report - Stanley Park Ecology Society

Stanley Park Ecology Society has monitored bald eagle nests during the breeding and
fledging seasons throughout Vancouver with the assistance of volunteer monitors and
in partnership with the Lower Mainland Wildlife Tree Stewardship program (WiTS) since
2004. Eagle numbers in Vancouver have increased since the 1960’s when there were
only one or two pairs (Hancock, 2006), demonstrating that some eagles are adapting to
urban environments.
While 2013 was not a stellar year for eagles, a new nest in Stanley Park near Third
Beach deceived monitors into thinking that the nesting pair at Merilees Trail had
moved. However, it was soon confirmed that two separate pairs were nesting in quite
close proximity (see bald eagle nest map on page 8).
Results of 2013 Monitoring
Of the seventeen nests observed in 2013, twelve nests were active, meaning at some
point in the season they had a breeding pair of eagles on the nest. Of those twelve
nests, nine were successful, having at least one chick fledge (depart from the nest)
successfully. Since 2007, the number of active nests has remained relatively stable year
to year, and the same goes for the number of successful nests (Table 1). However, 2013
saw a dip in the number of fledges produced.
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Total number of
nests observed
Number of active
nests
Total number of
successful nests
Number of fledges
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
5
9
13
17
19
19
19
13
17
17
5
9
12
13
15
16
14
13
14
12
3
9
9
6
10
11
11
9
10
9
4
12
15
6
17
19
16
17
19
12
2.00
Productivity
1.50
1.00
Productivity
(# of fledges per successful nest)
0.50
0.00
Nesting success
(% of active nests that produced a
fledge)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Nesting Success
The number of fledges produced per successful nest has varied year to year but has
never exceeded two (Figure 1). In comparison 2011 and 2012 were particularly better
years for productivity (1.89 and 1.90 respectively) while 2013 saw a reduction that fell
within a normal range of previous years (1.33). However, the rate of nest success was
comparable to rates in 2011 and 2012.
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
The drop in the number of fledges produced in 2013 may be concerning, however it will
take more years to show whether this is a trend or just an anomaly.
For more detail on each nest please review the following pages.
A very special thanks to our volunteer nest monitors who make this program possible!
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Merilees Trail, Stanley Park
One chick - The Merilees eagle pair played a trick on us this year: We thought they had
moved down the trail and set up a new nest site near Third Beach, but it turns out the
Third Beach nest is a new and separate eagle pair. One chick has been spotted at the
Merilees Trail nest in the old Douglas-fir tree. This chick fledged in late July.
Strathcona Park
Two chicks - For a third year in a row,
this pair had an early start and the two
chicks were the first to fledge at the end
of June. This pair used the nest that was
built in 2012, and the chicks were in good
condition when they fledged.
Jericho Park
One chick - The eagle pair nesting in a mature Douglas-fir tree on a platform installed
by the Vancouver Park Board had some bad luck this year. One of the chicks fell from
the nest and because it broke its wing badly, the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation
Society (OWL) had to humanely euthanize it. The nesting platform was installed in 2011
because this nest has had problems falling from the tree in previous years.
Third Beach, Stanley Park
One chick – Just one has been spotted at the
new Third Beach nest. This chick fledged in
late July.
Cathedral Trail, Stanley Park
One chick – Heron feathers have been found
underneath this nest, meaning this pair is
likely preying on the eggs and chicks of the
nearby heron colony. One large chick was
spotted by volunteer monitors and was
audible in the nest until the end of July.
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Vanier Park
Two chicks - For a fourth year in a row, this nest had
seemingly produced two chicks. However, very late
in the season, after the chicks had learned to fly,
eagle monitors observed that one of the eaglets
disappeared suddenly. Hancock Wildlife Foundation
got permission from Ministry of Environment and
the help from a movie company to use a lift to take a
look in the nest. As it turned out, no deceased chicks
were found, suggesting that both had fledged
successfully.
Hastings St.
Two chicks – These eaglets fledged by mid-July. The eagle pair at this nest was
observed drinking and bathing at the small pond in Hastings Park. The nest tree is on
City of Vancouver land, at the edge of a large parking lot at the corner of Renfrew and
Hastings St.
Brockton, Stanley Park
One chick - This is the nest of the
pair of eagles which used to
occupy the nest by Malkin Bowl
in Stanley Park. In 2010 they
moved location to this site above
the Brockton Oval. One chick was
heard at the nest until late July,
suggesting a successful fledge.
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Active nests
Monument (PAC), Musqueam, Botanical. These eagle pairs have been
observed near their nest sites, but due to the low visibility of the
locations, chicks were not confirmed.
Inactive Nests
 Southlands, Kerrisdale (49th and Larch), Botanical, SW Marine (at
Angus) - These nests were active early in the season but no chicks were
produced.
 Imperial – No activity was observed
 Towers and Pandora – These nests have been inactive for several
years. It is likely that that they are secondary nests for some of the eagle
pairs.

Pipeline Road - Although active earlier in the season, this nest
seems to have fallen down.
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Wall St. (LaFarge)
One chick - This highly visible nest can be seen through a Hancock Wildlife Foundation
webcam (www.hancockwildlife.org).
“After an exceptional last year’s nesting season at Wall Street nest, when a pair of bald
eagles brought up 3 fledglings, the recent season turned out to be more modest but
nonetheless a successful nesting year. Even though it all started with the same scenario
as the previous year when 3 eaglets hatched from 3 laid eggs, only the first born was
lucky enough to make it to the sky. The laws of nature might appear cruel sometimes
but everything happens for a reason and the unfortunate deaths of 2 younger siblings
allowed the first born and the strongest chick to get as much attention and care from its
parents as was necessary to bring up a strong and a healthy individual. Thanks to the
webcam installed by Lafarge Canada Inc. and the Hancock Wildlife Foundation we were
able to monitor these precious birds of prey more intensively and witness their fight for
survival from really close distance.”
-Michal Belanik, Wall St. eagle nest volunteer monitor.
Wall St. Nesting Timeline as seen through the Hancock Wildlife Foundation webcam
(screenshots courtesy of www.hancockwildlife.org)
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Bald eagle nests and the trees they reside in are protected under Section 34 of the
Wildlife Act. If you have concerns about the safety of a nest in your area, please
contact your regional BC Ministry of Environment office.