Latest news with #baldEagles
CTV News
12-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Northern Ont. residents fight to save bald eagle nest from development
Callander residents rally to protect a nesting bald eagle family as the municipality plans waterfront development. Eric Taschner has the latest. Callander residents rally to safeguard a family of bald eagles as the municipality moves forward with development plans near their nesting site. 'They are a symbol': Residents rally to protect eagles A Callander woman is leading the charge to protect a family of bald eagles whose nest is at risk due to proposed waterfront development. Janis Reed has launched an online petition, gathering over 1,200 signatures, urging the municipality to reconsider relocating the eagles' nest – a towering pine tree that has been their home since 2018. Eagle Pete & Paulie sign A pair of bald eagles, that the locals affectionately call Pete & Paulie, have called a pine tree in Callander, Ont., home since 2018. A sign erected to in the area of the tree is shown in this photo. July 11, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) 'They are a symbol, both the tree and the eagles, of local heritage. They're a connection to the natural world,' Reed said as she gazed up at the nest. The eagles, known to produce two to three eaglets each year, have become a beloved part of the community and a draw for tourists and birdwatchers. Municipality's development plan sparks concern The 3.4-acre property, owned by the municipality since 2012, is slated for residential and public development under the working title Waterfront Place. Plans include a civic library, green space, and trails, with construction expected to begin next year. However, the eagles' nest sits directly in the proposed development zone. Callander Bay A view of Callander Bay, where a proposed municipal development threats a nest of bald eagles. July 11, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) Mayor Robb Noon explained that while the municipality is exploring options to minimize disruption, the tree may need to be removed. 'As we move forward with the development here, the intention is the first part of the development is all going to be down at the front,' Noon said. The town is consulting with the Ministry of Natural Resources about building a nesting platform 100 feet from the current site. 'We're looking at those options, and that's part of that MNR report that's going to be coming in,' Noon said. 'We don't like cutting trees down. So, if we can accommodate, we'll accommodate it.' Callander Bald Eagle A familyof bald eagles have called a pine tree in Callander, Ont., home since 2018. July 11, 2025. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) Experts warn against nest disruption While bald eagles were removed from Ontario's Species at Risk list in 2023 due to population recovery, local birdwatchers argue that disturbing this nesting pair could have lasting consequences. Grant McKercher, who has documented the eagles since 2019, told CTV News that the parents remain in the area year-round, unlike many eagles that migrate south. Grant McKercher Grant McKercher, a resident of Callander, Ont., has documented a bald eagle family that calls the community home since since 2019. He is shown on July 11, 2025, looking up to take a photo of the birds. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) 'The young ones will leave, but the parents stay here. They stay here all year long,' he said. 'They actually continue to use the nest. They rebuild and refurbish the nest during the winter.' McKercher also noted that if relocation is necessary, the best time would be after the eaglets leave – but even then, removing the nest could severely disrupt their habitat. Reed fears that if the eagles feel unsafe, they may abandon the area entirely. She also emphasized their ecological importance, stating, 'They have successfully raised two to three eaglets per year, compared to a provincial average of 0.5 eaglets per year. Disturbing them would negatively impact the recovery of the species.' Janis Reed Janis Reed (left) has launched an online petition to urge the Municipality of Callander to reconsider moving a local eagles' nest. A pair of the birds have called a towering pine tree in the area home since 2018. She is shown on July 11, 2025, looking up at the nest. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) As the debate continues, the community remains divided between progress and preservation, with many hoping for a solution that protects both the eagles and Callander's future development.
Fast Company
08-07-2025
- General
- Fast Company
What's more American than Big Bear's famous bald eagles? Maybe protecting them from fireworks
There's nothing more American than fireworks, the Fourth of July, and bald eagles. Unfortunately the combination of the first two elements is stressful for all wildlife, including the internet-famous bald eagle family of Big Bear, California: Jackie and Shadow, and their daughters, Sunny and Gizmo. Ahead of the big holiday last week, Friends of the Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), the nonprofit organization behind the live-streamed web cameras that have turned these birds into superstars, attempted to present evidence to the city about the harmful impact that fireworks have on nature. However, the fireworks display went forward nonetheless, to the dismay of many of the eagles' fans. Here's a recap and what to know about the controversy. A pre-show warning about fireworks In 2023, FOBBV created a presentation outlining the many negative impacts of fireworks ahead of a Memorial Day show. The loud noises of the nighttime spectacle cause the eagles to enter fight-or-flight mode and fly off into the night. Eagles do not have great nighttime vision and risk injury when they flee a scene in such a way. In 2019, for instance, Jackie and Shadow left their chick Simba unprotected and without food for the night because they were scared. In 2022, Jackie and Shadow left the area for 6 days. 