Known for their striking looks, one of North America’s largest birds of prey is becoming more common in places like Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto, and other areas across southern Ontario.
The bald eagle, easily recognizable and capable of living over 30 years, has long been a rare sight in the skies above Mississauga and beyond.
However, local conservation officials report that things are changing.
“Bald eagles are a conservation success story in the Credit River Watershed,” Credit Valley Conservation officials mentioned last week. “Once uncommon due to habitat destruction and pollution, these magnificent birds have made a comeback as water quality has improved and fish populations have grown-clearly indicating a healthier watershed.”
Credit Valley Conservation is dedicated to protecting, restoring, and enhancing the watershed area encompassing Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Halton Hills, and Orangeville-all part of the Credit River system that flows into Lake Ontario at Port Credit in Mississauga.
Bald eagles can be found all across most of North America. Within the Credit River Watershed, they’re often seen in Mississauga near Lake Ontario or along the river due to their love for water.
“Despite their name, bald eagles aren’t actually bald. Their white-feathered heads stand out against their dark-brown bodies and wings,” CVC explained earlier about this iconic bird that symbolizes the United States.
CVC noted that some bald eagles stay in one area year-round while others migrate. The best months for spotting migratory bald eagles in southern Ontario are September and October.
The conservation authority also pointed out that nesting sites for bald eagles have been recorded near Port Credit recently and confirmed in Hamilton, Toronto, Oakville, among other spots around the Greater Toronto Area.
CVC identified several factors that may have helped increase the local bald eagle population:
the banning of DDT pesticide in Canada back in 1985 habitat restoration along with better water quality protection of green spaces, forests and wetlands legal protection under the Endangered Species Act in Ontario
“Populations increased and remained stable thanks to these conservation efforts to a point where they were removed from the Ontario Endangered Species Act in 2023,” CVC shared previously.
(Cover photo: Credit Valley Conservation X)
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“Despite their name, bald eagles aren’t actually bald. Their white-feathered heads stand out against their dark-brown bodies and wings,” CVC explained earlier about this iconic bird that symbolizes the United States.
CVC noted that some bald eagles stay in one area year-round while others migrate. The best months for spotting migratory bald eagles in southern Ontario are September and October.
The conservation authority also pointed out that nesting sites for bald eagles have been recorded near Port Credit recently and confirmed in Hamilton, Toronto, Oakville, among other spots around the Greater Toronto Area.
CVC identified several factors that may have helped increase the local bald eagle population:
the banning of DDT pesticide in Canada back in 1985 habitat restoration along with better water quality protection of green spaces, forests and wetlands legal protection under the Endangered Species Act in Ontario
“Populations increased and remained stable thanks to these conservation efforts to a point where they were removed from the Ontario Endangered Species Act in 2023,” CVC shared previously.
(Cover photo: Credit Valley Conservation X)
INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 31,927 Votes
All Time: 1,254,552 Votes
364 VOTES
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