Ripples from the Reservoir: The 2026 season begins
May 11, 2026 | By Sheila GossIce-free, the Waterbury Reservoir in early spring is still cold. Paddlers and boaters should take precautions with proper gear, including personal flotation devices. Photo by Sheila Goss
May is here, and the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir hope you enjoy this first Ripples column of 2026, where we share what is happening on and around the reservoir, provide tips and updates on conditions, and share our love of the natural environment of the reservoir.
A beaver on the shoreline. Photo by Sheila Goss
This spring, it seemed as though the ice would never leave, and that our cold winter would linger into May.
Finally, we are ice-free, and though the cold water requires extra protection, boaters have been enjoying a return to the water. Some of us, though well-equipped for cold water paddling, even got caught in a late April snow squall!
Be safe out there, enjoy yourselves, but please wear a life jacket.
Eagles have returned to the reservoir. Photo by Sheila Goss
Wildlife have also begun to visit the reservoir again. Of course, beavers and otters have been here all winter, but I think they are enjoying finally being able to wander through nice, clear water and on dry land.
Some great blue herons are hanging out at the southern end of the reservoir, while the northern end has seen green-winged teals, mergansers, mallards, osprey, belted kingfishers, spotted sandpipers, and our resident eagle pair.
Yes, our eagles have returned!
The bald eagles’ nest collapsed last July, just as the two eaglets were flying off on their own.
In November 2025, the adults were seen starting to rebuild the nest. Then winter came, the reservoir iced over, so we all waited until ice-out to observe the nest and determine if they would use it in 2026.
Recently, there has been one eagle in the nest, apparently incubating at least one egg. The second adult has been perched nearby, and even one of last year’s eaglets has made a return visit. We certainly wish them luck!
Photo by Sheila Goss
Common loons have been seen and heard in the southern end of the reservoir, and they will probably soon work their way north.
A new loon nest platform will soon be installed at the northern end of the reservoir, as we hope they will once again nest and incubate an egg, as they last did in 2023.
One uncertainty about our loons is whether our pair of loons remains intact as a couple. Last summer, one loon was found deceased on the reservoir, apparently the victim of a boat strike. We do not know if it was one of the bonded pair that died, or if the remaining loons will become a couple.
This unfortunate event is a good reminder that we should watch out for all wildlife while boating and give loons and other wildlife plenty of space.
Friends of the Waterbury Reservoir hats and bandanas for sale. (click to enlarge) Photo by Sheila Goss
In future Ripples columns, we will continue to keep the reservoir community informed about the many activities and programs that the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir support and promote. This includes the Invasive Species Greeter Program, for which we are currently hiring part-time greeters. If interested, find more details about these positions on our website here.
We are also proud of the Fishing Line Recycling Bin program, the loon and eagle monitoring efforts, organized clean-up days, nature presentations, and more.
This year, you can purchase Friends of Waterbury Reservoir merchandise to display your support of our organization. Check it out (photo) here. Details will be on the Friends’ website soon. In the meantime, feel free to email with an order request.
Canine Kanootti on the reservoir, wearing bright orange in a spring snowfall. Photo by Sheila Goss
Sheila Goss is vice president of the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir. Look for her paddling and shooting photos with her trusty canine companion, Kanootti.
The Friends of Waterbury Reservoir welcomes feedback below or comments and questions directly by contacting them through their website, friendsofwaterburyres.org.