PISCIVOROUS BIRDS of LAKE NIPIGON
PESTICIDE 7
Excerpts From: “Lake Nipigon” c. Lorne Townes
(with permission)
(with permission)
not dated but likely mid 70’s
Lake Nipigon is the largest inland lake in Ontario. It covers 1860 square miles. It has a 6000 square mile drainage
basin. Some 1500 rivers and streams are
tributary to Lake Nipigon.
“Despite the isolation of Lake Nipigon and the sparse use of
organochlorine pesticides in the watershed in the past, some predatory birds in
the area of the Lake are experiencing breeding difficulties associated with
pesticide contamination.”
“ An ornithologist from the University of Michigan is
investigating the states of fish eating birds of Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior
with particular emphasis on the Bald Eagle and Osprey.”
“ Of the avian predators in the Lake Nipigon area, the Bald
Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is in the most immediate danger; the local
population is on the verge of extinction.
Fourteen pairs of eagles produced only one eaglet in 1970. Two eaglets were produced by 16 pairs of
eagles in 1971.”
“The Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus) is the most graceful of the
aerial fishermen in Northern Ontario.
Although the species has some trouble reproducing successfully, there
has not yet been a notable drop in the Lake Nipigon Population. There are about 10 pair of ospreys on the
Lake. As many as five Osprey have been
observed fishing together in late summer.”
“Lake Nipigon supports approximately 34 pairs of Double
crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus).
The two cormorant colonies in the Northern part of Lake Nipigon are
among the few breeding areas remaining to the species in Ontario. The Lake Nipigon Cormorants are plagued by
reproductive failure, but are sustaining themselves by persistent re- nesting.”
( see Post “Have You Seen Any Dead Islands Lately” for Cormorant story.)
“The Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias) on Lake Nipigon does
not seem to be adversely affected by pesticide residues. A heronry in McIntyre Bay is used by about a
dozen pairs of birds which have no apparent difficulty rearing young.”
“ Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus)
Common Loon (Gavia immer)
and
Common Merganzers ( Mergus merganser) are prevalent on Lake
Nipigon and in most of Northern Ontario.
A few American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus ) are found in
marshy areas around the lake.
Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) are common along rivers
and streams in the watershed”
I was trying for a 2014 update but so far no reply from MNR.
The Post "Have You Seen Any Dead Islands ..." follows the ups and downs of the Double Crested Cormorant and the White Pelican on Lake Nipigon. (2011)
