When Jules McCusker stumbled upon a bald eagle nest near his Toronto home in December, he could hardly believe what he was seeing. “The first thing that crossed my mind was that it was impossible,” said McCusker. He was astounded because he had never heard of a bald eagle nest in Toronto in the past century.
Spotting one of these iconic birds of prey in the city is already a rare occurrence, but the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) confirmed in an email to CBC Toronto that this is the first documented bald eagle nest in the city.
“It’s truly amazing,” expressed McCusker. “I mean, it’s just mind-blowing.”
Experts view this discovery as a significant moment, as bald eagles were only removed from the list of at-risk species in Ontario last year. The population of bald eagles in North America hit a low point in the 1960s, with only a few hundred nesting pairs remaining, according to environmental planning and conservation expert Michael Drescher from the University of Waterloo.
The resurgence of bald eagle nesting pairs across the continent, now estimated in the tens of thousands, is largely attributed to the ban on certain contaminants, including the insecticide DDT, which was banned in the 1970s. DDT exposure caused bald eagles to lay brittle eggs that were prone to cracking under the weight of the incubating bird.
Jon Spero, lead keeper of birds and terrestrial invertebrates at the Toronto Zoo, explains that while the number of bald eagles in southern Ontario is still lower than in previous periods, their return signifies the improved quality of water and fish in the region.
The recent discovery of the bald eagle nest in Toronto follows another pair settling in the Royal Botanical Gardens’ Cootes Paradise near Hamilton over a decade ago. The sighting of eaglets on the Canadian shoreline of Lake Ontario two years later marked the first hatch in more than 50 years.
Indigenous communities view the return of bald eagles to Ontario’s shorelines as a positive omen. Duke Redbird, an elder from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, emphasizes the cultural significance of the bald eagle, symbolizing honour, honesty, charity, and life within Indigenous traditions.
Redbird highlights that the eagle feather holds great honour among Indigenous communities and expresses hope that the newly hatched eaglets will bring joy to Toronto.
Maintaining the eagles’ habitat is crucial, especially during the nesting period. TRCA’s communications specialist, Afiya Jilani, urges residents to refrain from visiting the area to avoid disturbing the eagles. Prioritizing the welfare of the eagles during this sensitive time is essential for their continued nesting process.
This remarkable sighting of a bald eagle nest in Toronto showcases the positive effects of conservation efforts and the resilience of these majestic birds in reclaiming their historic habitats.