A controversial cone placed over an eagle’s nest during the construction of a nearby housing development in Wesbrook Place has been removed.
The nest, previously used by bald eagles, was coned in September 2022 during the construction of a highrise and townhouse development on a parcel of land known as lot 6, at the corner of Ross Drive and Birney Avenue.
Coning involves placing a metal conelike structure over a nest to stop the eagles from using it, with the intention to protect the birds when construction is underway in the vicinity.
An update posted on the website of UBC Property Trust (UBCPT) on September 17 said the BC Ministry of Forests requested an assessment to determine if the cone could be removed in September, one year before the coning permit was set to expire.
UBCPT along with Diamond Head Consulting determined the cone could be removed.
“Summertime is when eagles have migrated north, and with construction activity in the area currently being low, September is the only opportunity to safely remove the cone before the upcoming nesting season,” reads the UBCPT statement.
“Following this review of current and planned construction activity, the decision was made to proceed with cone removal on September 18, 2025.”
UBCPT says the nest will continue to be monitored for any eagle activity by an environmental consulting firm.
The removal of the cone will be welcomed by Wesbrook residents. An online petition started in 2022 which called for the initial coning permit to be rejected gathered over 19,000 signatures.
While construction continues at lot 6, it is not known if the nest will need to be coned again as construction commences on another nearby site known as lot 26, which is located at Ross Drive and Grey Ave. A Development Permit for lot 26 was issued on April 25, 2024 and preparatory work for construction began late last month. Plans for the site include a 16-storey residential tower with 214 units and eight 3-storey townhomes.
UBC Properties Trust says all development in Wesbrook Place is subject to the Protected Species Management Plan (2017) and in compliance with provincial regulations.
EMMANUEL SAMOGLOU IS THE MANAGING EDITOR OF THE CAMPUS RESIDENT.