The southern end of the popular Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail reopened July 3 after being temporarily closed to prevent disturbance to a pair of nesting bald eagles. A young bald eagle has successfully fledged from the nest and will be testing its new flying skills along the Connecticut River this Independence Day weekend. The public's patience and understanding during the closure have been rewarded by the success of the adult pair on their fourth nesting attempt. This eagle pair first nested along the canal trail in 2011 and successfully fledged two chicks. Nesting attempts in 2012 and 2013 were unsuccessful.
The temporary trail closure required a cooperative effort between the DEEP Wildlife Division, DEEP State Parks Division, the Friends of Windsor Locks Canal Trail, and Ahlstrom Nonwovens LLC, which maintains a lease agreement with the State of Connecticut to allow public access to the trail. However, a key factor in this effort was the public's willingness to respect the trail closure, reducing disturbance and giving the eagles the necessary space to successfully raise their young.
Image: Paul J. Fusco, CT DEEP.
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