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Water quality in the Grand River has improved significantly over the past few decades. This is measured over time by looking at the various forms of life residing in the river. The insect population living in the river bottom and the aquatic plant life are two indicators. High nutrient levels and silt play a role in the quality of both these life forms. Controlling both unwanted nutrient and silt levels has been a major objective of governments and industry over many years. Signs that they are making progress include the improvement in the aquatic organisms living in the river. As these improve the life forms that feed on them return to the local environment. Sports fish and birds feeding on aquatic life forms return when they become more plentiful. One of the indicator birds is the Bald Eagle.
Reports of eagles being sighted in the Cambridge to Brantford area began to appear in the late 1980’s. In 1991 an eagle was reported near Doon/Blair on January 7. Since these irregular early sightings of a few individual birds the number has gradually increased until we now have a winter population of a dozen individual eagles in this reach of the Grand River. The eagle population spends the winter in this area because of the plentiful supply of fish, their primary food. The river remains open below dams and in sections where ground water influxes help keep the temperature above freezing. We believe the Brant population comes down from the far north. They are usually seen between Doon Pioneer Village and the south end of Brantford near the Cockshutt Bridge. At some point in time it is anticipated a breeding pair will decide this area fits their needs and establish a nesting site. We do have irregular reports of birds being sighted during the summer months but perched eagles are harder to spot because of the vegetation cover.
Heritage River canoe, kayak and raft trips cover the areas where birds are most often seen. By keeping a watchful eye you could be one of those to see a summer eagle. The adults have the white head and tails while birds under four are mostly dark brown with light spots along their underside. They have a flat broad wingspan as compared to turkey vultures which have a v-shaped wing form and narrower wings. They can also be confused with the Red-tailed hawk. However, the chest of the hawk is lighter and the red tail is usually visible. Both vultures and hawks are commonplace in the summer as is another fish eater, the osprey with its long narrow wingspan and black and white markings.
About the Author
Now retired, Bob Scott was the coordinator for the Exceptional Waters committee. He is an avid naturalist and still volunteers much of his time in the community. He currently heads up the Bald Eagle Monitoring Program for Brant County. This program monitors the Bald Eagles return to the Grand River watershed.
Bob also guides canoe, kayak and raft trips for Heritage River Canoe and Kayak Company. His wealth of knowledge for the area’s flora and fauna and wildlife make for an unforgettable and educational trip down the beautiful and historic Grand River.
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