There are an estimated, 25 Bald Eagle breeding territories within the City of Campbell River. According to the province’s Wildlife Tree Stewardship (WiTS) program (link to the report) the primary constraints to Bald Eagle nesting success are food supply, health of the eagles, availability of nesting and perch trees and disturbance by human activity. Preventing the loss of nesting and perching trees is a key component in assuring the long-term viability of the eagle population.
Bald eagles build large nests, often two metres across and weighing more than 500 kg. These huge weighty nests can only be supported by the largest trees in the area, in the past most commonly veteran Douglas-fir, often with a breast-height diameter of one to two metres. The preferred location of these trees is near the shore with commanding views of the ocean, and eagle pairs defend a nesting territory of approximately one kilometre of coastline. More information, including nest protection under the Provincial Wildlife Act and guidelines for behaviour in the vicinity of eagle nests may be found in a provincial Develop with Care publication (click here to read the eagle and osprey fact sheet (392 KB)) and in the City’s eagle brochure (914 KB). For development including land clearing within 60 metres of a known nest tree a City development permit is required
Click here to read more about eagle tree nest protection in developmental permit areas (269 KB)