Muskoka River sighting

by Dave

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I studied birds of prey in my lone year at Sir Sanford Fleming College.

I learned how to to decipher through elimination.

Two weeks ago I paddled from Baysville to Fraserburgh Road on the Muskoka River with one of my sons.

On a short stretch of wilderness between cottages coming south off of 117 and north off of Fraserburgh Road, a large bird of prey flew over us and perched atop a tree down river.

My first thought was that it was a Golden, but knew it was extremely unlikely.

We lifted our paddles and floated downstream observing the bird. When we came close, it took flight and landed again down river.

We followed and I made sure to take in every detail.

It was no bird I had ever seen before. When I returned home I immediately grabbed my bird book and confirmed my suspicion. A Golden Eagle.

What makes this truly bizarre is that the last day paddle I had previous to this, in early July on the Snake Rapids section of the Madawaska, I saw a Bald Eagle.

Two consecutive paddles, two Eagles I'd never seen in Ontario before.

Hi Dave - I hope you don't mind, but I moved your submission from our comments section where it might only be seen my a few people, to this Eagle section where more people will read and enjoy it!

Thank you so much for telling us about your Eagle sightings!

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starstarstarstarstar 		Bald Eagle Sighting 🦅
by: Tosca Kennedy

On December 4th/2021 I saw a Bald Eagle circling over the bay in front of my friend’s cottage. She’s on Walker’s Point. The sun had just come out and the sky was brilliantly blue. It was about 2:00 pm in the afternoon. I noticed the huge wingspan and then a splash in the water below it. The huge bird continued to circle in Walker’s Bay, flying along the shoreline out towards the river. It was stunning to see. I tried to capture the bird in flight but was unsuccessful. However I had another friend with me and she saw it too.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bald Eagle feeding on Wolf kill
by: Anonymous

My wife and I were watching (through a telescope), a Wolf feed on it’s deer kill on Trading Bay in Dorset. While the usual carrion birds were there, we were very surprised and amazed to see a huge Bald Eagle in the mix. What an amazing sight, and unlike the crows and turkey vultures, he showed no fear. Very cool.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bald Eagle
by: Les Colbeck & Elizabeth Clarke

This afternoon near Dark Bay on Lake Muskoka my wife and I witnessed a bald eagle which flew directly over us. Absolutely beautiful
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bald Eagle!
by: Sara

A couple of days ago I walked out of my Milford Bay home, looked up and saw a Bald Eagle flying overhead ... what a beautiful sight 😊🙏👍
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bald Eagle in Milford Bay
by: Diane

I live in Milford Bay near highway 118. While walking the dog last week (February 17th) I noticed a large bird flying above and noticed the white head and tail and knew it was a Bald Eagle....what a beautiful sight! On another note, I was told a Cougar was in the Bay a couple of days ago, so I cant be looking up too much.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Washago Centennial Park Bald Eagle
by: Anonymous

My friend and I were walking our dogs today at the Washago Park public dock. The open water on the Green River was sporting at least 12 trumpeter swans and a few offspring. Very nice. But flying north up the middle of Couch was this gigantic bird which we assumed must be a heron. It then landed on the very top branch of a large Muskoka white pine close by. A Bald Eagle! Even nicer. Huge, and beautiful! Turned out to be one of the nicest dog walks we ever had.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bald Eagle Sighting
by: Anonymous

On my walk today along Bayshore Blvd in Huntsville, which is adjacent to Vernon Narrows, a couple of neighbour's dogs were out in their yard and started barking when they saw me. At first I was alarmed, but was soon grateful for the noise they created because I noticed that I was not the only one startled by them. Up above in the barren tree tops, a large bird flew ahead of me and settled in a forested area across the road. I managed to get a blurry photo of it on my iPhone. I am certain it is a Bald Eagle and the first I have ever seen - what a thrill!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bald Eagle sighting
by: JJ

This morning while driving on Hwy 60, I saw a Bald Eagle flying parallel to the highway between Huntsville and Dwight.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Eagles on the Muskoka River
by: Barb

February 2015 - I have seen Bald Eagles twice this month. Near the Brunel Locks on the Muskoka River, two flew overhead a couple of weeks ago and one, yesterday, chasing a flock of ducks. I have lived here over 20 years and this is the first sighting. Will be watching, heads up. I have check several bird books and there is no other bird it could be. We have had a nest of Golden Hawks for the past three years.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Muskoka River Sighting
by: Alexis

Apparently Bald Eagles are making a comeback in Ontario and I've seen a few Bald Eagles in Whitby, Ontario. In 2012 I saw two Bald Eagles and a Golden Eagle around Jackson's Point on Lake Simcoe.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bald Eagle at Jacksons Point
by: Anne Alsen

Today we saw a Bald Eagle at Jackson's Point, flying along the lake shore.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bald Eagles
by: Alison

I live in Paris, Ontario, and have seen three Bald Eagles recently. What a thrill to have these magnificent birds becoming more abundant.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Golden and Bald Eagles
by: Alexis

What a thrill to see this magnificent bird. I have only seen one Golden Eagle in Ontario. I've seen Bald Eagles in Thunder Bay, Jackson's Point on Lake Simcoe and at Lynde Shores Conservation Area in Whitby. I go every year for the Hawk Watch in the fall to Lynde Shores where birds of prey are identified and counted. I'm always amazed by the numbers and variety of birds of prey counted flying overhead. One of the top spots in Ontario to see Golden Eagles I understand is Alqonquin Provincial Park.

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