j. RaptorRes.

31 (4):321-326
¸ 1997 The Raptor ResearchFoundation,Inc.

ARTIFICIAL NESTING PLATFORMS FOR BALD EAGLES IN

SOUTHERN ONTARIO, CANADA

P. HUNTER
Ministryof Natural Resources,
353 TalbotStreetWest,Aflme•,OntarioN5H 2S8 Canada

N.A. MM•ONY •
CanadianWildlifeService,
Environment
Canada,CanadaCentre for Inland Waters,P O. Box5050 Laheshore
Road,
Burlington,OntarioL 7R 4A7 Canada

PJ. EWINS
2
CanadianWildlifeService,
Environment
Canada,4905 DufferinStreet,Downsview,
OntarioM3H 5T4 Canada

389 BrockStreet,London, Ontario N6K 2M3 Canada

M. FIELD
22 Mandeville Road, St. Thomas, Ontario N5R 4H8 Canada

ABSTRACT.--We constructedartificialnestingplatformsto encouragethe return of nestingBald Eagles

(Haliaeetus
leucocephalus)to former breedingterritoriesin southernOntario, Canada.Eight platforms
were constructedin historicalbreeding territories along the north shoresof Lakes Erie and Ontario
between1988-95.Three platformsalongthe LakeErie shorelinehavebeenoccupiedbybreedingadult
Bald Eaglesand, from 1991-96, theyhavebeen the sitesof eight nestingattempts,sevenof whichwere
successful
fledging a total of 16 young.From 1994-96, the three successfulnestsaccountedfor 15.4%
of the nesting attempts in southern Ontario.
KEYWORDS: BaldEag•,,Haliaeetusleucocephalus;nesting
platforms;
southern
Ontario.

Plataformasartificialde nidar para Haliaeetusleucocephalus

ensur Ontario, Canada
RESUMEN.--Para animar el regressode Haliaeetusleucocephalus
de cria a territoriosde cria anteriomente
ensur Ontario, Canada,plataformasartificial para nidar fueron construidasy instaladas.Ocho plata-
formasfueron levantadasen territoriasde cria historicasenseguidade la playa norte del Lago Erie
fueron ocupadascon Aguilasadultosde cria. De 1991-96, los tres plataformasresultaronen ocho
intentosde nidar, sietede elloscon exito, teniendoun total de 16 pajaritos.De 1994-96, tresintentos
con exito contaronpor 15.4% de los intentosde poner ensur Ontario.
[Traducci6nde Rafil De La Garza,Jr.]

Bald Eagles (Haliaeetmleucocephalus) bred com- Baird 1995). A further decreasein this Bald Eagle
monly alongthe shorelinesof the GreatLakesof On- population began in the mid-1940swith the intro-
tario before European settlement;however,their duction of organochlorinechemicalssuch as DDT
numbersdeclinedsteadilyafter the mid-1800sdue to whichcausedseverereproductiveimpairmentsin sev-
habitat lossand persecution(Broley1952, Gerrard eral raptor species(Spitzeret al. 1978, Grier 1982,
and Bortolotti 1988, Austen et al. 1994, Hunter and Springer et al. 1984, McKeane and Weseloh 1993,
Ewinset al. 1995). Weekes (1974) estimatedthat the
I Presentaddress:
CentreforAppliedConservation Biology, breedingpopulationof Bald Eaglesin southernOn-
Facultyof Foreslxy,
270-2357Main Mall,University of British tario (southof GeorgianBaybut includingthe Bruce
Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada. Peninsula)declinedfrom approximately100 pairsin
2Presentaddress: WorldWildlifeFund,90 EglintonAv- 1950 to an estimateof 10 pairsby 1970. More rig-
enue E., Suite 504, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Z7 Canada. orouscountsof nestsin 1970recordedsix pairsin

