| Bald Eagles arrive in Squamish BC. | | | | The closest Squamish accommodation to the prime |
| Once again our planet's largest gatherings of Bald | | | | eagle viewing area in Brackendale is the Sea to Sky |
| Eagles in underway in Squamish British Columbia, just | | | | Hotel & Conference Center on Highway 99 at |
| North of Vancouver BC, and just 50 km south of the | | | | Garibaldi Way. Excellent eagle viewing areas are only |
| world class Whistler Ski Resort. Based on population | | | | about a kilometer away. The hotel also offers discount |
| estimates, up to 5% of the world's bald eagles winter | | | | ski packages to those traveling to ski or board at |
| in the very this very accessible area. From one | | | | Whistler Blackcomb. |
| viewing space, often dozens of Eagles can be seen, | | | | There are other good viewing areas in town, |
| and a short walk in the right direction will allow you to | | | | particularly along the river dykes at the end of Judd |
| see many more. | | | | Road, and around the spawning channels between the |
| For decades, thousands of majestic Bald Eagles have | | | | Mamquam River and the Squamish Valley Golf and |
| been gathering on the riverbanks of the Squamish and | | | | Country Club. |
| Cheakamus Rivers, feasting on the ample salmon that | | | | Directions: To see the eagles from arguably the best |
| either did not quite make it to the spawning channels, | | | | viewing area, turn west from Highway 99 at Garibaldi |
| or have accomplished their life's goal, and thus have | | | | Way. This is a left hand turn if you are coming from |
| met their subsequent demise. Working to preserve | | | | Vancouver, or a right hand turn if you are coming from |
| their energy in the winter months, eagles will eat up to | | | | Whistler. Turn right again in about 20 metres at the |
| a two pounds of this high value protein every day. | | | | T-junction with Government Road. Follow Government |
| The highlight of the eagle-viewing period is the annual | | | | road for just under one kilometer, and you will be at |
| Bald Eagle Count, which will take place on January 8th | | | | the Eagle Viewing area. There is lots of parking on the |
| this year and is headquartered out of the Brackendale | | | | right and an interpretive center on the dyke from |
| Art Gallery. Using consistent methodology, a count of | | | | which you can get a great view of dozens of Bald |
| the eagles in the area on this weekend every year | | | | Eagles. If you are very lucky, there may also be a few |
| has been kept since 1986. In 1994 a world record 3769 | | | | seals around, as well as a variety of other bird species. |
| eagles were counted within a few kilometers of the | | | | On weekends from December to mid-February there |
| Squamish area and its tributary rivers. | | | | are often volunteers from Squamish's Eagle Watch |
| Bad weather can be good for eagle viewing as the | | | | program on have to offer more information and a |
| eagles tend to stay closer to the riverbanks and closer | | | | peek through higher powered telescopes. Other great |
| to viewing areas. When the weather is great, they are | | | | viewing areas are near the Tenderfoot Fish Hatchery, |
| more likely to be off for a little fly around the rivers, | | | | The Squamish Estuary, and near the Spawning |
| mountains and forests of the Squamish area. | | | | channels between the Mamquam River and the |
| One of the best ways to see the Bald Eagles in their | | | | Squamish Valley Golf and Country club. |
| spectacular surroundings right in their own habitat is on | | | | Squamish is an outdoor recreation Mecca with |
| an Eagle Float tour, or Eagle Safari through Canadian | | | | thousands of rock climbing routes, hundreds of |
| Outback Adventures. A dream experience for | | | | kilometers of Mountain Bike trails, a dozen excellent |
| adventure travelers, photographers, families, schools | | | | day hikes, some of the best windsurfing and |
| and educational groups, it is the best way to get up | | | | kite-surfing on the west coast of North America, |
| close to these raptors without disturbing them. While | | | | excellent white water rafting or kayaking, and scuba |
| they usually run white water rafting trips in the summer, | | | | diving in Howe Sound. For the less adventurous, there |
| in winter, Canadian Outback takes vacationers, school | | | | is fishing, 3 scenic golf courses, walking trails, beaches |
| and educational groups on float tours down the rivers | | | | and lakes, and sailing available. The new Squamish |
| in the area in order to see these spectacular birds in | | | | Adventure Center was recently opened on Highway |
| their natural habitat, all with stunning mountain and | | | | 99. |
| forest backdrops. | | | | |