Squamish eagle population reaches 18-year high: environment society

Bald eagles have returned to Squamish in an 18-year record high, according to the dedicated volunteers who made an annual count this week.

The Squamish Environment Society says 64 community members stationed at 17 areas, from downtown Squamish to the Stawamus River, counted a total of 1,288 bald eagles on Sunday, Jan. 5, as part of the 39th Brackendale Winter Eagle Count.

“We are pleased,” the society said. “This is our highest count since 2007 and is approaching the 38-year average of 1,318.”

High salmon rates and low water levels reportedly made for easy counting and will likely keep eagles in the area.

“With the good visibility, counters were able to recognize that there were many more birds than could be counted, particularly in the Ashlu and Elaho. They estimated that there could have been as many as 200 more birds than were counted,” the society said.

The Brackendale Winter Eagle Count has been an annual event since 1986. The society says the count total has varied from a high of 3,769 in 1994 to a low of 411 in 2016, due to changes in climate affecting migration.

“If Squamish River water levels are high in late November and during December, the spawned salmon in the lower portions of the river are washed out to sea. The eagles then move to shallower areas upriver as well as inland to the spawning channels, and it is more difficult for visitors to observe them. When the supply of salmon is exhausted, the eagles move elsewhere in search of food or look for alternative food sources such as ducks.”