Marsh Wren

• small insectivorous bird
• wetlands-dependent
• prefers cattails and other tall emergent vegetation
• rare in Hamilton-Wentworth.
• numbers have been increasing in Cootes Paradise.

Osprey

Osprey are fish eating birds whose populations decreased dramatically while DDT was still being used. Never recorded as nesting in Cootes Paradise before, a pair of osprey built a nest in 1997, though successful breeding was not confirmed.
Sora

• moderately sized, secretive marsh bird
• wetlands-dependent
• prefers cattails, sedges and rushes
• uncommon in Hamilton-Wentworth
• numbers are beginning to increase in Cootes Paradise

Interpretive displays are a feature of Royal Botanical Gardens. A new display "A Once & Future Paradise" tells the story of the changing nature of Cootes Paradise, both past and future and is available for viewing at the Nature Interpretive Centre in the Arboretum. A trail master plan envisions boardwalks and trails within the marsh and along the north shore, permitting access without jeopardizing environmentally sensitive plant and wildlife communities. Royal Botanical Gardens, McMaster University and the Bay Area Restoration Council developed aquatic plant growing programs for school children and arranged planting days for the public. Plants grown by the children are planted in the marsh.  Volunteers are invaluable- in replanting restoration areas in Cootes Paradise. An average of 5 planting days are held in the marsh each year with about 15 volunteers helping out each day.

Ducks

Cootes Paradise is a significant staging area for migrating waterfowl, especially in the fall. When the Fishway became operational, numbers of waterfowl in Cootes Paradise rose dramatically, primarily due to increased distribution and abundance of aquatic plants.
   In addition, waterfowl feeding in Cootes (northern shoveler, northern pintail, green-winged teal, and others) are staying longer. The hooded merganser- and ruddy duck, numbers have increased dramatically. The American coot, not recorded in previous surveys, was sighted in 1997 for the first time. These positive signs bode well for the future of Cootes Paradise as a migratory stop over.

Trails

The Desjardins Trail connects Princess Point to the eastern shore of Cootes Paradise. The trail provides access to the Cootes Paradise Fishway and is proposed to be part of a trail circling Cootes Paradise and connecting to the Hamilton Harbour shoreline and the City of Hamilton Bayfront Park.