Rock Pigeon - 3, Mourning Dove- 6, Chimney Swift - 2, Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 4, Downy Woodpecker- 2, Hairy Woodpecker - 2, Northern Flicker - 3, Eastern Wood-Pewee - 3, Alder Flycatcher - 1, Eastern Phoebe - 5, Great Crested Flycatcher - 2, Eastern Kingbird - 6, Warbling Vireo - 8, Red-eyed Vireo - 12, Blue Jay - 12, American Crow - 18, Common Raven - 2, Tree Swallow - 40, Barn Swallow - 24, Black-capped Chickadee - 10, Tufted Titmouse - 2, Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1, White-breasted Nuthatch - 3, House Wren - 6, Eastern Bluebird - 4, Wood Thrush - 3, American Robin - 30, Gray Catbird - 4, European Starling - 100+, Cedar Waxwing - 15, Yellow Warbler - 20, American Redstart - 5, Ovenbird - 3, Common Yellowthroat - 12, Scarlet Tanager - 3, Chipping Sparrow - 20, Savannah Sparrow - 4, Song Sparrow - 50+, Swamp Sparrow - 4, White-throated Sparrow - 2, Northern Cardinal - 6, Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2, Indigo Bunting - 2, Bobolink - 6, Red-winged Blackbird - 100+, Eastern Meadowlark - 2, Common Grackle - 25, Brown-headed Cowbird - 2, Baltimore Oriole - 4, Purple Finch - 1, House Finch - 6, American Goldfinch - 75+, House Sparrow - 15


Canard colvert - 1, Dindon sauvage - 1, Héron vert - 2, Urubu à tête rouge - 12, Buse à queue rousse - 3, Crécerelle d'Amérique - 4, Goéland à bec cerclé - 30, Pigeon biset - 3, Tourterelle triste-6, Martinet ramoneur - 2, Colibri à gorge rubis - 1, Pic maculé - 4, Pic mineur - 2, Pic chevelu - 2, Pic flamboyant - 3, Pioui de l'Est - 3, Moucherolle des aulnes - 1, Moucherolle phébi - 5, Grande Moucherolle huppé - 2, Tyran tritri - 6, Viréo mélodieux - 8, Viréo aux yeux rouges - 12, Geai bleu - 12, Corneille d'Amérique - 18, Grand Corbeau - 2, Hirondelle bicolore - 40, Hirondelle rustique - 24, Mésange à tête noire - 10, Mésange bicolore - 2, Sittelle à poitrine rousse - 1, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 3, Troglodyte familier - 6, Merlebleu de l'Est - 4, Grive des bois - 3, Merle d'Amérique - 30, Moqueur chat - 4, Étourneau sansonnet - 100 +, Jaseur d'Amérique - 15, Paruline jaune - 20, Paruline flamboyante - 5, Paruline couronnée - 3, Paruline masquée - 12, Tangara écarlate - 3, Bruant familier - 20, Bruant des prés - 4, Bruant chanteur - 50 +, Bruant des marais - 4, Bruant à gorge blanche - 2, Cardinal rouge - 6, Cardinal à poitrine rose - 2, Passerin indigo - 2, Goglu des prés - 6, Carouge à épaulettes - 100 +, Sturnelle des prés - 2, Quiscale bronzé - 25, Vacher à tête brune - 2, Oriole de Baltimore - 4, Roselin pourpré - 1, Roselin familier - 6, Chardonneret jaune - 75 +, Moineau domestique - 15 - Sheldon

Friday, July 08, 2011

Summer Series of Birding 2011 - Trip #3

Saturday, July 9

Time: 8 AM to mid-afternoon. Feel free to bring your lunch. We will take a lunch break around noon. Meeting Spot: Motel Frontiere, Highway 133, Philipsburg; BPQ Parking lot adjacent to the motel. This will be predominantly a driving trip. If you have two-way radios, please bring them along. Carpooling is also recommended, if possible.

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS: From Montreal take the Champlain Bridge, following Autoroute 10-Eastern Townships Autoroute east to exit 22. Follow Highway 35 south to St. Jean to join Highway 133. Follow Highway 133 south to Philipsburg. Continue past the flashing light in Philipsburg, just prior to the U.S. border and cross the highway at the motel Frontiere, turning in to the small BPQ parking lot adjacent to the motel to the south. From Montreal, calculate approximately 90 minutes driving time to Philipsburg.

Here is a link to a Google map for driving instructions from the Champlain Bridge to Philipsburg

ITINERARY: From the parking lot, we will head to the waterfront in Philipsburg for a look along the shoreline of Missisquoi Bay. We will then head back along ch. St. Armand, exploring part of the reserve, and then continue east towards Saint Armand, Pigeon Hill and Frelighsburg, exploring backroads between chemin St-Armand down to the U.S. border. These roads offer a mixture of wooded areas, fields and farmland.

If you have any question, please contact me by e-mail, or by telephone at 450-462-1459. On the morning of the trip please call the BPQ cellphone at 514-637-2141.
 
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