Hamilton, ON, March 21, 2011 - And it’s happening. Two young bald eagles have decided to settle down on a nesting site inside Royal Botanical Gardens property at Cootes Paradise. Could this couple be the first pair of bald eagles to raise Lake Ontario’s first home grown birds in decades? Egg incubation time is 30-40 days so that question will be answered very soon.
Since 2009 these young eagles have been testing their nest building skills working on sites on both the north and south shores of Cootes Paradise marsh, always in towering white pines overlooking the water. Now they have finally reached maturity and returned to their north shore site, and all things are pointing to a historic return and environmental achievement.
“This milestone is a testament to the restoration efforts of Project Paradise,” says RBG’s Head of Natural Lands, Tys Theysmeyer. “As we bring Cootes Paradise back to the condition it was in before the 20th century, species that once called this area their home will continue to return.”
It has been a long time coming for bald eagles to once again nest on Lake Ontario’s shores. In fact, by the early 1980s, mostly as a result of widespread use of the pesticide DDT, there were only four active nests in all of the Great Lakes. That equals approximately 15 surviving birds. The species was all but locally extinct.
Nowadays, with the effects of DDT behind us — it was banned in the early 1970s — and with serious conservation efforts, the bald eagle has made a comeback. There are now 31 active nests on the Great Lakes, and another 30 on lakes north of 49th parallel. But not a single nest on Lake Ontario. Until now, we hope.
Royal Botanical Gardens has the perfect environment to convince the bald eagles to settle in and become the first breeding pair on the Canadian side of Lake Ontario. Bald eagles need at least 100 hectares of forest to nest and roost, plus an adjacent 50 hectares of wetlands to allow them to catch fish. Something that Royal Botanical Gardens provides.
Cootes Paradise Marsh has plenty of fish to feed the eagles, thanks to Project Paradise. This project included the creation of the Fishway in 1997, a barrier that eliminates invasive carp from the marsh, playing integral roles in both rehabilitation and educational programs.
Those looking for a view of the eagles can do so from Princess Point near the Fishway, or the Marshwalk Observation platform. The nest is located on the north shoreof Cootes Paradise, about 400m directly west of the Marshwalk Observation Platform, with the nest tree set in a lone pine on a ridge in the middle of the Hopkins Wood Special Protection Area.
From Princess Point (335 Longwood Rd) the nest is clearly visible, but at a distance of 2km. To get to the much closer Marshwalk Platform, start from the Arboretum (16 Old Guelph Rd.) and head west, following the Captain Cootes, Bull’s Point and Marshwalk Trails. Walking distance is about 1.5km from RBG’s Arboretum parking.
Please direct all media inquiries to:
Nick Kondrat, Manager of Communications
nkondrat@rbg.ca
