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CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
Birds of prey used to keep other birds away from Muskoka landfill
'Hara' a Harris hawk watches over the District of Muskoka's landfills with handler Andrew Carroll with Royal Canadian Falconry. Using birds of prey to manage bird mitigation isn't a new thing but it is new to the District of Muskoka and some of its landfills. For the second year, Andrew Carroll with Royal Canadian Falconry out of Haliburton has been called on to bring his birds to help reduce health risks, property damage and even unwanted bird attacks on staff. Today, he's at the landfill in Bracebridge with 'Hara,' a Harris hawk he started training seven years ago. 'Falconry based bird control is using trained birds of prey like eagles, falcons, or hawks like Hara here to deter nuisance birds from specific locations. There is an abundance of gulls in the area these are gulls, and they are causing a disturbance for the workers,' said Carroll. Falcon at landfill 'Hara' a Harris hawk watches over the District of Muskoka's landfills with handler Andrew Carroll with Royal Canadian Falconry. (CTV News/Rob Cooper) The birds can also be a hazard to district staff because of the diseases they can carry. While the birds of prey will attack the unwanted birds at times, they mostly just help keep the birds away by fear. 'The instinct from the gulls is to leave the area because they don't want to be eaten by the predator,' said Carroll. 'In the past, the district has tried difference noise deterrents, they've tried decoys, different floating ribbons that are meant to detract different birds and they all were very temporary,' said Renee Recoskie with the District of Muskoka. 'They still kept coming back and they kept growing in concern, so this, so far, has been the only program we've seen it sort of better off for us.' Falcon at landfill 'Hara' a Harris hawk watches over the District of Muskoka's landfills with handler Andrew Carroll with Royal Canadian Falconry. (CTV News/Rob Cooper) 'It's very effective on sites like this where it's the gull's main food source. You are going to have to be here a lot because they are going to want to come in and eat every single day,' explained Carroll. And that is why they are here with the birds of prey almost every day during the summer. The program costs about $80,000 a year but the district says it is incredibly effective. As for the company that runs the birds, it says it does offer educational classes to the public out of its Haliburton office.
Hamilton Spectator
23-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Don't dump your ideas – Muskoka officials want to hear what you think about waste in the district
The trash talk in Muskoka continues as the district rolls out the next phase of its long-term waste plan. While the clear bag program, green bin expansion and shift to producer responsibility were key parts of the first phase of Muskoka's solid waste master plan (SWMP), the second phase, which began in early 2025, focuses on shaping the future of waste management. The district says public input will help shape a sustainable waste system, extend landfill life, explore post-closure disposal options and boost waste reduction and recycling programs. As of early 2023, about 74 per cent of the Rosewarne landfill's space was still available, according to the district's 2025 SWMP . Since opening in 2016, it has been filling at an average rate of 61,000 cubic meters per year. The landfill is projected to receive about 26,600 tonnes of garbage in 2025 from a permanent population of nearly 70,000 people. That works out to about 0.38 tonnes of waste per person, using up roughly 62,700 cubic meters of landfill space for the year. The bottom line is that Muskoka's only landfill is expected to reach full capacity by the end of 2038 and close in 2039. James Steele, the district's commissioner of public works, said public engagement is essential and offers a chance for people to glimpse 'what happens behind the scenes' in keeping the community safe and clean. He added it's an opportunity to recognize the 'dedicated teams' who keep people moving, water flowing, and waste properly managed. Muskoka's engineering and public works team will host its second annual Public Works Palooza on May 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rosewarne Landfill Site . Visitors can expect to learn about road maintenance, waste management, water and wastewater services, and more. Activities include free compost distribution (bring your own buckets and shovels), a vote to name the new compost turner, live falcon demonstrations by the Royal Canadian Falconry and waste diversion challenges. The event also offers an opportunity to explore careers in engineering and public works and to receive practical tips on protecting Muskoka's water systems, including what should not be flushed. Food will be available from the Windermere & District Lions Club barbecue (cash only). The event is open rain or shine. With new clear garbage bag rules already in effect and outside agencies like Circular Materials involved, the district is asking residents what should come next for Muskoka's waste system. There will be a series of public open houses in early June as part of the ongoing SWMP engagement process. The SWMP will guide how the region manages garbage, recycling and other waste over the next 30 years. Open house schedule: Online option: Megan Hederson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Huntsville and Lake of Bays for . The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
