Watching for eagles in the November sky
Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles spend time in the Kawarthas
In November, with only about 10 hours of daylight per day, the sun really seems to race across the sky at this time of year. Most of the small songbirds of summer are long gone for another winter. This is often the best month to see some of the largest birds found in this part of the world.
Many large waterfowl like geese and swans catch our attention as they call out while flying overhead making their way south. Another loud giant, (and the tallest bird we see here), is the Sandhill Crane. Its distinctive calls can be heard from very far off, but it can often take a minute or more before we finally spot them in flocks numbering from a few, to a few hundred individuals high in the sky.
For the past couple of months there has also been a gradual southward movement of raptors. From late August with the passage of the first of the smaller species like Sharp-shinned Hawks, things pick up considerably as medium-sized raptors like Broad-winged Hawks become more obvious by mid-September. As October progresses, Red-tailed Hawks seem to dominate the mid-autumn sky, along with smaller numbers of Redshouldered and Rough-legged Hawks. As someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, watching the annual hawk migration is something I enjoy doing at this time of year. However, the time I most look forward to is from late October through the first half of November when eagle migration is in full swing!
Here in the Kawarthas, we are fortunate to share the landscape with the only two eagle species to occur as breeders north of Mexico - the Bald and the Golden Eagle. The first thing that comes to my mind that sets eagles apart from other birds of prey, is their great size. Imagine if you were six feet tall. An eagle standing beside you would be nearly half that height and its wingspan would be one foot greater than your outstretched arms. Eagles are by far the largest raptors here, and indeed, among the largest flying birds in the entire world.
The Bald Eagle has had an interesting past here, as indeed, in much of its range. Being nearly wiped out through the ignorant use of pesticides by humans in the mid-20th century, it has recovered dramatically in the past 30 years or so. And here in our area, at least eight territories are now known to be occupied by breeding pairs with nests.
The Golden Eagle, however, we should only expect to see here between October and April. Most are encountered as birds passing through the county on migration between about October 20 and November 10. However, a small number do in fact winter here as well, especially along the southern shield country, and northward into the Haliburton/Bancroft area. Occasionally, one or two will be seen in winter around Rice Lake as well. From late February through April, some individuals that had spent the winter further south, move back northward through our area once again as spring migrants, and our chances of seeing one increases then, as a result.
It is believed that these rare, transient birds originate from populations in extreme northern Ontario, northern and eastern Quebec (Ungava Peninsula, Gaspe` Peninsula, Anticosti Island), and Labrador. Their numbers are considered quite low here in eastern Canada, and the bird has been on Ontario's Endangered Species list for several years. The Bald Eagle was removed from said list a few years back, due to the steady increase of the provincial population.
If you happen upon an active eagle nest, please remember that a disturbed nest will often become an abandoned and failed nest! Quietly retreat and report the location to the Natural Heritage Information Centre in Peterborough. Endangered or not, Bald Eagles, (like all raptors), are still protected birds, and any kind of harassment of them and/ or their nest sites is illegal, (not to mention, an invasion of the bird's right to exist in peace).
Although I hope there would not be the same level of intentional threat towards these birds as has been the case in the past, human beings are curious, and some so much so, as to want to check out things they've never seen before. If you are very interested in watching the nesting habits of eagles, however, there are many eagle nest cams on the web where you can sit at your screen and watch the home life of these fine birds in intimate detail, and all the while, causing them no stress at all!
At this time of year, local breeding Bald Eagles stay within the area of their nests, more or less. But as access to the abundant food of summer and autumn (fish and waterfowl) dwindles, they increase their forage area considerably and also must share the countryside (and food) with other eagles that will arrive and utilize this area and its resources from November until April.
It is unclear as to how many eagles winter here annually, and there have been different estimates tossed around for some years. Based on birds reported, (including my own observations of the past 25+ years), I would make a confident guess that from forty-to-fifty eagles call the Kawarthas their winter home each year.
And Bald Eagles, (including the resident breeding pairs), would make up close to 90 per cent of this number. Goldens, even though on occasion might be seen to associate with Balds, tend to be, for the most part, loners. On the flip-side, often when we see Bald Eagles, we see several together. They are a gregarious species, especially when food is found. Fourteen is the highest number of Bald Eagles I have seen feeding together in the county at one time. The most Goldens, two.
There is consensus that one of the reasons we have so many eagles wintering here, is in large part, due to high local deer populations.
Eagles (and ravens), being incredibly aware of their surroundings, are quick to spot where wolves or coyotes have killed a deer.
In fact, they often will anticipate a kill before it even happens. I have witnessed this on a few occasions when ravens and eagles have gathered in a location where a deer is injured, weakened by starvation, or otherwise distressed. They are, in a way, like "nature's spy drones.”
They will often spend tremendous amounts of time on the wing, scanning the ground below, and covering great distances as they go. When they find an animal carcass, they will usually begin feeding shortly afterwards. When they find a living but compromised large animal like a deer or moose, they wait for those more capable (wolves) to come along and do their part and everyone eats.
With winter soon to arrive, some of the best places to see eagles in this area are north of Havelock around Belmont, Cordova, and Round Lake(s). Stoney Lake, Burleigh Falls, Buckhorn and Selwyn areas are also very good. Along the river south of Lakefield, and even over downtown Peterborough, eagles are regularly seen in winter. Petrogyphs Provincial Park and area, however, is the best-known location locally for eagle watching, and has been visited for several decades by birders hoping to see them. (In fact, it was there that I saw my first "Ontario" Bald Eagle way back in 1980!)
Now is one of the best times of the year to see eagles! Tune in next week to see Part 2 when I will offer some useful suggestions as to how you might increase your chances of seeing an eagle or two, and how to tell Bald Eagles from Golden Eagles. I will do my best to explain how to tell the ages of eagles that you might see, as well.
Until next week…
Drew Monkman, in his absence, has asked me to attach the following notice: Local Climate Change News: The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Climate Reality Hub provides free climate change presentations to the public. They offer the latest climate science and explain how green house gases are creating climate problems. The presentations provide a clear overview of steps we can take now to make a difference and work toward solutions. This includes supporting a price on carbon. If you or your organization is interested in hosting a presentation, please contact:
Kate Grierson kagrierson555@gmail.com or Guy Hanchet guy@hanchet.ca