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