'We have noticed that Jackie and Shadow fly off each year with the fireworks, we have them on camera,' said Sandy Steers, executive director of FOBBV, according to local station ABC7. Fast Company reached out to FOBBV for further comment. A problem for animal life more broadly Bald Eagles are not the only animals impacted by fireworks. Other local birds become disoriented and some even have heart attacks and die. Mammals have been known to run into busy roadways. Pets such as dogs and cats also suffer, often becoming lost in all the chaos. Beyond their impact on animals, fireworks pollute the environment. Toxic substances such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and strontium negatively impact air quality. Perchlorates, a chemical compound that acts as an oxidizer, are highly water soluble, which means they can contaminate lakes. The soil and plant life are also at risk from debris. For all these reasons and more, FOBBV urged the city to find a creative alternative, such as a block party, drone show, and/or light show. How did Jackie and Shadow react to the fireworks? As anticipated, Jackie and Shadow were not too happy about this year's firework display. They followed their typical nighttime routine, roosting around 8 p.m. local time. They appeared ready for sleep at around 8:30 but were rudely awoken instead around 9 by the bangs of fireworks. One eagle flew away immediately. Jackie made several vocalizations to express her displeasure and warn others about danger. Both eagles were gone by 9:18. The good news is, Jackie and Shadow were spotted on camera the next evening, safe and sound. What about Sunny and Gizmo? Jackie and Shadow's daughters are more of a mystery. They have not been seen since June 27, before the fireworks display. But this is normal behavior as the girls have been testing their limits and trying to decide where to settle down. It is quite possible they were further away from the show, but the organization still worries about the impact the fireworks had on the young birds. What have the organizers of the fireworks said about this? Visit Big Bear, a city-affiliated group that was involved in the fireworks, defended the decision to put on the display, according to the Los Angeles Times, saying it did not believe it would disrupt the eagles' habitat. Fast Company has reached out to the group for additional comment. What have fans of the eagle family said? Many are not happy. A petition calling for the cancellation of the fireworks had attracted more than 40,000 signatures over the course of several days. Even though the petition didn't stop the fireworks from happening, organizers wrote that they were happy to have spread awareness about the issue. However, amid the widespread criticism, some supporters of the eagles are also urging for calm. In a Facebook post on Thursday, FOBBV noted that some critics of the fireworks had been 'aggressive with agencies and their employees' and had taken to cyber-bullying tactics and even posted people's personal information. FOBBV said it condemn such behavior. 'It's time to be kind!' the group wrote.
CBS News
07-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Big Bear's eagles Jackie and Shadow return to their nest after Fourth of July fireworks
Big Bear eagles Jackie and Shadow made it back to their nest after the Fourth of July fireworks display sent them away. The Friends of Big Bear Valley posted on their blog that the parents returned to one of their favorite trees on Sunday after flying away during the Fourth of July fireworks. Big Bear Lake had its annual Fourth of July fireworks display which the Friends of Big Bear Valley said often scare wildlife and cause them to leave their homes. They said the day after the display was "quite eerie." The blog said one of the eagles flew by around 5:30p p.m. and then just after 7 p.m. Shadow flew over and landed in the Twin Pine tree and a few minutes later Jackie arrived "with a lovely vocal greeting." Friends of Big Bear Valley have been more concerned for Jackie and Shadow eaglets, Sunny and Gizmo, who fledged at the beginning of June. Since the eaglets have not been exposed to loud noises for a long period of time they might flee the Big Bear area. "It's a wait-and-see as it is still uncertain if they remain in the Big Bear area, but along with these youngsters, there was also concern for all wildlife as well," Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote. The live web cameras have captured images of other animals in the area, but Friends of Big Bear Valley said Jackie and Shadow are the only known nesting pair of bald eagles, "who have been together there year-round since mid-2018."
CTV News
27-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘We regularly see eagles': Eagle sightings on the rise in Winnipeg
CTV's Joseph Bernacki has more on why bald eagles are showing up more within Winnipeg city limits. CTV's Joseph Bernacki has more on why bald eagles are showing up more within Winnipeg city limits. Winnipeggers are using their eagle eyes to spot birds of prey soaring in the sky. 'We live a half block from the Assiniboine River and we regularly see eagles,' said Naomi Gerrard, a bald eagle researcher who has used the bird as an inspiration for her art. 'One day I was working in my studio upstairs and I looked out and there was an eagle. Just flew in, landed on the tree right outside my studio, which was just awesome.' Jon Gerrard, who also researches the birds of prey, said he began banding bald eagles in 1968 to find out where they're migrating — a project that continues to this day. The couple travels to northern Saskatchewan every summer, where they study a large bald eagle population. The birds are a common sight in rural areas, but their migration has changed over time. 'Back in the 1960s, there were no bald eagles breeding in or around Winnipeg, and now there are,' said Jon. Barret Miller, manager of programs and education at Assiniboine Park Conservancy, said that pesticides previously used in agriculture reduced the number of bald eagles but added that the population has since bounced back. 'Eagles have made a really great comeback because the habitat conditions were proper here in Manitoba,' said Miller. 'They had some legal protection for their nesting areas to the point where we do see them along Wellington Crescent and down in Saint Norbert.' Public sightings of bald eagles have taken place in numerous areas across the city, including at Polo Park, the University of Manitoba, Henderson Highway and Sisler High School.
CTV News
27-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
More eagles in Winnipeg city limits
Winnipeg Watch CTV's Joseph Bernacki has more on why bald eagles are showing up more within Winnipeg city limits.
