Osprey lands top spot as Kawartha Lakes' bird
The osprey has a special perch in the Kawartha Lakes in more ways than one.
Also known as Ontario's fishing hawk, the bird has been named the "2024 Kawartha Lakes Bird of the Year." Voters cast the most ballots for the osprey at 41 per cent, followed by the black-capped chickadee in second place with 22 per cent of the votes.
After receiving "Bird Friendly City" certification on March 22, the municipality — in partnership with the Bird Friendly Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes coalition — launched an online poll to determine which favorite species of bird should be declared the official 2024 Kawartha Lakes Bird of the Year.
More than 500 participants took part in two rounds of online voting, with the first round of voting narrowing 11 species down to five finalists.
"The osprey soared ahead and took the lead, winning the contest and being declared the official winner," a media release noted.
When the online contest launched in April, Thom Luloff, professor of conservation biology at Fleming College, told kawarthaNOW he had a soft spot for the osprey, but kept his opinion under wraps so he didn't sway voters in any way.
"We are thrilled that the osprey has been chosen as the official city bird of the City of Kawartha Lakes," said Luloff in a statement on behalf of Bird Friendly Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes.
"The osprey is a magnificent raptor that symbolizes the natural beauty and rich biodiversity of our region," he said. "Its presence near our lakes and rivers highlights the importance of healthy, clean waterways and thriving ecosystems. As a bird that depends on both land and water habitats, the osprey perfectly represents the interconnectedness of our environment and the vital role we all play in preserving it."
The osprey also has an integral role in the identity of the Kawartha Lakes. While the bird is a common sight throughout the municipality, it is also featured as a central element of the City of Kawartha Lakes logo.
Residents and visitors can typically see large osprey nests perched atop many trees or hydro poles — a sign of efforts made by the community decades ago to ensure the ospreys made a comeback from dangerously low numbers, Kawartha Lakes noted.
The osprey is also always near water, such as the shorelines of large lakes, rivers, and ponds. Ospreys migrate to warmer climates of the south during the winter months.
In addition to the osprey and the black-capped chickadee, the northern cardinal secured the third spot in the bird of the year poll. The barred owl flew into fourth place and the eastern loggerhead shrike landed in fifth place.
To view the final results of the poll, visit the Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes Bird of the Year 2024 project page at jumpinkawarthalakes.ca/bird2024.
A bird-friendly city is described as a community where threats to birds are reduced, and nature is restored so native bird populations can thrive. Residents are actively engaged in admiring and monitoring local bird populations, and organizations host events to protect birds. Certification entails meeting standards to keep birds safe.
"Becoming a certified bird-friendly city is not just a title; it's a significant milestone for our community," Luloff earlier told kawarthaNOW. "It underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship and highlights our dedication to preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity that makes Kawartha Lakes so unique."
To learn more about bird-friendly initiatives in Kawartha Lakes, visit the Bird Friendly City page at the City of Kawartha Lakes website.
Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, KawarthaNOW