321
322 H•3•TER ET AL. VOI•. 31, No. 4

southwesternOntario and another 1-2 pairs in the therebyprovidingeagleswith open flight pathsto nests
(Stalmaster 1987).
southeastof the province (S. Postupalskypers.
Historical records (Ontario Ministry of Natural Re-
comm.).The BaldEaglewaslistedasan endangered sources)were searchedto locate sitesfor platform in-
speciesin Ontario in 1973, and between1978-80 stallation. Interviews with local naturalist clubs and land-
countsof territorial pairsrangedfrom three (Hunter ownersgavecrucial information regarding historicaland
and Baird 1995) to six (S. Postupalsky
pers.comm.). current sites.Where a super-canopytree could not be
located,a mature tree with suitableflight accesswithin
Recoveryprojectsaimed at increasingbreeding an even-agedwoodlotwaschosenin an historicalterritory
populationsof Bald Eagleswere startedalong the Trees selectedfor platform installation had crotches
Canadian shorelines of the lower Great Lakes in the with two or preferably,three tree limbs. A suitabletree
1980s.These projectsemphasizedcooperativevol- crotch had an approximate2-m span,was estimatedto
be ableto supportat least150 kg and providedtwoflight
unteer and governmentpartnerships,and included paths, at least 2-m wide, to and from the platform ap-
populationand habitatmanagement,analysisof en- proximately1-1.5 m abovethe platform (Figs.1 and 2).
vironmental contaminantsin eggs and blood of Platformswere constructedusinga 1-m2 (outsidemea-
nestlings,and interpretive initiatives.Prefabricated surement) frame constructedof pressuretreated, all-
nesting platforms were installed in suitable habitat weather 38 X 140 mm sprucewood. In each corner, a
bracewith a 19-cmlong facewaslocatedat 45øto the 90ø
to encourageadult Bald Eaglesto nestin historical corner of the frame, leaving a 9-cm (inside measure-
territories.Platformswere specificallyinstalledin ar- ment) triangular opening. Holes were drilled every 7.6
easwhere suitable,preferred "super-canopy"trees cm around the perimeter of the box. A singlestrandof
were scarce or absent from historical territories. #8 galvanized (4 mm) wire was interwoven to form a
meshfloor of 7.6-cmsquares. The wireprovideda sturdy
Many speciesof raptors including Ospreys(Pan- basefor the nestand allowedfor drainage(Fig. 1).
dionhaliaetus),AmericanKestrels(Falcosparverius), The prefabricatedframewasmountedon 2, 3-m long
Peregrine Falcons (F. peregrinus),
Eastern Screech (or longerwhen neededin larger trees), pressuretreat-
Owls (Otus asio) and Barn Owls (Tyto alba) have ed, 38 X 1140 mm spruceplanks.Holes were predrilled
nested in or on artificial structures (Cadman et. al. into the middle of both planksat 30 cm, 60 cm and 90
cm from the plank'send. Threaded,galvanizedsteelrods
1987, Cade and Bird 1990, Ewins 1994, 1996). Ar- 90 cm in lengthwere usedto attachthe planksonto the
tificial nest structureshave been used as manage- selectedtree. The frame wassecuredto the planksusing
ment toolsin populationrecoveryprojectsfor Bald threadedrodsapproximately 72.5-cmlongthatwerebent
Eagles (Postupalsky1978, Grubb 1995), Golden into U-shapedmountingclampsapproximately32.5-cm
Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos, Postovitand Grier 1982) long and 7.5-cmwide.A steelbar measuring3 mm X 89
mm wasused as a retaining plate. Four U clampswere
and White-tailed Sea Eagles (H. albidlla,Helander used, one at each of the frame/plank interfaces.
1975).BaldEagleshavebeenoccasionally reported To prevent raccoonpredation, predator guardswere
to use a variety of artificial nest structuresinclud- attached to the trees (Fig. 2). These consistedof #14
ing wooden pallets (Dunstan and Booth 1970), sheetmetal, approximately1-1.5 m high and 3-m long
Wood screws, #8 sheet metal screws and four 2.5 cm X 5
oversized,solid-basedOspreyplatforms (Postupal- cm X I m woodstrapswere usedto attachthe predator
sky 1978, 1979), aluminum, wire-mesh baskets guard to the tree. The sheet metal waspainted an un-
(Grubb et al. 1982) and natural materials such as obtrusive brown color.

