A man in Comox on Vancouver lsland has been fined $10,000 for cutting a tree that had a Bald Eagle nest.
The man recently pleaded guilty in court in connection with the incident that happened in March last year.
B.C. Wildlife Act provides protection to birds’ nests by making it illegal to posses, injure, or destroy a bird or its egg.
Eagle nests are protected year-round, whether or not the nest is in use. The protection also extends to peregrine, falcon, gyrfalcon, osprey, heron, and burrowing owl.
Anyone who wants to remove the nest tree must obtain a written permit from the Ministry of Environment and check if a federal permit is also required under the Migratory Birds Convention Act.
Bald Eagles nest in large trees such as the Douglas Fir, and they often choose trees with broken tops, large open crowns, or a major fork which will support their massive nests, according to BC Ministry of Environment.
Bald Eagles nest close to their feeding areas, usually within a kilometre of shorelines, in order to minimize the energy used in bringing food back to the nest.
They prefer fish, but will also eat rodents, birds, small mammals, crustaceans, or sometimes dead animals.