It has been a few weeks since I have seen the Nith River eaglets. I have stopped by the nest a few times without any luck. Hopefully they are thriving wherever they are.
Quite by chance, while looking for possible locations where they might be fishing, I spotted a solitary great egret on a pond a few kilometres away. Members of the heron family they are a little smaller than blue herons and are often seen in close proximity to their cousins.
I have visited the pond now a dozen times in the past fortnight and have figured out her routine. There’s a tree where she sleeps between fishing sessions. On Wednesday I drove over to the pond just as a heavy rain shower came to an end.
Through my binoculars I watched her preening those beautiful white feathers. So I settled down on a large rock at the water’s edge which has become my regular spot. I think after so many visits the egret might see me as part of the scenery because she has wandered to within ten metres a few times, cautiously, of course.
After an hour or so I saw her stretch her wings and figured she would fly closer but instead she went back to her roosting state. A family of ducks suddenly appeared and lay down within a few feet of me. They are accustomed to people here as folks feed them.
When the egret did eventually fly she made her way quickly down the middle of the pond avoiding a pair of swans which, in comparison, are giants. She landed in a spot close to where a blue heron was fishing. When the heron objected she quickly flew up into a tree. That was my cue to be ready. I knew she was hungry or she wouldn’t have come over to my side of the pond.
She shifted position on the tree branch which was a clue that flight was imminent and then dove towards the water gradually levelling off until she was flying six feet above the water. To my delight she turned straight towards me. I snapped dozens of images as she approached.
Turning at the last moment she came to a stop with a clumsy landing in the water about 20 metres away.
I watched her slowly wander in the water almost every thirty seconds she would stop lower herself into position then strike catching a minnow in her beak. I could see the fish struggling at the end of her bill. Then with practiced movement she would toss the prey up and maneuever it into her mouth.
One evening last week, as I watched her from my usual perch, she suddenly pointed that long beak upwards. I saw another egret fly in and land in a tree. She joined the larger, and presumably male, egret before the pair took off together. I haven’t seen the male before or since although a few local residents told me they have seen them together in the past.
Encounters like these are wonderful. Spending time by a river or pond is almost always rewarding.
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UPDATE: Registration for my “Hidden Lives of Nith River Eagles’ presentation on September 17, 2025 at the Ayr Public Library is now open. It is a small room so those interested should register quickly.
Here is the link to registration – please copy and paste:
https://rwlibrary.libnet.info/event/14471336
Reading your article, I feel like I was at the lake myself and I have the impression that I saw everything that happened there with my own eyes. And the photos are simply unbeatable!!! They are wonderful!!! Thank you Paul!!!
Many thanks Vasylyna! Glad you enjoyed them.
Great pictures Paul!
Your stories of your encounters is very entertaining and as Vasylyna said makes one feel they are a part of the scene.
I have gone back to the nest site a couple times as well and have not seen the eaglets either.
I have been to the Mill pond in Hespeler and have seen the Egrets there at a distance.
They are truly gorgeous!
I have never seen at the pond in Ayr though( I think I know which one you mean) I do stop by there occasionally.
Your stories inspire others to have a deeper appreciation for these beautiful creatures and hopefully our natural environments as well.
Thank you!