sticks(Grubb 1995, M. Shieldcastle,pers.comm.).
This paper details the design and techniques
used to locate,constructand installprefabricated,
adjustable,Bald Eagle nest platforms along the
north shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario in south-
ern Ontario, Canada.
METHODS
In the last severaldecades,most Bald Eagle nestsin
southernOntario were built in treessuchas oaks (Quer-
cusspp.), maples(Acerspp.), easterncottonwood(P0pu-
lusdeltoides),
hickorys(Caryaspp.) and whitepine (Pinus
strobus).
Nestsoccurredin either super-canopy treeswith-
•n a woodlotor in maturetreesat forestor woodlotedges
and alongfence lines.Super-canopy treeswere approxi-
mately 30% taller than the rest of the forest and had a
suitable tree crotch above the surrounding treeline,
We found that three people in the tree and two on the
ground wasthe ideal team size for installingplatforms.
The two peoplein the tree assembledthe platformand
the third personhandled and passedthe equipmentto
and from the ground crew.The plankswere securedin
a horizontal position often in the forks of brancheson
the tree trunk. If absolutelynecessary,nailswere usedto
secure the planks. Holes to fit the threaded rods were
drilled as required. The frame was located onto the
planks allowingfor two, 2-m flight paths on either side
for access to the nest.Locationsof flight pathssometimes
necessitatedoffsettingthe frame to one sideof the center
of the planksand tree crotch.The frame washorizontally
secured onto the planks. Both plank and frame struc-
tures were securedwell enough to support a climber's
weight. The remaining lengths of the mounting rods
were left to allowfor later adjustmentsas the tree grew.
The platform and adjacenttreeswere pruned to ensure
that the flight pathswere large enough.
DECEMBER
1997 ONTARIO
BALDEAGLE
PLATFORMS 323

12 cm dia. - seasoned oak

limbapprox.
1m long

# 8 galvanizedwire(4 ram)
7.6 cm on centre,eachway

1 m sq.- 38 x 140 mm(2"x6")

pressuretreated frame
with 20 cm longcornerbraces

• • 8mm
(s/•e")
dia.
threaded
rod
& 3 mm0/8")thickretaining

longcomplete
plate
32 mm(1•") widex 89 mm(3•")
withwashers& nuts
8 mm(s•e")dia.
38 x 140 mm(2"x6")
pressuretreated supports
approx.3.0 m long

threaded rod - 1 m long

complete
withwashers
& nuts
Figure 1. Bald Eaglenestingplatformshowingmeasurements
and constructiondetails.

Two oak limbswere firmly placedinto the corner tri- RESULTS

anglesof the frame to act asbuildingjoistsfor nestcon-
struction. Branchesgathered from the ground were
placedhorizontallyinsidethe nestframe,removingthe
artificialappearanceof the wirefloor andto providenat-
ural materialsfor the eaglesto perch. The predator
guardwasthen installed.The four woodstrapswerese-
curedtop and bottomto the tree trunk with one strap
in each north, east, south and west direction. The metal
sheetwasscrewedonto the woodstraps.It wasattached
at the top,middleandbottomof the sheetworkingpro-
gressivelyaroundthe trunkof the tree.The woodstraps
providedthe tree trunk with air ventilationtherebyre-
ducing the potentialfor trunk rot. Any nearbytree
branchesthat could providepredatoraccess to the nest
tree abovethe predatorguardwere removed.
Platforms wereinspected annuallyfromthe groundto
determinethe need to modifythe structure.Every2 or
3 yr weloosenedthe threadedrodsholdingtheplatform
to the tree, aswell asthe metalscrews on the predator
guard,to accommodate the naturalgrowthof the tree.
The samevisitsdeterminedthe needto furthermanage
the canopyin the vicinityof the nestplatformin order
to maintain open flight paths.
Eight Bald Eagle nesting platforms were in-
stalled along the shorelinesof Lakes Erie and On-
tario in a range of tree species(Table 1). Three
platformswere placedin occupiedterritoriesand
five in vacant, historical territories between Octo-
ber 1988-February1995.To date, three platforms
havebeenusedby adult eaglesthat attemptedto
build nests.All of theseterritorieswere occupied
by 1-2 nonbreeding eaglesat some time in the
1980s. From 1991-96, there has been a total of
eight nestingattemptson nestingplatforms.Seven
of thesehavebeen successfulfledginga total of 16
young. From 1994-96, these three platforms have
accounted for 15.4%of the nestingattemptsin the
region (Fig. 3).
Platform#1 wasoccupiedin 1990 but it did not
produceyoung that year.Between1991-95, it has
produced a total of 10 young (Table 1). In 1996,
324 HUNTEI• ET •XL. VOL. 31, No. 4

3.0mwide
flight
pathto nest 3.0
m
wide
flight
pathto nest

nestingplatform
andanticipated nest
1.0 - 1.2 m tall

predatorguard
approx.
1.5m long

Figure 2. Bald Eagle nesting platform situated in nest tree showingdimensions,flight path and predator guard.

