Tips to Make the Most of Eagle Season

Tips to Make the Most of Eagle Season

On January 9, 1994, a world record of 3,769 bald eagles were counted at the annual Brackendale Winter Eagle Count. Since then an average of 1,300 eagles are counted in Squamish year-after-year. Learn how you can make the most of eagle season in Squamish with these great tips. 

1. Know When to Look

• Early morning: when eagles are searching for food after a long, cold night.
• Mid-afternoon: (Between 2:30 and 3:30) when eagles leave their feeding areas for their roosting spots to settle in for the night.

2. Know Where to Look

• Check the trees: Eagles spend most of their time roosting in tall trees. 
• Visit Eagle Run Dyke: A great location for cell phone and camera photography, offering views across the river to Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park (no public access). 
• Visit Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery: Open to the public seven days a week from 9am-3pm, they are a great place to view the eagles as well as a variety of salmon species.

See Our Handy List of Eagle Viewing Locations

Inside Information: After the world record-eagle count, Thor Froslev of the Brackendale Art Gallery and friend Len Goldsmith conceived the idea of establishing an eagle reserve in Brackendale. In October 1996, the 755 hectare Brackendale Eagle Reserve, now a Provincial Park, was approved as a protected area. 

2. Be an Ethical Eagle Observer

Ethical eagle viewing ensures the Squamish eagles come back year-after-year. Follow these viewing practices to keep eagle populations alive and well. 

• Keep your distance: Do not approach an eagle you see feeding on the shore. An eagle who is forced to leave its food may not return to it, and it needs to conserve energy to survive the winter.
• Do not use drones: Use binoculars or telephoto lenses to get a closer look. 
• Stay on the dykes: Please do not walk on the gravel bars or private land.
• Keep dogs on a leash: Do not let dogs chase wildlife.