Denman Conservancy Association

03/29/2026

Gravelly Bay Eagles

Dennis Forsyth writes:
Once again, the pair of Bald Eagles at Gravelly Bay are beginning the long process of bringing a new generation into the world. I have been monitoring this nest for the past several years and have watched as this pair successfully add to the population every year.

This nest is located at the top of a Douglas Fir across the small bay to the north of the ferry dock. It is a well-chosen site with a perch above the nest and several nearby perches offering great views up, down and across Lambert Channel. And from now until nesting season is ended the male will spend much of his time on one perch or another watching for chances to add groceries to the pantry at the nest site.

This nest is not particularly well suited to observation in the early stages of the process. It is quite a long way from my observation site and I cannot see into the nest cup. I can, however, watch and see some activity in the nest. For example, I am able to see when a parent stands up and seems to be manipulating the eggs. This happens a several times a day as it is necessary that the eggs be turned regularly. And I can also watch what I call the regular changing of the guard.

The female will do most of the brooding, up to 80% of each day, but the male will give her two or three breaks every day. Some of those breaks will allow her to find food herself but some of them also just give her a chance to do some flying and soaring. Having watched this pair over an extended period has given me some insight into the nature of their relationship. They communicate with each other quite effectively. Both male and female will let the other know when they feel that shift-change time has arrived. The female of this particular pair is always very prompt to respond and will arrive back at the nest almost immediately when summoned. The male is not quite so amenable and sometimes requires several calls before he responds.

The changeover process is almost always the same. The bird on the nest begins calling. The other one responds with a call. The bird on the nest then usually leaves and flies to meet the other and then, often, turns and accompanies its mate back to nest. The three images with this article show how this works. In this case the female was off on a break. When the male felt that it had lasted long enough, he began calling in the first image. She answered him and he immediately left the nest as she was approaching. Then he wheeled in behind her and followed her until she was settled back on the eggs.

I intend to try to observe this nest regularly until, hopefully, one or two young eagles successfully fledge.
Dennis

03/09/2026

01/21/2026

What do Beavers, Ukuleles, and Financial Reports all have in common?.....

You'll get to enjoy them all at the DCA AGM on Monday 23rd February!

01/12/2026

It only happens every two years. 2026 is one of those! Save the dates for the return of the iconic Denman Island Home & Garden Tour, June 13 & 14.

09/25/2025

Support DCA this Saturday!! Come get your books - last chance!

09/06/2025

Denman Conservancy's book sale by donation continues this Saturday and every Saturday until the end of September!! Lots of good reading for those rainy days coming up. 9 to 12:30 in the DCA room at the Old School.

08/16/2025

Denman Conservancy's fabulous annual book sale by donation starts Saturday August 16 at 9:30 am! Come and stock up on great reading for those lovely rainy winter days! There's something for everyone. Take a little/take a lot and donate to save Denman's natural areas!

06/01/2025

Boyle Point Eagles

Dennis Forsyth writes: The nesting pair at Boyle Point who occupy the most accessible nest for viewing are well on their way to a successful season. Their two chicks seem healthy and are growing rapidly. As of a few days ago the young are clearly growing out their first real, dark feathers and soon will lose a lot of the grey down that presently is keeping them warm while making them resemble nothing so much as a couple of old rug remnants.

The two babies seem to me to be almost the same size which is not always the case with a pair of chicks. In the past I have observed many cases where the first chick to hatch gains an immediate size advantage over its sibling. Usually a few days will lapse before the second egg hatches. Then, that first chick will be able to ensure that it gets fed first at every feeding and if food is at all limited it will always get more than the other. There is what I believe is a mistaken theory that a bigger sibling will commit fratricide in the nest and push the smaller chick out. I have never observed this myself in well over two decades of observing active nests and am sceptical that it actually happens.

Most observers will have noticed two facts about eagle babies. First, that like many open nest occupants, Eagles develop a way of defecating that doesn’t foul the nest. In their case Eagle babies very early learn that when the urge to defecate occurs they simply back up and balance on the edge of the nest, bum pointing out, and let fly.

The second thing to notice is that Eagle babies are ungainly, clumsy creatures. Heads seem too big for their bodies as do their feet. In moving around the nest, they seem constantly on the verge of tripping, stumbling and falling over. I suspect that many cases of a chick falling out of a nest are due to the combination of innate clumsiness and a precarious balancing act on an edge several times a day.

These shots were taken in the last week of May this year. They clearly show the development of juvenile plumage and the very similar size of the chicks. I could get very anthropomorphic here and suggest that these three shots look very much like a domestic drama. I can imagine that the first image shows an exasperated mother threatening that “I will tell your father if you can’t behave.” And then the arrival of dad with a, “Don’t make me come over there.” And, finally, two kids complaining that they never get to have any fun. Or, much more likely, this is just a normal, early-morning vocalizing by the female and a casual drop-in visit by the male.
Dennis

05/28/2025

Please drop by our Invasive Plants Display at this Saturday's Market - May 31st, 9:30-12:30 - at the DCA Booth!
We will have examples of the most invasive plants on the island and best methods on how to remove them. Lots of informative brochures too!

Drop by and ask any questions you have on supporting Denman biodiversity by eradicating invasive plants and planting native plants.

OLD School, Saturday May 31, 9:30-12:30 Please drop by our invasive plants display at the DCA booth at the Denman Island Market this Saturday May 31 9:30am - 12:30 pm. We will have examples of the most invasive plants on the island and best methods on how to remove them. Lots of informative brochure...