Table 1. Locations,occupancyand success

of nestingplatformsin eight historicalBald Eagleterritoriesin southern
Ontario.

TERRITORY
ACTIVITY YEAR
PLATFORM APPROX.
HEIGHT
(m) Yv•m
PLATFORM
SITE # IN THE 1980S INSTALLED TREE SPECIES TREE PLATFORM USED

Lake Erie

I occupied 1988 shagbarkhickory 29 19 1990-1995

2 occupied 1991 white ash 27 23 1992-1994
3 occupied 1993 white pine 26 22 1994-1996
4 vacant 1993 burr oak 24 20 --
5 vacant 1994 eastern cottonwood 27 17 --

Lake Ontario

6 vacant 1994 white oak 21 13

7 vacant 1995 chinquapinoak 24 18
8 vacant 1995 white ash 20 16
DECEMBER1997 ONTARIO BALD EAGLE PLATFORMS 325

IPlafform
Nests
200
....................
.•DNatural Nestsor Non-Breeding

150

• 20

1900 1950 1970 1980 1991 1994 1995 1996

Year

Figure 3. Estimated number of Bald Eagle territorial pairs in southern Ontario 1900-96.

this territory continued to be occupied, but a new turn to vacant,historicalterritories.The three plat-
nest was built in another tree and successfully forms used by eaglesin southern Ontario were lo-
fledged two young. cated in territories already occupied by eaglesin
At platform //2, one egg was laid in 1992 but the 1980s. This suggeststhat when locating plat-
failed to hatch. Although the eaglesmade periodic forms in historical territories, successin attracting
visitsto the platform in 1993 and 1994, no young breeding eaglesmay be dependent upon the most
were raised.In 1996, a singleyoungwasraisedpre- recent occupation history of the site. Of the five
sumablyby the samepair at a natural nest built in platforms yet to be used by eagles, none is in a
another tree in the territory. In 1994, eaglesat plat-
territory known to have been occupied by eagles
form//3 successfully raised three young. Although in the last 20 yr. Elsewhere, platforms have re-
they were observed at the platform in 1995, they mained unusedfor manyyearsbefore attractingan
nested elsewhereand raised three young. Late in adult pair of nesting eagles.An oversized,solid-
the nestingseason,however,the nestblew down in base Osprey platform installedfor eaglesin Mich-
a storm and the pair moved with their recently igan in 1982 was not utilized until 1993 (S. Postu-
fledged young back to the nesting platform which palskypers. comm.).
they continued to use for the rest of the season. It is worth noting that in all three territories
The platform was used again in 1996 raising three
where breeding has occurred on platforms, the
young.
breeding pairs have moved to natural nestswithin
Although no nesting attempts have been ob-
the territory, and in one case,have moved back to
served at the Lake Ontario platforms, adult Bald
nest on the platform. This suggeststhat eaglesmay
Eagleswere observedin the vicinity of Platform//6
in 1996. prefer natural nest-sitesto platforms;however,plat-
forms provide a backup in casethe natural nest is
DISCUSSION destroyed.
The Bald Eagle population in southern Ontario Nesting platforms have been used successfully
has increased steadilysince 1980, when there was elsewhere in North America to replacenatural nests
only one possiblesuccessfulnest. In 1996, the pop- that have been destroyedor threateneddue to wind
ulation had increased to a total of 16 breeding and flood damage (Grubb 1983, Manion et al.
pairs, 10 of which were productive. Postupalsky 1992) or incompatiblehuman activity(Postovitand
(1978), observeda similarreturn of breedingea- Grier 1982). The availabilityof super-canopytrees
gles in Michigan, and suggestedthat artificial nest with open crownsis a key characteristicin Bald Ea-
supportssuch as platforms may provide the nec- gle nest-siteselection(Bowerman1993). We specif-
essarystimulus for nest-siteselection as eagles re- ically installedplatformsin formerly occupiedter-
326 HUNTF.R F.W•I•. VOI•. 31, No. 4

ritories where super-canopytrees were no longer fisheries and management. EcovisionWorld Mono-
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