Windsor Locks Canal Trail South Entrance Reopens Friday

The southern portion of the Windsor Locks Canal Trail will re-open Friday.

The trail’s access point in Windsor Locks has been closed since March 31. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection closed off about two miles of the trail to ensure the safety of a pair of nesting bald eagles and their young. The entrance has re-opened as the two young eagles are maturing and no longer need special protection.

“We are pleased to announce that two young bald eagles have successfully fledged and will be testing their new flying skills along the Connecticut River this Independence Day weekend” said Jenny Dickson, DEP supervising wildlife biologist, in a press release. “Temporary closure of the trail allowed the adult eagles to efficiently – and successfully – attend their nest and young during the inclement weather this past spring.”

The eagles likely nested on the trail because of its proximity to the Enfield rapids in the Connecticut River, according to the release. The shallow rapids give the eagles easy access to fish, a food they favor.

Bald eagles were absent from the state for nearly 50 years due to the effects of pesticides but returned in 1992. In 2011, there were 23 pairs of eagles in the state and 18 successful nests, which produced 29 new eagles. Those numbers are up from 2010, when there were 22 pairs, 12 successful nests and 23 new eagles.

“The public’s patience and understanding during the closure have been rewarded by the success of the adult pair on their first nesting attempt,” Dickson said.

As a threatened species in Connecticut, bald eagles are afforded special protection by state statute during their nesting season. The Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protect the birds on the federal level.

Find out more about bald eagles with this fact sheet from the Connecticut DEP.