Index

Bald Eagle
Populations in the
Great Lakes
Fact Sheet

The Southern Ontario Bald Eagle Monitoring Project, initiated in 1983, is a cooperative venture of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Canadian Wildlife Service, Bird Studies Canada, community organizations, landowners, and volunteer nest monitors. Every year, landowners and volunteer nest monitors collect valuable data on Bald Eagle nesting chronology, nesting activity and productivity, which allows biologists to monitor the health of the population.

Beginning in 1983, Bald Eagles nests were accessed, in order to better monitor the population. From 1983-1999, eaglets were weighed, measured, and banded and starting in 1990, blood and feather samples were taken to monitor levels of contaminants and heavy metals. Data collected from these field studies showed that by the mid-1990s, levels of contaminants had declined dramatically. Coincident with the decline in contaminants, the number of active nests and the number of young produced at each nest increased, and the general health of the Great Lakes Bald Eagle population improved.

Every year, the number of active territories and the number of active nests slowly increases. During the last five years, nesting productivity has stabilized at 1.4-1.5 fledglings per active nest, which is likely sufficient to maintain a stable population. Currently, most of the Bald Eagle nests in southern Ontario (59%) are located along the north shore of Lake Erie. Bald Eagles have not yet returned to the north shore of Lake Ontario, probably because of a lack of suitable habitat away from human development.

Future prospects for the recovery of Bald Eagles in southern Ontario are positive, but there are continuing concerns about the long-term viability of the population. Bald Eagles in southern Ontario appear to have shortened life spans compared to other populations. A possible explanation for the shortened life span of Great Lakes eagles could be heavy metal poisoning. In the last few years, several Bald Eagles found dead in Ontario have had elevated levels of both mercury and lead in their bodies. Long-term exposure to such contaminants can limit an eagle's reproductive capabilities, alter their behaviour, impair their foraging abilities, increase their susceptibility to disease, and even result in death. Determining whether heavy metal exposure is a long-term problem that is responsible for decreased longevity is one of the main issues that the Southern Ontario Bald Eagle Monitoring Project is now addressing.

BALD EAGLE NEST MONITORS

To date we have approximately 200 volunteers taking part in our eagle monitoring; however the more eyes we have to the sky the better. In 2004 our monitors continued to update BSC on activities, or inactivity, at previously known nesting territories and alerted us of 5 new territories, with at least 2 producing young.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

If you are not already a BSC member you can become a member by contacting us toll free at 1-888-448-BIRD. Becoming a member of Bird Studies Canada will open up a window of opportunity in the world of wild bird conservation. You will receive updates on all of our regional, national, and international programs as well as be provided with various volunteering opportunities and openings. If you are interested in Bald Eagle monitoring in your area, or you have seen an eagle in your area, please contact Jody Allair at . As an Ontario Endangered Species, Bald Eagles are also protected under the Ontario Endangered Species Act and anyone who comes across an injured or Dead Bald Eagle is instructed to contact Birds Studies Canada of their local MNR office for instructions on how they may help prior to taking it into their possession.

DONATIONS

If you are interested in making a donation to help Bald Eagles or sponsoring one of our eaglets, please contact Jody Allair (1-888-448-2473) for more information.

For more information on the Southern Ontario Bald Eagle Monitoring Program, please contact:

Jody Allair
Bird Studies Canada
PO Box 160
Port Rowan, ON
1-888-448-2473

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