Vancouver Insider

There are several viewing sites. They are all just around Squamish and Brackendale, about 1h north of Vancouver. If you follow the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler, you can't miss it. There's the (from north to south) Tenderfood Creek Hatchery, Eagle Run (best), Mamquam River and Squamish Estuary. At the Eagle Run site there are volunteers that have binoculars and valuable tips for best spotting practices. This winter, we went up there for the first time in the beginning of December. According to one of the volunteers the best time to watch the eagles is between dawn and 10:30am. Around this time these elegant birds feed on fish. After breakfast, they usually sit in the trees on the other side of the river and digest.

We were there around 8:30am. It was freezing cold and windy but it was worth it! We saw several eagles feeding on salmon by the river which was extremely cool! With my camera equipment (Canon EOS XSi + 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L) I was able to get some nice shots.















If you go there, please keep in mind that you shouldn't get too close to them. Use binoculars, stay on dikes and trails and stay off private land. If you bring your dog, keep it on a leash.

Some facts about eagles (thanks to the Eagle Watch Volunteer Interpreter Program and www.naturesquamish.ca):

• Weight: 3.5 - 5.6 kg (8-12 lb)


• Height: 0.7 - 1.0 m (2.3 - 3.3 ft)


• Wingspan: 1.8 - 2.3 m (6 - 7.5 ft)


• LiefspanL Up to 30 years in the wild, up to 40+ years in captivity


• Bald eagles mature at five years and have a white head and tail. Juveniles are a mottled brown color


• Only one out of ten eagles will survivie to the age of 4 years


• 70% of North America's bald eagles are found in British Columbia and Alaska


• On January 9th 1994, Squamish had a world record count of 3,769 eagles

When you're there, it is nice to stroll on the dike or take a walk on the trails!