Have you heard of Brackendale?
Neither had I when I first moved to the Sea to Sky region of British Columbia. The incredible west coast of Canada, is known not only for the bucket list destinations of Whistler and Vancouver, but also its glorious temperate rainforests and huge diversity of plants and animals, both big and small.
When Can I See Bald Eagles In Brackendale
Why Do Bald Eagles Visit Brackendale
Where Are The Best Spots To See Bald Eagles In Brackendale
What Other Animals Live In The Brackendale Area
The Wintering Bald Eagles of BC
How to get to Brackendale
The Sea to Sky highway is the a well known route that allows easy access between Mount Currie and Vancouver, also known as Highway 99. Only a 1 hour drive from the coastal city of Vancouver it is a great spot to catch a glimpse of one of the countries favourite birds.
Only 10 minutes south of Brackendale you will find yourself in the town of Squamish right at the tip of the picturesque Howe sound with an incredible view of the locals favourite, Stawamus Chief mountain. Even the drive alone is spectacular. You could be watching Bald Eagles in the morning and in the afternoon you can pick one of the many activities that Squamish has to offer, my favourite is hiking some of the local trails.
When Can I See Bald Eagles in Brackendale
You’ve decided you want to come and see the powerful bald eagles but when is the best time to see them?
Along the Sea to Sky there are some resident Bald Eagles that can be seen all year round however there is something special about Brackendale in the winter months, that brings a soar of eagles visiting the area. Bald Eagles are migratory birds that move throughout the year, in the summer months they live higher up in Canada for breeding, but as the temperature drops and the rivers start to freeze they head south in search of food.
The best months to see a Bald Eagle would be between November and late January, I can guarantee you will see a Bald Eagle.
Why Do Bald Eagles Visit Brackendale
British Columbia is a wonderful and fascinating place for so many reasons, one of them being a particularly special event that happens every year, that brings creatures big and small congregating around the rivers and streams: The salmon run.
You may have heard of this natural phenomenon happening in Alaska, from the famous photos of grizzly bears catching salmon but have you ever stopped to think of how many other animals benefit from this event?!
This is exactly why Bald Eagles love to visit Brackendale during these months, Chum is the main species of salmon in November and December that journey back up stream to spawn, making for a delicious meal for these beautiful birds.
The Best Spot To See Bald Eagles In Brackendale
The best locations to spot Bald Eagles in these winter months will be along the water ways as the salmon swim up stream to lay their eggs.
When you haven’t been to an area before it can be quite daunting deciding where to go, so when you head to Brackendale I have the best place for you to start your Bald Eagle viewing journey.
The Eagle Run Dyke
This is always one of my favourite spots to go to see this magnificent birds, there is a wide landscape with plenty to look out for. They could be high in the trees, along the sand banks or soaring high above. You may even catch a cheeky seal or two trying to catch their own salmon lunch.
The Eagle Run Dyke is a short walk that goes alongside the bank of the Squamish river, but if you plan on spending a good amount of time Eagle viewing, The Watershed has your back with a beautiful space to grab a bite to eat and fuel up before continuing on your search.
Along the dyke you will find the eagle viewing shelter, this includes an interactive display and information on the local eagles helping you with any questions you may have. How old is this eagle? How many have they seen in this area in the past. This information is there for you to find!
Respectful Bald Eagle Viewing
It is hard to explain the amazing feeling when viewing animals in the wild and in their natural habitat, it is such a privilege to experience and be a part of.
That being said, not everyone feels this way and it is extremely important that we respect their environment and be responsible when viewing them. For the Bald Eagles this is a vital time of year for feeding with an abundance of salmon to hunt however they are very sensitive to human presence.
Please be mindful of this when viewing our treasured Bald Eagles.
Respect their space
- Stay on designated pathways
- Avoid any large noises or sudden movements
- Enjoy from a distance, if you would like a closer look use binoculars or a telephoto lens.
- Keep dogs on a leash
What Other Animals Live In The Local Area
One of the things I love most about Canada is the abundance of wildlife that can be found here, it is one of the main reasons we came to Canada in the first place.
The Salmon Run is such a huge natural event that doesn’t only bring Bald Eagles down to the river banks. Salmon is also a vital food source for the black bears and grizzly bears known to the area. These big creatures are very sensitive to human interaction so you will rarely find them in populated areas, they are higher up the rivers into the valleys where there is less human activity.
Other wildlife known to live in the area are cougars, wolves, coyotes and deers just to name a few.
Squamish Eagle Watch
There is a volunteer led program called Squamish Eagle Watch, they are dedicated to the monitoring of these Bald Eagles each season and also educating the public.
Each winter they provide the opportunity for volunteers to get involved and help with the yearly Bald Eagle count, if you are around you can join in too! You can sign up to be a volunteer online and sign yourself up for shifts.
If you are interested you can see the latest Bald Eagle count below.
The Wintering Bald Eagles of BC
What an amazing experience it has been to live in an area that in Winter not a day goes by where I don’t see a Bald Eagle.
This is something I will treasure for many years to come.
Her Wild Habit | Travel and Outdoor Adventures 