2 minute read
Building Nests for Eagles
Ξ British Columbia, Canada
Monitoring and building mitigation nests for Bald Eagles and other raptors
By MYLES LAMONT
Anthropogenic pressures within the Lower Fraser River Valley are reducing the number of available nest and perching trees for large raptors across the south coast of British Columbia. Additionally, large raptors have been increasing since bounties ended in the 1950s, resulting in increased numbers of human-raptor conflict.
David Hancock started monitoring Bald Eagles in the Fraser Valley in the 1960s and continues to do so today with the support of The Hancock Wildlife Foundation. Over 400 known Bald Eagle nests are monitored across the Fraser Valley. These are checked annually and entered into our database.
Our nest mitigation projects began initially by requests to replace and reinforce existing Bald Eagle nests that were subject to fall apart or had been blown out of trees during wind storms.
The provision of artificial, alternative nest sites through the modification of existing trees and installation of platform towers has been undertaken since 2007.
Myles Lamont is using non-invasive climbing techniques to monitor and build raptor nests in tree canopies.
Photo credit: Myles Lamont
Mitigation projects involving the construction of alternate nest sites in tree canopies is done using cranes or noninvasive climbing methods. We identify areas with veteran trees suitable for supporting large raptor nests and located in areas with good forage habitat. We then provide replacement or alternative nest sites for raptors that have been disturbed or expelled from existing territories through development, nest tree removal or natural blow down.
Acceptance of our alternate nest sites by Bald Eagles has been remarkably high
To date, the acceptance of our modified nest trees by Bald Eagles has been remarkably high and are often adopted only days after birds arrive back on territories after migration.
Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring and Mitigation in BC is a partnership of The Hancock Wildlife Foundation, the provincial Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resources, municipal governments, consultants, developers and private land owners.
Myles, in association with The Hancock Wildlife Foundation, has been involved with the development and construction of raptor mitigation nests, particularly for Bald Eagles, since 2007.
Myles using non-invasive climbing techniques to monitor and build raptor nests in tree canopies.
Photo credit: Myles Lamont
Myles Lamont is a biologist based in British Columbia, Canada. Connect with him on Instagram @canadianbiologist or Twitter @canuckbiologist and his website www.terrafauna.ca
Learn more about bald eagle nest monitoring and mitigation at www.hancockwildlife.org
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